(Danbury, CT - December 31, 2013) HamletHub News Service --
FOUR TALENTED LOCAL WRITERS
Here at the Danbury South HamletHub we welcome stories contributed by local people, including those from area companies and editors from other HamletHubs, but primarily. we rely on the work of four talented writers: Tom Zarecki, Janene Starr, Alicia Ghio and Gregory Wencek.
NON-TRADITIONAL BACKGROUNDS
Tom, Janene, Alicia and Gregory are the main writers for the Danbury South HamletHub. All four have non-traditional backgrounds in media, entertainment and communication, making them uniquely qualified to write for us.
THEIR STORIES, THEIR PASSION
We are pleased and proud to present their stories below, and ways you can contact each of them if you have a story idea or wish to contribute to HamletHub yourself.
To view their photos, use "PREV" and "NEXT" buttons below photo, above.
To read their bios, keep scrolling, below.
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TOM ZARECKI, EDITOR, DANBURY SOUTH REGION
Mr. Z is a life-long multitasker with decades of experience in new technology, including radio, media, music, advertising, sales and marketing, plus copywriting and newswriting and social media.
HELLO, YOU'RE ON THE AIR
As a high-school news reporter for The Hartford Courant's "Parade of Youth" magazine, Tom Zarecki used his early interest in news coverage to get jobs writing and talking at local radio stations. He parlayed these jobs into on-air announcing and news reporting positions at local radio stations WINE, WLAD, WXCI, WAXB, WREF, WMNR and WDAQ (98Q).
While still in college, Tom worked as a studio technician at WABC MusicRadio 77 and WPLJ-FM Rock'n'Stereo radio stations in New York City.
He also was the founder of Soundtrack Entertainment, a Danbury-based mobile DJ company where he was the DJ/MC/host at over 1,000 events over 20 years.
Tom was also co-founder, program director and very first morning show DJ at WRKI (I-95FM) radio in Danbury.
TRAVELIN', MAN
He later travelled the USA, coaching radio station management in 35 states to marketing successes, wrote monthly columns for Radio Ink and Talkers magazines, and spent 14 years as marketing director, head writer and spokesperson for Radio Computing Services (RCS), an international software firm with HQ in White Plains, NY. For RCS, besides USA travel, they sent him to events in Europe, Asia, and Australia.
TEACHING, TALKING, TYPING, TWEETING
Originally a music education major, later graduating with a BA, then years later his MBA from Western Connecticut State University, Tom is now an adjunct professor in both their Communication and Marketing Departments and is advisor to their campus radio station, WXCI-FM. In every class he spends time coaching social media usage and even has a session in "Professional Schmoozing". He's also the weekly DJ/host of "The Weekend Wakeup Show" Saturday mornings at WJMJ-FM radio in Hartford CT.
THE NEXT STORY IS YOURS
"Because HamletHub stories are 'hyper-local', about someone or something just down the street," Zarecki says, "Unveiling cool facts about a person, company, team or event is very interesting to people who otherwise may not know about it."
That's why Tom would like to tell YOUR story next.
Tom works closely with Gregory Wencek, editor of the HamletHub Danbury North region, entertainment reporter Janene Starr and "Local Food Rocks!" writer Alicia Ghio. Each of their bios and photos appear on this page, too.
Imagine a story about your company, a specific person or department at your company. Great stories about you (or what you're involved in) can be told right here on the Danbury South HamletHub.
Email Tom today: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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JANENE STARR, ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER, DANBURY
NOTE: to view photo of Janene Starr, use "Prev" and "Next" buttons below the photo, at the top of this page.
Ms. Starr is HamletHub Danbury South's very first entertainment reporter chosen to report on events, lifestyle and upcoming happenings within Danbury.
LOCAL REPORTER, LOCAL VIEWPOINT
As a long-time resident of greater Danbury, CT, Janene has spent many occasions seeing concerts and other entertainment events in Danbury (and all over Connecticut, for that matter) and has grown quite accustomed to the local music scene.
FINDING THE "HIDDEN GEMS" IN DANBURY
As an advocate of the arts, Janene's main objective is to find the hidden gems of Connecticut culture and bring them to readers. The twenty-one year old currently studies advertising and production at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY.
MUSIC, COLLEGE RADIO
When she is not busy working or writing, Janene enjoys playing guitar and hosting her own college radio show on WMAR/Marist Radio, the campus radio station.
