The Source Person of the Week - Zip06.com

Sunday, November 27, 2022

The Source Person of the Week

The Source

Tess LeMay is the new Head Lifeguard at the Surf Club.

Photo courtesy of Tessa LeMay

Tessa LeMay: Keeping the Beach Safe

Published July 13, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Recent closures and hour restrictions at local beaches due to a lack of lifeguards is a reminder of how tough a job on the beach can be. It takes a very special mindset and skill set. Head Lifeguard at the Madison Surf Club Tessa LeMay is one of those special people who can watch your kids, bandage their cuts, and save their lives all in an afternoon’s work.

The Source

Madison native and actor Cooper Rivers didn’t immediately tell friends and family he was cast in a featured role in the latest Matrix installment, Matrix: Resurrections.

Photo courtesy Cooper Rivers

Lights, Camera, Action!

Published July 06, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Most folks would surmise that if you finally achieved a dream after years of hard work and dedication that you would broadcast it to the world, especially when that dream is of being cast in a major Hollywood movie. But Madison native and actor Cooper Rivers didn’t tell anyone but his family when he was cast in a featured role in the latest Matrix installment, Matrix: Resurrections.

Harbor News

After a 22-year career at Shore Publishing/Harbor News, former editor Brian Boyd will join the staff at the Vineyard Gazette, a storied 176-year-old weekly on Martha’s Vineyard, as the editor. Photo courtesy of Brian Boyd

Brian Boyd: Hail and Farewell

Published June 29, 2022 08:30 a.m.

I am going to break some time-honored rules about how to write a news story. In fact, I did it with the first word, I. In a news story, as opposed to a column, you never use I. If you have to refer to yourself, you do it in the third person: a reporter asked, not I asked.

The Source

As a longtime advocate for local youth, Marcy Beatty has coordinated the free, virtual The Transition to College Workshop on Tuesday, June 28. Photo courtesy of College Matters

Helping Local Youth (and Parents) Through Trying Times

Published June 22, 2022 08:30 a.m.

The transition from high school to college, or even just from high school to work, trade school, or job is an exciting time for many grads, but it can also be a time of great anxiety and uncertainty as well. Marcy Beatty has had several careers, but after serving with Madison Youth & Family Services for a decade and then getting her college counseling certification from UCLA, Marcy has dedicated herself to helping students make the leap into adulthood and the challenges that come with that change.

The Source

Wallingford Symphony Orchestra Conductor Philip Ventre brings his band to his hometown for the annual Fourth of July Concert on Saturday, July 2. Photo courtesy of Philip Ventre

The Maestro Returns to Madison

Published June 15, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Madison’s Fourth of July Concert returns after a three-year hiatus caused by weather and the pandemic, and the parade and fireworks display will also be making their return as well. Conducting the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra (WSO) for the concert will be Madison resident Maestro Philip Ventre, who comes from an incredibly diverse and talented musical background.

The Source

At High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Volunteer Director Michele Krumenacker has found a place to put her caounseling and organizing skills to work to help a wide range of clients find peace atop a two-ton horse. Photo courtesy of Michele Krumenacker

A Horse, of Course

Published June 08, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Sometimes help comes in ways that aren’t only unexpected, but downright counter-intuitive. Michele Krumenacker and the folks at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding in Old Lyme are among a select few in the area that perform an unlikely pairing of a two-ton animal with those in need of compassion and understanding.

The Source

After a career in public relations displaced his dreams of becoming a young, John Johmann has been able to nurture his theatric roots as executive director of Madison Lyric Stage, which is celebrating its 10th year in Madison. Photo courtesy of Madison Lyric Stage

A Return to Theatric Roots

Published June 01, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Madison Lyric Stage (MLS), originally conceived as a private performance site in a local barn, has risen to become one of the most innovative and cherished theaters in the shoreline

The Source

As someone who knew Paul Dostie from a young age, Jay Testori was devastated by his friend’s death to brain cancer last year. Now he’s helping keep his buddy’s legacy alive via the KARE Fest concert celebration on Saturday, June 11 at the Guilford Fairgrounds.

Photo by Ben Rayner/The Courier

Keeping the Caring Going Via the KARE Foundation

Published May 25, 2022 08:30 a.m.

When people we love die, memories, traditions, even a simple walk down the street can trigger the best and worst of our thoughts, bringing the pain and grief rushing back. But sometimes the recounting of those tales, forcing the recall of better times, can bring also relief.

The Source

Beth O’Keefe, who is co-chairing this year’s Nite in Hand festivities with Lisa Rana, promises the Daniel Hand High School Class of 2022 an evening of non-stop entertainment on Tuesday, June 14. Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

A Nite Like No Other

Published May 18, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Since 1989, the educators and parents of Madison have created a special and safe evening for graduating seniors. Though postponed and revamped the last two years due to the pandemic, this year’s Nite In Hand (NIH) event will come back as strong as ever, thanks to efforts of volunteers like Beth O’Keefe.

