Jennifer Carello, President
Jennifer and Bill Carello moved to Redding with their two young children in August of 2004 from Norwalk, CT. After finding out more about the town and all it has to offer, Jennifer and Bill decided that Redding would be an ideal place for them to settle down and raise their family.
The Redding Neighbors & Newcomers club has really made this town a "home" to Jennifer and her family. She feels connected to her community by the people she has met through the club. Jennifer previously served as Chair of Sunshine & Hospitality and as the Club's Webmaster. She now is enjoying her position as President.
Dana Basta, Vice President Adult Special Events, Co-Chair
Dana and Chris Basta moved to Redding in July of 2002. Having lived in various parts of Fairfield County, they knew that Redding had the serenity, open space, and education system in which they wanted to raise a family. In May of 2003, the couple was overjoyed with the birth of their first child, Allison. Soon after, Dana and Allie began attending a playgroup sponsored by Redding Neighbors & Newcomers. From playgroups to children’s events to adult nights-out, the family has enjoyed meeting new people through RN&N in the years since. 2005 brought the birth of their son, Charles (Charlie), and Dana’s involvement with the club began to increase.
Dana has since served as the 2002/2003 Playgroup Coordinator as well as the Co-VP of Adult Special Events. Dana is looking forward with great anticipation to a successful year full of exciting activities and collaboration as she returns to the Board for a second term as Co-VP of Adult Special Events.
Suzanne Falowski , Vice President Adult Special Events, Co-Chair
Vice President Interest Groups, Amy Paladini
Amy and Vincent ("Vin") Paladini relocated to Redding from Old Town, Alexandria, VA in October of 2004. Redding was certainly a change of pace from the bustling Washington, DC suburb, but Amy and Vin have enjoyed the more family-friendly environment that Redding provides to their three-year-old son, Peter, and the son they are expecting in November. Since Peter isn't old enough to be enrolled in the public school system, Amy found it difficult as a stay-at-home-mom to meet new people in the area. The perfect remedy was joining Redding Neighbors & Newcomers. The Paladini family has attended many functions through the Club and have made some great friends in Redding as a result. Amy enjoys participating in the Cooking Club on a monthly basis and will join in at a game of Bunco every now and then. Amy joined the Board as Vice President of Interest Groups in September of 2006 and is excited about the new people she'll meet by attending the numerous events that the Club sponsors throughout the year.
Charlene Coccoli , Vice President Membership
Charlene and Antonio Coccoli moved to Redding with their daughter and two week old son in 2004. After living in New Canaan CT for ten years they felt it was time to find a new town to raise their children. Antonio is a teacher in Fairfield County and knew the Redding educational system and community was the best choice for their family. Redding has been perfect for the Coccoli family and their two dogs. They enjoy hiking the beautiful trails, riding bikes and letting the children explore the outdoors. Charlene was looking for a way to make friends and connect with the community. The Redding Neighbors and Newcomers club was suggested and became the best bridge into Redding. After being a member for one year Charlene became a co-chair of the Children's Programs. The club has given her the opportunity to make life long friends and therefore, it seemed like the perfect decision to take the V.P. position of Membership in hopes of helping others create new bridges in Redding.
Shannon Craley, Secretary
Danielle Caldwell, Communications
Danielle and her husband, Mike, moved to Redding in 2005 from Chappaqua, NY. Given their love for nature and animals, they instantly knew Redding was the perfect place for them. Upon the arrival of their son, Graham, Danielle met some of her very good friends through the RN&N 2005 playgroup. Since being on the board, Danielle has really enjoyed the opportunity to meet people throughout the town and to participate in lots of fun activities. She and her family love to explore all of the wonders of this most unique place.
Bob
Susalka
, Treasurer
Laura Hoeing, Fundraising
Laura and her husband Mark moved to Redding in June of 2005 from Yonkers, NY, where they had lived for four years. Mark accepted a job opportunity in CT and moving to a smaller community was great since they have three small children: ages 5, 4 and 2 and another on the way!Redding Neighbors and Newcomers seemed like a natural place to try to connect with other Redding residents socially since their children have not yet enrolled in the Elementary School. Mark grew up in southern NH and likes the feel of the beautiful Redding landscape, and Laura grew up in neighboring Wilton, CT, and is enjoying her return to the area.
