August 16, 2009

Deputy Editorial Page Editor Tom Condon was a guest speaker at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center’s Salon on July 23. Condon discussed several hot button issues such as transportation, jobs, and improving neighborhoods and the school system in Hartford.

Thank you to everyone who planned, worked, attended and donated to the Alice Morrin Benefit Dinner on July 29. More than $36,000 has been raised for the Morrin Education Fund – a fund created for the education of Alice’s daughters Erika and Shannon.



Governor Rell checks out the silent auction items and talks with Alice’s daughter Erika as Walter Mealy (Alice’s dad) looks on.



Fox 61 Morning News anchor Sarah French and Alice’s daughter, Erika Morrin, stop for a photo as they meet and greet hundreds of guests.



Tom and Walter Mealy (Alice’s brother and dad) thank friends who helped organize the dinner and silent auction.

August 23, 2009

FOX 61’s Frank Zakrzewski and Paul Tyler (in the foreground) are pictured here shooting a spot at the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Fairfield Fire Department Boot Drive. The spot will be used during the MDA’s telethon, which is scheduled to air on FOX 61 on Monday,
Sept. 7.



On Aug.15, anchor Erika Arias kickedoff the opening ceremonies for the first annual Dixwell Children’s Arts Festival on the Q Plaza in New Haven.




TOP TEN (50) LIST...
Hartford Magazine recently announced this year’s 50 Most Influential and Richard Graziano, publisher of the Hartford Courant and general manager of WTIC/WTXX-TV and Courant columnist Helen Ubinas made the list. According to the magazine, the 50 Most Influential are “the movers and shakers – those who have helped shape the area’s look, feel, culture and vibrancy in a positive way.” Professional and community involvement also were major factors. Individuals from a variety of categories were considered including business, government, the arts, education, nonprofits, sports and the media.



“Not, me thinks, in this era of cutbacks and job consolidations: Out of sight, out of mind, out of job?” -- From Jim Shea’s August 19 column titled, “Plan Your Vacation Defensively”

August 30, 2009

Representatives from Dress For Success Hartford and Whole Foods posed for a picture with the FOX 61 Morning News Team after an interview that helped promote their eco-friendly event which took place at the Glastonbury store on Aug. 21.



Does this scene look vaguely familiar? Reporter Jim Altman persuaded several members of the FOX 61 News team to pose in a fountain at Riverfront Miniature Golf in Unionville and reenact the opening from the hit show “Friends” for one of his stories.



FOX 61 Reporter Laurie Perez is seen here with Rafael Bautista, director of provider relations of the Community Health Network of Connecticut Foundation and Sylvia Kelly, president and CEO, also of the CHN of CT Foundation. The organization held its annual Cornell Scott Memorial Golf Classic on Aug. 24 at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.



Kudos To Bessy Reyna
On Sept. 20, the Connecticut Center for the Book at the Hartford Public Library will present the 2009 Award for Lifetime Achievement in Service to the Literary Community to our very own op-ed columnist Bessy Reyna.



“In the garden, nobody really cares what you look like, what your job is or what your politics are. It’s neutral turf for those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty.” -- From Rick Green’s August 21 column titled, “Hartford Residents Getting Themselves Back To The Garden”

September 6, 2009

FOX 61 Morning News anchor Logan Byrnes takes a quick photo with celebrity TV chef Jacques Pepin at the New Haven Food & Wine Festival on August 26.



FOX 61 Morning Show meteorologist Joe Furey, anchor Sarah French and floor director Katrina Ensign attended the American Idol concert at the XL Center on Aug. 15.



FOX 61 Morning Show traffic reporter Rachel Lutzker (left) and meteorologist Joe Furey (second from right) stopped by Grossman Nissan in Old Saybrook for the dealership’s Car Giveaway event. They helped root on Hartford Courant reader/FOX 61 viewer Lisa Wisniewski, who was trying to win a new Nissan Cube. Wisniewski did not win the car, but did go home with a Caribbean cruise.



43 donors from the Hartford Courant/FOX 61 participated in a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross on Aug. 20. Donations resulted in 37 productive units of blood. Special thanks to all of the volunteers for helping to save lives!



“I used to believe that if you made an effort to keep up with today’s technology, you wouldn’t be left in the dust. Now I’m thinking even if you do make an effort to keep up, you still may end up a shrinking emoticon in the culture’s rear-view mirror.” -- Jim Shea from his Sept. 2 column titled “iPhone Is The Mothership That Someday Will Control The World”

September 13, 2009

Despite the difficult economy, contributions and pledges to the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon over Labor Day, which aired on FOX 61, totaled nearly $60.5 million nationally.