The Source

After 15 years in various positions at R.J. Julia booksellers, Lori Fazio is stepping up to the role of president. Photo courtesy of Lori Fazio

Sharing a Love for Books

Published May 11, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Despite several decades of prediction of the doom and demise of bookstores, the town’s iconic R.J. Julia Booksellers has not only survived, but thrived.

The Source

Madison artist and author Dianne Coyle wrote A Widow’s Spiritual Journey: Prayers, Reflections and Meditations for the Everday Catholic not to offer instruction, but the grieving move through the process. Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

Dianne Coyle: Taking Time to Reflect

Published May 04, 2022 08:30 a.m.

To say that grief is complicated is something that seems a bit obvious. As we all grieve and process the loss of loved ones in our own unique way, local author Dianne Coyle has compiled a lifetime of reflections on this topic in her new book, A Widow’s Spiritual Journey: Prayers, Reflections and Meditations for the Everday Catholic, not as a guidebook, but as a larger map to find one’s way past the darkness of grief.

The Source

George Marinelli Photo courtesy of George Marinelli

George Marinelli Proves It’s Cool To Be Kind

Published April 27, 2022 08:30 a.m.

A far as cool goes, Madison’s George Marinelli is pretty much as cool as the proverbial cucumber gets. A life-long musician whose list of playing and band credits is as impressive as it is long highlights the respect his fellow rockers have for this talented guitarist.

The Source

Between budgets, primaries, elections, and more, Republican Registrar of Voters Ann Devine says the Registrars Office is busy year-round. Photo courtesy of Ann Devine

Ann Devine: Stewarding a Stable Polling Process

Published April 20, 2022 08:30 a.m.

It’ safe to say that Madison’s new Republican Registrar of Voters Ann Devine grew up around a ballot box.

The Source

Rooting for her Yankees is about as political as it gets for Judy and John Tewksbury’s signs, but their messages of hope and joy keep a smile on the faces of her Opening Hill neighbors.

Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

Judy Tewksbury: This Must be a Sign

Published April 13, 2022 08:30 a.m.

At a time seemingly overrun with discord, even a small display of positivity can sometimes provide hope. The tight-knit community of Opening Hill has a small ray of optimism in its neighbor, Judy Tewksbury, aka “The Sign Lady.”

The Source

When Suzanne Hens-Kaplan retires in June as Guilford Art Center (GAC) chief financial officer and operations director, it will be knowing that, for 18 years, she’s helped GAC to become a “happy place” for many. During her tenure, non-profit GAC also grew, and has succeeded financially despite challenges including those wrought by the pandemic.

Photo courtesy of Suzanne Hens-Kaplan

Hens-Kaplan Helped Make GAC ‘A Happy Place’ for Many

Published April 06, 2022 08:30 a.m.

When Suzanne Hens-Kaplan retires in June as Guilford Art Center (GAC) chief financial officer and operations director, it will be knowing that, for 18 years, she’s helped GAC to become a “happy place” for many.

The Source

Since joining the Madison Police Department in 2015, Officer Ernesto Gonzalez says he’s found the ideal place to both work and raise a family. Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

Ernesto Gonzalez: When Service Is the Reward

Published March 30, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Officer Ernesto Gonzalez may hail from Puerto Rico, but his heart is here in Madison with his family and job. As a rising member of the Madison Police Department, Ernesto put his military training to use to craft a career in law enforcement that has led him to his dream job here in town.

The Source

A self-described city kid, Fran Brady has embraced the natural resources in his new hometown, Madison. Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

Fran Brady: Taking Time to Turn to Nature

Published March 23, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Fran Brady may have grown up a city kid on the streets of West Philadelphia, but he has developed a profound love and respect for nature that has made him an invaluable resource for Madison’s environment.

The Source

As a manufacturing and now design engineer, Wayne Hubbs has been able to bring a hands-on approach to his career. He takes a similar approach to supporting the efforts of Madison Boy Scout Troop 490. Photo courtesy of Wayne Hubbs

Wayne Hubbs: Scout’s Honor

Published March 16, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Wayne Hubbs says he has been “tearing things apart” since his childhood on Long Island, and that curiosity has gone on to serve him well ever since.

The Source

As an American of Ukrainian descent, Marika Kuzma has long shared her pride in her culture, most obvioulsy through promoting Ukrainian music as part of her professional career. Against a backdrop of a Russian invasion, she notes with hope that the people of Ukraine are resourceful and resilient. Photo courtesy of Lisa Keating

Marika Kuzma: Singing for Survival

Published March 09, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Marika Kuzma may have been born in Hartford, but her heart is all Ukrainian.

The Source

An afternoon weeding the E.C Scranton Memorial Library’s gardens led Master Gardener Smamntha Pullaro to lead a weekly question and answer session at the library.

Photo by Francesca Pullaro

Samantha Pullaro: The Butterfly Effect

Published March 02, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Master Gardener Samantha Pullaro may be your garden’s best friend. Her knowledge and love for gardening and native landscaping is making her passion an in-demand skillset as the planting season approaches.