Karlin Perry, Community Service
Viola Yee, Hospitality/Sunshine Chair
Sandy Lugar, Children's Programs Co-Chair
Anna Pizzo, Children's Programs Co-Chair
Christine Auber Bauersfeld, Children's Programs Co-Chair
Christine Auber and her husband Michael Bauersfeld moved to Redding from Stratford, CT, in October 2005. While they loved their former neighborhood, the Bauersfeld family was growing out of their house; and thinking ahead to their children’s entrance into school, they decided to relocate. Redding was a natural choice since it seemed to be the place they always wound up when they went driving around on sunny autumn days looking for a great place to hike. Now that they have settled in a bit, the Bauersfelds find that their new neighborhood is friendly, fun, and welcoming. Even better, through the Redding Neighbors & Newcomers club, their “neighborhood” extends to all of Redding. Since she loves working with children (she is a reading teacher and a private tutor), Christine felt that joining the board as co-chair of children’s programs was a natural choice.
Marissa Latshaw , Advertising
Marissa and Pete Latshaw moved to Redding in August of
2003. After living in a condominium in Old Greenwich,
their new house provided the chance to stretch out and
enjoy the serenity that is Redding. The one thing they
missed about Old Greenwich was the sidewalks. So they
decided that Redding Neighbors & Newcomers provided a "sidewalk” to the Redding community — the perfect opportunity to get out and meet their neighbors.
In August 2005, they welcomed their first child,
Michael. Shortly after his arrival, Marissa met other
new mothers through RN&N playgroup, and Michael met
his first friends!
Marissa has recently begun to coordinate the 2005
playgroup and is excited to apply her sales and
marketing skills to the Advertising position.
Cathy Ann Drury, Publicity
Todd and Cathy Ann Drury, along with their two boys have been Redding residents for over 5 years. This unique country town feels like home to their family. From the beginning, it has been through this club that Todd and Cathy have met some of their closest friends. Soon after they moved in, Cathy joined the board as Secretary to learn more about all areas of the club and to see what she could do next. Cathy has served as VP of Interest Groups for two years, founded the Cooking Club, and holds the position of Publicity Coordinator. Her husband Todd, along with Michael LeBlanc run the Redding Barn Raisers which is a great guys night out event.
Lisa LeBlanc , Webmaster
Michael and Lisa moved to Redding from Easton in April 2003 with their two children and 7 months pregnant with twins. They looked for homes all over Fairfield County and stumbled on Redding and fell in love with it right away. They loved the charm and sense of community that Redding offered. It took a while for Lisa and Michael to get involved in the newcomers group because of their busy schedule, having twins and a two toddlers. Once they got involved, it made living in Redding that much better. We have met some wonderful friends through the group and hope to be members for long time. Redding is where they consider home to be for the long haul!
Cathy Kane, Immediate Past President
Cathy and John Kane purchased their home in Redding during the fall of 2000. Nine months later they welcomed their first child into the world. To meet other new mom's, Cathy, decided to search out the Redding Neighbors & Newcomers Club for possible Mom and Tot groups for her to join. She was surprised to discover how much the Newcomers club had to offer, and before she knew it, had become very active in not only the children’s activities but the adult ones as well.
After being a member for over a year, Cathy joined the board as vp of membership. After 2 years as the clubs vp of membership, Cathy was then elected president for the 2005 and again for the 2006 term. Cathy and John, now have 3 children, 2 dogs and lots of wonderful friends that they met through the club.
Honorary Members
Christine and Henry Polio
Christine and Henry Polio became honorary members of the club in 2004. Both Christine and Henry were chosen to be honorary members because of their many years of service and participation. Christine has been on the Board of RN&N for 10 years, 6 of which she served as President. And if that weren't enough, Henry has been our "Santa in disguise" (shh, don't tell the children) for more than 12 years! But their participation doesn't end there; you will always find one, or both of them, still enjoying the activities and interest groups that the club offers. Thank you, Christine and Henry, for the years of dedication and energy that you poured into the club!
Honorary Member
First Selectman, Natalie Ketcham
First Selectman, Natalie Ketcham, became an honorary member of Redding Neighbors & Newcomers in 2003. She was chosen to be an honorary member of our club because of her many years of service to Redding and also because of her years of service to RN&N (she was President of the RN&N club during the years 1985 and '86).
