LIFE
Our Editorial Team
John Fitts
Editor
Valley LIFE
John is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience that includes writing, photography and layout with such publications as the New Britain Herald, Farmington Valley Post, Canton Patch and Valley LIFE.
His true passion is community journalism, taking to heart the adage that all news is local, and everyone has a story to tell. He especially loves to speak to those who are quietly living life to its fullest while flying just a bit under the radar. When he is not working, you just might find John paddling the Farmington River, playing the mandolin, walking with wife April and pup Teddy or enjoying a cup of joe at Giv Coffee.
Tracey Weiss
Editor
West Hartford LIFE
Tracey Weiss has been a writer and communications specialist for four decades. Over the years, she’s been lucky enough to work in a number of industries and for what she calls “some really cool” companies and organizations, including RCA Records, The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Borders Books & Music, the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, Buzz Engine Marketing & Events, and more. She worked for LIFE Publications from 2001-2013 and returned in 2018 because she loves writing about people in all of their glory, beauty and occasional chaos.
Mark Jahne
Editor
Cromwell, Rocky Hill,
Newington, and
Wethersfield LIFE
Mark Jahne has been a print journalist for 43 years serving multiple towns in Greater Hartford. He is currently the editor of Cromwell LIFE, Newington LIFE, Rocky Hill LIFE and Wethersfield LIFE. Prior employment includes Imprint Newspapers and White Publishing/LIFE Publications, both in West Hartford. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and an active member of the Hartford Saengerbund, a German-American cultural club located in Newington.
Peter Marteka
Editor
Glastonbury LIFE
Peter Marteka’s career in journalism began covering local sports at the Middletown Press shortly after graduating from Muhlenberg College. From there he moved on to The Hartford Courant covering towns throughout Connecticut and began his popular and award-winning outdoors column which ran weekly from 1997 to 2020. His main beat with the Courant over the years was covering Glastonbury. Marteka remained on the Glastonbury beat becoming the editor of Glastonbury LIFE writing features, important news stories, taking photo galleries and still hiking, exploring and writing about the wilds of Connecticut.
Sarah Barr
Staff Writer
Sarah joined TurleyCT Publications in 2018 and writes for Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Newington, and Cromwell Life newspapers. She's a four-time News Emmy nominee who served as the Director of Communications and New Media for the City of Hartford. She is the CEO and Founder of her own writing and communications company, Washashore Writing, as well as an emerging screenwriter. Sarah earned her BA in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in politics and history from Temple University. Fun fact: Sarah started her career as a ballet dancer.
Mara Dresner
Contributing Writer
Mara Dresner is a long-time journalist whose work has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA), and the Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX). A member of SPJ and the Dramatists Guild, Mara is also a published and produced playwright, a voiceover artist and the author of a book about how to have a great staff meeting.
Maria G. O'Donnell
Staff Writer
A writer since age 5, Maria O’Donnell started freelance writing right out of college in 1988, focusing on community journalism since then and up to present day. She joined Turley Publishing’s local news in 2009. Formerly a contributing editor of a weekly Valley newspaper, Maria has had her writing in a number of diverse newspapers and magazines with work ranging from feature articles to essays to fiction and poetry. When not writing, she enjoys family and friends, reading, outdoor activities, health research, and the arts.
Natalie K. Pollock
Staff Writer
Natalie K. Pollock joined Life Publications in the early 2000’s to write for four town papers before becoming editor of Avon Life in 2007. After a hiatus she came back to write for Valley Life and West Hartford Life. Her career began as assistant editor of Connecticut Architect magazine and crafting editorials, marketing pieces and nonprofit development materials for the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, the Hartford Architecture Conservancy, Halcyon Ltd., United Technologies, and the CT Jewish Ledger, where she received two awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.
Carl Wiser
Staff Writer
Carl has been writing for Valley Life since 2024. A graduate of the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, Carl worked for ESPN for 21 years and was also a DJ on KC 101 and WHCN. He's the founder of Songfacts.com, where you can find the stories behind the songs.
Cynthia Martel
Page Designer
You will hear me say “I love my job.” I enjoy designing a publication that looks good and reads well while working under the pressure of constant deadlines. While working as a graphic designer for several years, I have branched out in to producing fine arts too. One thing I painted recently is this self-portrait in acrylics. My graphic arts background has always been in related fields starting at the age of 16. From a first job at a local newspaper to production manager for a large group of newspapers; to systems installation expert for the publishing industry; to owning my own sign business. It is all related. Using visual imagery and words to sell an idea, a story or a product. It is what I do. I hope you find my portrait fun.
Lisa Brisson
Staff Photojournalist
Lisa Brisson has loved every minute of working as a staff reporter and photojournalist for local community newspapers for the past 40 years. Fresh from journalism school, she started with the weekly Imprint Newspapers, Hartford Magazine and then to Turley Publications monthly LIFE news magazines. All of those publications have served as vehicles to highlight the positive people and events that make Greater Hartford a beautiful place to be. Lisa believes the best part of working in community journalism is having the opportunity to showcase the local characters and everyday heroes who are our neighbors.