Issues. People. Events.

                                             By John Murray

Retired Waterbury firefighter Coral Barnes leaned against a new firetruck at the Willow Street firehouse during a dedication ceremony held this afternoon for the new apparatus. The image of Barnes at a ceremony where the firetruck was being baptized and blessed by Fire Department Chaplin Ronald Ferraro was especially significant since Barnes was seriously injured in an accident in 2007 when two Waterbury fire trucks collided, and Captain John Keane lost his life. 

                                                  By John Murray

   Lugging a dream around in your head for 15 years is tiring. The only path to freedom is to hurl yourself towards the fire and either transform the dream into reality, or fail trying. A dream without effort will never materialize, so it was with a sense of relief that I unchained one of my dreams last Autumn, and set out to create a multi-cultural festival in Waterbury celebrating the extraordinary diversity of the people living and working in the city.

Members of the Hellenic Dance Troupe (above and below) from the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Waterbury performed all weekend long at the 41st Annual Greek Festival. Photographs by John Murray

Spending a year in Greece was a dream realized. I had the extraordinary opportunity to explore Greek culture, tour the islands and the mountains, and discover buried secrets in my family's past.

                                           Story By Chelsea Murray

   Why Greece?

   That was the question people asked relentlessly, eyebrows raised, when I stuffed my possessions into a backpack and broken suitcase and jetted off to Greece for a year to study abroad. Greece is a foreign country, but my study abroad plan sounded especially foreign to my inquisitors. Why not London? Why not Spain?

   My answer was simple, “I’m Greek.”

Riders of previous National EMS Memorial Bike Ride. Photo by cherryhill-nj.com

   The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is proud to announce their 2013 East Coast Ride from Rockland, ME to Collingdale, PA. The NEMSMBR honors EMTs and Paramedics by organizing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.

                                   Photographs By John Murray

Runners surge from the starting line in front of Waterbury City Hall Sunday morning during the Children's Community School 5K. (More photographs inside)