To visit Janene's Facebook page for her radio show, click here: WMAR Marist College Radio.
To email Janene, click here.
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GREGORY WENCEK, EDITOR, DANBURY NORTH REGION
NOTE: to view photo of Gregory Wencek, use "Prev" and "Next" buttons below the photo, at the top of this page.
A native of Brooklyn, NY, transplanted to Connecticut in the late 1960's, Mr. Wencek took up residency in Danbury in the mid 1980's.
PAPER PERSON STARTS YOUNG
In Brooklyn, Gregory Wencek founded and edited his first News paper, The Weekly Peanut. Humble beginnings as a ¼ sheet mimeographed on two sides expanded into the school paper and a 12 page edition covering the 1965 East coast blackout. By 1966 efforts were scaled back, becoming his second publication, The Monthly Eagle.
MORE MEDIA MOVES
After moving to Newtown, CT, he eventually joined with others to form the 'alternative' High School paper. In college, at what was then Western Connecticut State College (now University), he was highly active with WXCI-FM Radio News. Gregory won an award for coverage of the Newtown Teachers strike for WXCI from the Associated Press.
An arts manager, trained both in New York city at the Performing Arts Management Institute and also in Danbury at The Ancell School of Business at Western Connecticut State University.
FIRE; FIRST AID
In his spare time, Gregory served as a volunteer firefighter, advanced first aid instructor and EMT, he became Chief of the Dodgington Volunteer Fire Department.
PRODUCER, TECH DIRECTOR, MUSICALS
In entertainment circles, Gregory produced a number of cabarets, served as technical director for Danbury's Shakespeare in the Park and was one of the founding members of Musicals at Richter in Danbury.
He also works together with HamletHub's Danbury South editor, Tom Zarecki, on numerous projects.
To email Gregory, click here.
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ALICIA GHIO, "LOCAL FOOD ROCKS!" REPORTER, DANBURY
NOTE: to view photo of Alicia Ghio, use "Prev" and "Next" buttons, at the top of this page.
Who am I? I am a local. Yes, born and raised in Danbury, Connecticut.
Despite my teenage angst, I did indeed come back to my hometown after college and realized it's not so bad. In fact, I kind of like it here.
WHEN IN DOUBT...GO BACK TO SCHOOL
I started out in print journalism, and then realized it was not the career for me. Since then I've had a varied career path – receptionist, technical writer and college counselor. Plus, I earned some extra degrees because when in doubt go back to school.
VIDEO PRODUCTION ON MAIN STREET
In 1999 I partnered with my then-future husband, Renato, to start a video production company, RmediA. Over 14 years later we're still doing our thing and just recently moved our studio to Main Street in Danbury.
EAT, DRINK, WRITE, REPEAT
Basically, here's what I do: I eat. I drink. I write about it. That's it.
FOOD RULES!
Outside of work, I write the food blog Local Food Rocks, where I share seasonal recipes and videos as well as restaurant reviews and events. I am a passionate home cook on a mission to inspire and encourage people to know where their food comes from, to know what's in it and to savor the flavors of fresh, local ingredients.
You see, back in the summer of 2005 I started to think about what I eat and where my food comes from. I always considered myself a healthy person, but then I started reading food labels. I was shocked at what I was unknowingly putting into my body; things I couldn't pronounce and way more processed sugar than I thought possible. That's when I decided I needed to raise my awareness and take control.
Avoiding processed ingredients, I began buying more organic and whole foods and started going to local farmer's markets. Things not only tasted better and I felt better too. I couldn't wait to share my excitement for this way of eating with everyone. Thus, my video series The Natural Princess and my blog Local Food Rocks were born.
I have done live cooking demos, most recently at The Taste of Danbury. I write a culinary column for The Tribuna and was named a Local Food Champion on Fresh Nation. Previously, I contributed a novice gardening column/diary to the website Local In Season.
YOUR FOOD IDEAS WELCOME
You could say I am always up for some good food and for telling a good story. I look forward to sharing my local food adventures with Hamlet Hub readers.
VIDEO: To watch me and others talking to the crowds at The Taste of Danbury. click here.
VIDEO: To see my short (but exciting) kitchen demo using zucchini flowers, click here.
To email me, Alicia Ghio, click here.