FOX 61 reporters Jim Altman and Laurie Perez got decked out for the MDA’s pretelethon party that was held at Mohegan Sun on the evening of Sept. 6. The duo emceed the party and later appeared as hosts of the telethon.



FOX 61 Morning News anchors Logan Byrnes and Sarah French donned their best apparel for their MDA telethon hosting duties. Recently French was also named FOX 61 Midday anchor.



FOX 61 News at Ten anchor Erika Arias and her daughter Annika join reporter Narmeen Choudhury at the Bloomfield Senior Center Sept. 1 to help celebrate National Senior Center month. photo/Chip McCabe



On Sept. 30, the Hartford Courant and the World Affairs Council will hold a Key Issues Forum titled “Globalizing Connecticut – How Are We Doing?” at St. Joseph College in West Hartford. Deputy Editorial Page Editor Tom Condon will moderate the forum, which begins at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending this free program can register online at www.ctwac.org, or call the World Affairs Council at (860) 241-6118 for more information.



“But we also met a lot of proud and hard-working people who are hanging in despite the odds; investing in their city and neighborhood with hope that enough care and determination could turn things around.” -- From Helen Ubinas’ Sept. 10 column titled, “It’s Time For Us To Give Garden Street A Hand.”

September 20, 2009

On Friday, Sept. 11, the United Way held its 18th Annual Day of Caring. Hartford Courant and FOX 61 were proud to have four teams participate this year, offering their time and skills at local nonprofits in the Greater Hartford region. It was a fun day for all of us and a great way to give back to the community.



These are members of my team – Hartford Courant’s Nancy Mendez (foreground) and Jaya Ganta. We spent several hours cleaning apartments and washing windows at St. Luke’s Elder Care Solutions in Middletown. We were later treated to lunch with the fabulous ladies of St. Luke’s.



This team of dedicated Hartford Courant employees, lead by Sales Manager Taniel Santourian, spent the day cleaning from top to bottom the Stanley Whitman House – a National Historic Landmark and Living History Center – in Farmington.



Here’s a crew! Lead by Interactive & Integrated Sales Manager Michelle Ryan (pictured second from left), this team of Hartford Courant and FOX 61 employees had the pleasure of doing outdoor work in the rainy weather. But from the looks of it, they still had a good time cleaning up brush and weeding at a home in Farmington. photos/Chip McCabe



FOX 61 reporters Jim Altman and Laurie Perez wowed the crowd at this year’s Camp Courant Buddy Bash, which was held on Sept. 10 at Batterson Park in Farmington. Jim and Laurie did a fantastic job emceeing the event and the live auction. Thanks to them – and the staff, volunteers, businesses that donated and the guests of the event – thousands of dollars were raised to help the children of Hartford enjoy six weeks of fun and learning at Camp Courant.



Here I am pictured with my husband Rosario at the Buddy Bash. While I was busy volunteering my husband, who came as my guest, bid on many silent auction items, which were really amazing!

NOTE - The gab incorrectly reported in the Sept. 6 issue that Grossman Nissan Car Giveaway contestant Lisa Wisniewski won a Caribbean cruise.

September 27, 2009

FOX 61 traffic reporter Rachel Lutzker (second from left) hosted VAZ – The Exclusive Ladies Night Out on Sept. 17 at the Society Room in Hartford. Attendees were treated to exclusive fashion, accessories, beauty, home decor, and other fabulous fun vendors.



Also on the evening of Sept. 17, Morning News anchor Logan Byrnes emceed the grand re-opening ceremonies for Hoffman Toyota in West Simsbury.



FOX 61 reporter Jennifer Lahmers, assignment editor Nick Caito, and anchor Sarah French attended the 17th Annual Michael Bolton Charities Benefit Concert to benefit women and children at risk of domestic violence. Our late colleague and friend, Alice Morrin, was honored at the event.



Key Issues...
Deputy editorial page editor Tom Condon will appear live on the FOX 61 Morning News on Sept. 29 to discuss the Globalizing Connecticut Key Issues Forum, which takes place on Sept. 30 and is cosponsored by the World Affairs Council. The forum will be held at Saint Joseph College from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register online for the free program at www.ctwac.org or call the World Affairs Council at (860) 241-6118.



“The next time someone famous slips – and it will happen – we, the non-celebrities in the cheap seats, can band together and reject the inevitable public apology. That doesn’t mean we don’t accept the apology. Instead, we acknowledge we’re not owed one.” -- From Susan Campbell’s Sept. 20 column titled, “Spare Us The Empty Apologies; We’re Not The Ones Hurt”