Community Access

We spoke with Mark Moriarty, CEO of First Tee Connecticut, about their participation in the Birdies for Charity program at the Travelers Championship. First Tee Connecticut introduces golf and life skills to young people aged 5 to college, emphasizing the importance of learning and fun.

We spoke with Beth Hines, Executive Director of Community Partners in Action (CPA), about the organization's mission to help individuals transition from prison to community life. CPA, with roots back to 1875, operates reentry centers in Waterbury and Hartford, providing essential services like housing and employment assistance.

We spoke with Richard Wyman, Executive Director of the Community Music School in Essex, about their participation in the Travelers Championship Birdies for Charity program. The school, which has been operating for 42 years, offers private music lessons and various programs for all ages, including an intergenerational string ensemble, a New Horizons band for retirees, and Music Together classes for...

We spoke with Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, about the challenges faced by the organization due to rising costs and increased food insecurity in Connecticut.

We spoke with Marissa Weidner, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Webster Bank, about the bank's involvement in the Travelers Championship and the Birdies for Charity program.

We spoke with Glynn Hawley, Director of Operations for the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), anout the 2026 event, aiming to raise $79 million for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The event on August 1-2 will feature 6,000 riders starting from Holy Cross in Worcester and Boston College in Wellesley.

We spoke with Eric Harrison, President and CEO of the United Way for Central and Northeastern Connecticut about The United Way which serves 56 communities in Connecticut, focusing on child literacy, financial stability, and workforce development. Their Rapid Response Fund provides $100,000 annually to prevent homelessness.

We spoke with Kim Morgan from Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County about their work in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship, serving over 14,000 students annually.

We spoke with Ilene Frank, Executive Director of the Connecticut Museum for Culture and History about the museum's significance as it celebrates its 250th anniversary, founded in 1825, a year before the 50th anniversary of the American Revolution.

We spoke with Kevin Kinsall, principal trumpet of the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, about his insights on learning the trumpet and his 11-year tenure with the orchestra.

We spoke with Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube about the Birdies for Charity program, which offers a 15% match on donations thanks to Webster Bank and Aetna. Over 220 charities are participating this year.

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi from Columbia Dental about his lifelong dream of providing dental services seven days a week, inspired by his mother's distress with a toothache.

We spoke with Ed Matz, Executive Director of Connecticut Sports Management, about the ShopRite Nutmeg State Games.

We spoke with Andrea Pecoriello, co-founder and executive director of Sweet Pea Bakery, about their nonprofit in Norwalk, Connecticut, that employs adults with developmental disabilities.

We spoke with Adrian Sylveen, Artistic Director of Virtuosi Opera about the company's history and current productions. 

We spoke with National Coast Guard Museum President, Captain Wes Pulver of the U.S. Coast Guard about a national museum being built in New London, Connecticut. 

We spoke with Aidan Ramirez who is a student at the University of Hartford. Aidan is making his Hartford Stage debut in the ensemble of Native Gardens.

We spoke with David Oliver, founder of Diabetes Plus with Dave, and Dr. Laura Christoph, a professor at the University of St. Joseph, about the Thrive 2026 study and an upcoming walk event for people with diabetes.

We sat down with Vinnie Infante, owner of Lion’s Den Coffee in Southington, to talk about his inspiring journey from longtime Bristol police officer to local small‑business success story.

We spoke with Joyce Bray, President of the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative about the Connecticut Race in the Park at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain on May 9, includes a 5K run, survivor breakfast, kids' runs, and various family activities.

We spoke with Joy Peck, a registered nurse coordinator, and Kirsten Foster, a registered nurse, from the Smiley Cancer Center at St. Francis Hospital to discuss the upcoming Cancer Survivor's Day celebration on June 7.

We spoke with Events & Communications Manager Jenn Frontiero and Membership & Development Director Kate Kobs about the 2026 WEHA Health and Wellness Expo on Tuesday, May 19, from 12 to 3 PM on Isham Road in Blue Back Square. The event offers local health and wellness businesses a platform to showcase their services, including traditional medicine, physical therapy, fitness, mental health,...

We spoke with Mimi Madden, programs consultant for American Mural Project about the America 250 celebration with various programs, including personal storytelling, historical presentations, and live performances.

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi, founder of Columbia Dental about their locations and oral cancer awareness month.

We spoke with retired police officer Vinnie Infante about giving back to the community through his amazing coffee shop.