LIFE

It started as a dream four decades ago. The evolution of cable television allowed for cities and towns to create their own community access TV channels.

School administrators and teachers consider paraprofessionals, or paraeducators as they are also called, to be the unsung heroes of the classroom.

Pat Mahoney is one of those people who quietly make a difference by continuing to show up and roll up her sleeves.

The Newington Volunteer Fire Department has four active stations strategically located in various parts of town. There is also a fifth station that is home to the department’s cadet program and serves as a base for the Newington Retired Firefighters Association.

Summer is the season when thoughts turn to vacations, cookouts, trips to the beach and eating ice cream. Not that it doesn’t taste good the rest of the year, but there’s something about the hot weather that makes this frozen dairy treat taste that much more delightful. We decided to visit some family-owned ice cream shops in this area.

Kimberly DePaolis loves her job teaching pre-kindergarten at John Paterson School. She strives to perform at a high level and her peers took notice.

The gymnasium at Elizabeth Green School was buzzing with activity. Everywhere one looked there was something taking place to promote reading and literacy.

There is a certain feel to the Not a Phase Café at 1100 Main St. in Town Center that one notices on a first visit. That’s an intentional appeal conceived by co-owners Kim Parker and Jared Linn. Their eatery is a place where folks can enjoy breakfast and luncheon fare. The menu features breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pancakes and other food items. There are numerous hot and cold beverages with a seemingly endless selection of specialty coffees and teas.