Roz is a lead member of the Madison 200/America 250 committee and has worked
countless hours to help the town celebrate its illustrious history. She has lived in
Madison for many years and reminisces about the beauty of the beaches and living on
Island Avenue, near the famed Princess House.
Rosalyn Cama is President and Principal Interior Designer of CAMA in New Haven, a
health design studio and lab that has spearheaded the evidence-based design
movement.
Todd Vetter has served as the Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church in Madison
since 2016. A dedicated community leader, he is passionate about fostering connection, service,
and inclusivity through the church’s outreach programs and partnerships. In this interview, Todd
reflects on Madison’s strong sense of community, the importance of preserving local traditions
while embracing change, and his experiences serving the town and its residents.
Episode 3: Janet and Jerry Connolly
Thia chats with Janet and Jerry Connolly, owners of the Madison Audubon Shop. On Janet’s father’s recommendation, Janet and Jerry Connolly opened the Audubon shop in Madison in 1986. Since then, they moved their store to a historic home and expanded their offerings to optics. Jerry, a part-time musician when the store began, has become a devoted birder, much to his surprise. Janet and Jerry have been involved in the Madison community and have plenty of insights on how it has grown and changed over the years.
Episode 4: Teen Talk with Kasey Chen and Red Vuolo
Tanner talks to Kasey Chen and Red Vuolo, two recent Daniel Hand High School graduates. Kasey and Red talk about what Madison is like for teenagers. They highlight their favorite spots in Madison for dinner or ice cream and the one-of-a-kind parts of Madison that make it feel like home.
Episode 5: Laura Downes: Extraordinary Madison Volunteer
Allison interviews Laura Downes. Laura may know the Scranton Library better than anyone we know – from the geothermal system in the basement to the solar panels on the roof and everything in between. She and her husband, Bill, raised three daughters here, and she’s volunteered on town committees, at the polls, at her church, and at the library. Laura served as Interim Director of Scranton and helped shepherd the building through its recent renovation project.
Episode 6: Michael Perry: Madison Neighbors Magazine
Tim talks to Michael Perry, publisher of Madison Neighbors Magazine. This monthly publication is sent to many homes in Madison and showcases a local family on the cover each month. Michael is a marketing, advertising, and business development executive with expertise in brand building, new product introduction, account management, and operations. Michael is also an active member of the Madison Chamber of Commerce.
Episode 7: Peggy Lyons: First Selectwoman
Peggy has been serving as Madison’s First Selectwoman since 2019. In addition to her role in local government, she is an active mom of two children and has previously been a member of Madison’s Police Commission, Board of Finance, and Economic Development Commission. Peggy reflects on her early memories of moving to Madison and discusses the changes the town has undergone. She also shares her hopes for the town’s future.
Episode 8: Dorota Xeller: From Poland to Madison
In this episode, Thia interviews Dorota Xeller. Originally from Poland, Dorota settled in Madison with her husband to raise their children. She teaches hundreds of children music every week and still has time to be an avid reader and a regular visitor to the library. Dorota is currently helping the Madison Historical Society celebrate Madison’s 200th anniversary.
Episode 9: Jack Hughes: Madison Youth and Family Services
Tanner interviews Madison native Jack Hughes, Program Coordinator at Madison Youth and Family Services. After earning a degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he returned to his hometown to support local youth through mentoring, leadership programs, and community service initiatives. In this interview, Jack reflects on growing up in Madison, the importance of building strong community connections, and his passion for helping the next generation thrive.
Episode 10: Bob Donahue: Active Volunteer
Allison interviews Bob Donahue. As a Director at Webster Bank, an active volunteer, and a member of Madison’s Board of Finance, Bob knows this town well. In this episode, listen to Bob share memories of the days when he visited Madison as a child and why it means so much to him to live in our community now.
Episode 11: Chad Lyons: Inventor and Photographer
Thia interviews Chad Lyons, a graduate of Daniel Hand High School. Chad is an inventor as well as a photographer for the Special Olympics. He has also been involved with the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame and the Madison ABC Program.
Episode 12: Roxanne Coady: RJ Julia Founder
Allison interviews Roxanne Coady, founder of the beloved R.J. Julia Booksellers in downtown Madison, with a second store in Middletown. Driven by her love of books and desire to create a space where ideas and conversations thrive, Roxanne established the bookstore in 1989. She has brought hundreds of authors to Madison and interviewed many of them herself. Roxanne also created Just the Right Book!, a personalized book subscription service, and Read to Grow, an organization that works to improve early literacy for all Connecticut children.
*New episodes will be added here weekly.
Credits:
Hosts:
Allison Murphy, Library Director
Tim Kellogg, Head of Public Services
Tanner Mroz, Teen Librarian
Thia Wrightsman, Reference Librarian
Editor:
Faye Staschke
Producer:
Scranton Memorial Library