LIFE

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.

When longtime parks and recreation superintendent William DeMaio announced his retirement, it caught the attention of Scott Kieras. The two men were well acquainted and Kieras was working as the director of the Cromwell Recreation Department.

Special honors often come to those who excel at a given task or career for a long period of time. That’s not the case with Emma Baker. A third grade teacher at Woodside Intermediate School, she is still in her 20s but already earning top accolades. Baker was recently presented with the Teacher of the Year Award for the Cromwell Public Schools.

There’s something soothing about the companionship of a well-trained dog. That’s one of many reasons why Principal Cara Quinn would like to add a trained therapy dog to the West Hill School staff. She had one on hand the evening of April 28 during the annual book fair and children flocked to pet it and make friends.

Talk about a Boy Scout always being prepared. Shalin Patel, 15, showed up to his conversation with Rocky Hill LIFE wearing a necktie. The 15-year-old rising junior at Rocky Hill High School had his facts and figures straight. He is a member of Troop 121 and hopes to earn the highest rank the Boys Scouts of America has to offer – Eagle scout.

A young couple with a passion for farming decided to take the plunge and open their own farm. Less than a year later, things are going well and they are beginning to enjoy the results of their efforts.