The Source

David Ngeta and his wife Ndongo made the difficult decision to flee the dangers of their home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo and, after years of struggle, have found asylum and security on the Connecticut shoreline. Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

After a Life of Fear, a Sense of Security

Published Feb. 23, 2022 08:30 a.m.

The travels of David Ngeta and his family are truly ones of courage and determination. Seeking to flee persecution and unrest in his native Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), David and his family undertook an arduous journey to seek asylum in the United States and start their lives again, and just recently were able to begin their lives again in Madison.

The Source

Killingworth’s new leader, Nancy Gorski, is no stranger to town service. Photo by Tim Gannon

Nancy Gorski is Ready to Serve

Published Feb. 16, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Recently elected First Selectwoman Nancy Gorksi fell in love with Killingworth when she and her husband moved here in 1999. Since that time, Nancy has dedicated herself to public service and has a list of issues she is already beginning to tackle.

The Source

Madison’s Jason Gobleck won the Connecticut Senior PGA Professional Title this past August. Photo courtesy of PGA Connecticut Section

Jason Gobleck: Getting a Grip on his Game

Published Feb. 09, 2022 08:30 a.m.

It’s all about the grip, according to Jason Gobleck, and he ought to know. Jason won the Connecticut Senior PGA Professional Title this past August and qualified for a berth in the 33rd Senior PGA Professional Championship in October down in Port St. Lucie Florida. And if you don’t speak golf, that means Jason is a really, really good golfer.

The Source

In January, Marie-Louise Burkle marked her 20th anniversary as CEO of Autac, the company her father founded in 1947 and moved to its current Branford facility in 1977. This year also marks the 75th anniversary of Autac, a manufacturer of high-quality coiled cords often referred to as “curly cords.” Photo courtesy of Marie-Louise Burkle

Like Father, Like Daughter: Burkle Leads Autac

Published Feb. 02, 2022 08:30 a.m.

At Autac’s website, there’s photo from 1976 of a little girl keeping pace with a towering figure.

The Source

As a medical professional who has lived and worked in Iran, Australia, and the U.S., Farida Ahangari understands the difficulties of a carefully planned relocation. For refugees who flee their homeland with just the clothes on their backs, the situation is far more stressful, which is where Farida and Saints on the Shoreline step in. Photo courtesy of Farida Ahangari

Farida Ahangari: Heeding the Call to Help Refugees

Published Jan. 26, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Whether in Iran, Australia, or Madison, Farida Ahangari has made a difference wherever she and her family have lived. This Madison resident and citizen of the world continues to serve the community not only by her work as a medical researcher and professor, but as a lead volunteer for Saints on the Shoreline (SOS), a non-profit that assists refugees.

The Source

After 12 years and six terms, former Killingworth first selectwoman Cathy Iino hopes her commitment to politics as community involvement rather than party loyalty stays part of Killingworth. Photo by Amy Etra

Cathy Iino: She Did Something About That

Published Jan. 19, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Cathy Iino has been one of the longest serving town officials in Killingworth’s history and her dedication and loyalty to her constituents will not soon be forgotten.

Harbor News

In addition to rehabilitating birds of prey and crows, A Place Called Hope also conducts educational outreach program with birds that cannot be returned to the wild. Here, Christine Cummings introduces a class to one of the facility’s bald eagles. Photo courtesy of Christine Cummings

Christine Cummings: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Return

Published Jan. 12, 2022 08:30 a.m.

With A Place Called Hope serving for more than a decade as the region’s primary raptor rehabilitator, most people know that when they find an injured owl or hawk, Christine Cummings and her husband Todd Secki are the people to call.

The Source

When the pandemic separated choir members, local engineer Scott Chassé put his musical and technological savvy together to help keep the singers—and church community—connected. Photo courtesy of Scott Chassé

Scott Chassé: Keeping Voices Connected in Song

Published Jan. 05, 2022 08:30 a.m.

Many area religious institutions were hit doubly hard by the pandemic. Not only were services canceled or modified, but many events and choir singing were also canceled.

The Source

Madison’s Dr. Denver Fowler is working on preparing the nation’s next generation of educational leaders as department chair in the College of Education at Southern Connecticut State University. Photo courtesy of Denver Fowler

Denver Fowler: Setting Up Educational Leaders for Success

Published Dec. 22, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Dr. Denver Fowler has a long and quite impressive résumé of serving higher education that has just gotten even more so, after his appointment as department chair in the College of Education at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU).

The Source

Choosing Madison as a home base from halfway across the globe, Robin Miller has settled in and is serving the town and the world through the Rotary Club.

Photo by Ben Rayner/The Source

Robin Miller Settles In for Community Service

Published Dec. 15, 2021 08:30 a.m.

Robin Miller moved to Madison from Hawaii before ever even setting foot here because of the town’s reputation for great schools and relaxing living on the Sound. What she found here was a community of kindred spirits dedicated to principles of generosity and public service.