Community Access

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, chiropractic, senior care, and spa services.

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. 

We spoke with Board member Melissa Tweedie and Executive Director Michaela Fissel about Advocacy Unlimited. 

We spoke with Associate Director/Associate Choreographer Emily Rafala and their Dance Captain Melissa Green about the show the upcoming show at Warner Theatre.  

We spoke with Kathy K. Taylor, Esq. President and CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation about Give Local and the Foundation.

We spoke with Elicia Pegues Spearman CEO of the Girls Scouts of CT about a new girl scout cookie and that cookie season is underway.  

We spoke with Founder and Director Helen Chase of The Social Chase about an upcoming event.  

We spoke with Sheree Marcucci Director of Special Events and Curated Programs Palace Theater Waterbury about two upcoming events. 

We spoke with Wayne Pesce about the Connecticut Food Association.

We spoke with Kyle Eagleson who is President and CEO of Ascend Bank.

We spoke with Connecticut Author Jennifer Mancini who wrote a children's book.

We spoke with Bonnie Meyers and Brendan Faulker who are with Brain Injury Alliance of CT.

We spoke with Julie Cruz who is the Director of Assisted Living Home Care Services.

We spoke with Melissa Cooney who is a reporter for NBC 30. They are doing a podcast.  "Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case" by NBC CT. 

We spoke with Founder of Columbia Dental, Dr. Abbas Mohammadi about how the office offers free cleanings.

We spoke with Board President Edwin Thrower about the 2026 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival. It is a fun night of Shakespeare-themed music, performances, and games. Don't miss Shakespeare Fun Night — “The Bard at Barcelona” on Thursday, March 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Barcelona Wine Bar, 971 Farmington Avenue, in West Hartford.

We spoke with Jack Barrett who plays Grover in the show who talks about the premis, the music, the stage, costumes and more!

We spoke with Quinn Blake and Sophia Parente who are both playing Matilda in Matilda Jr. They talk about the show and sing a song together.

We spoke with Chris Gagne from the Branford Compassion Club about an upcoming event. This fun gathering will help raise funds for the care and medical needs of stray, abandoned, and feral cats in the greater New Haven area.

We spoke with President and Founder Donna Palomba about Jane Doe No More's programs and the 15th Annual Gala and Dr. Henry C. Lee Awards. 

We spoke with Chief Executive Officer Eric Person about the Connecticut Home and Remodeling show from March 6-8. 

We spoke with Show Organizer Kristie Gonsalves and owner of The Local Fly Co Chris Parisi about the Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show at Mohegan Sun from March 20-22.

We spoke with Dawn Rousseau, Broker Associate for Showcase Realty, about the current buyers and sellers' market.

We spoke with President and Director Ann Cianciolo about how people can foster and adopt cats from Foster and Forever Pet Rescue and the upcoming Boot Scootin' for Felines Fundraiser on March 22. 

We spoke with Director of Learning and Social Impact Andrew Robbin about upcoming events from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

We spoke with Founder and CEO Lab Ryan Gresh about The Feel Good Lab's individualized treatments for chronic pain with natural plant-based products and how The Feel Good Lab can help you live as the best version of yourself.

We spoke with VP of Operations Kevin Gagliard and Director of Quality Chris D'Auria about what's new at Pepe's Pizza. 

We spoke with the director of Matilda Jr., Lili Eleanor Jacobs, and Senior Director of Education, Talent, and Business Design Kristin Davis, about the upcoming show Matilda Jr. at The Bushnell. 

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi about Columbia Dental's 25-year anniversary. 

We spoke with Executive Director Jeff Dunn and Director of Programming and Education Andrea Bingham about the upcoming shows and events at the theatre. 

We spoke with Big Sister Mary Mackey and Little Sister Charlize about their rewarding experience at Big Brothers Big Sisters and how people can get involved as a mentor in the organization. 

We spoke with President and CEO, Michael Smith,  and Director of Integrative Health Coaching and RN, Jennifer Terray, about the nation's first Brain Health and Dementia Prevention Clinic located at LiveWell in CT, how to reduce risk of dementia, and how LiveWell can help.

We spoke with Mike Monaco, co-owner of Monaco Ford, about his induction into the Connecticut Veteran's Hall of Fame and how he supports veterans around the state.