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BRISTOL — The Connecticut Women's Volleyball Hall of Fame recently held an induction ceremony in November to recognize and honor the achievements of those who have contributed to the enhancements of women's volleyball.

Two women from Bristol were honored into the Hall of Fame including Stacy Rivoira for Scholastic Coach and Coral Richardson for Honorary Nominee. Rivoira and Richardson join Gail Ericson, also of Bristol, who was nominated for Scholastic Coach in 2009.

All three inductees graduated from Bristol Eastern High School and coached in Bristol.

“All the sports and teams that I have had the luxury to play on specifically the sport of volleyball helped me grow as a person and athlete and provided me with positive influences in my life,” Coral Richardson said. “When you love something, it is hard not to strive to do your very best.”

Richardson began playing volleyball in 1974 during her senior year at Bristol Eastern High School. In 1975, she went on to play volleyball at Southern Connecticut State College for

four-years. The Owls won the 1977 New England Volleyball Championships.

Richardson also played basketball for four-years and softball for one year at SCSC.

Upon graduation, she continued to compete in numerous tournaments traveling throughout the northeast with the New England Yankee Volleyball Association and in 1990, she began competing in National USA Volleyball tournaments.

Richardson has also competed in the Huntsman’s World Senior Games in Utah over the last twelve years and has been awarded six Gold medals, two Silver medals and two Bronze medals. A highlight in Richardson’s senior career was qualifying for the Senior USA team that traveled to New Zealand to compete in the World Master’s games.

Richardson has continued her playing career as she is still involved in the beach and grass volleyball circuit. However, her playing career is not the only thing that made her eligible for the hall of fame. Richardson is also an accomplished coach that coached at Bristol Central during the 1980’s as well as an official.

Her coaching career spanned over two decades as she also coached AAU and USA Juniors Club in Connecticut. She has also officiated high school, AAU, USA Club and NCAA volleyball matches.

Richardson resigned in 2001 and has since found a passion for Pickleball.

Rivoira, on the other hand, is a Bristol, Connecticut native and 1988 Bristol Eastern High School graduate. While at Bristol Eastern, Rivoira was a four-year participant in the volleyball, basketball and tennis programs.

She was a three-year starter and senior captain in all three sports. She also won three state championships at Bristol Eastern, two in 1986 and 1987 for the volleyball team and one in 1987 for the girls basketball team.

Upon graduating, Rivoira went on to play volleyball at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. A four-year starter for the Skyhawks, she was named captain her senior year, as well as being selected to the Northeast All-Conference team.

Rivoira would continue her athletic career as a volleyball coach at her alma mater Bristol Eastern, coaching for twenty-three seasons, the last thirteen as a varsity head coach. She was an assistant coach to Gail Ericson winning the 2005 CIAC Class L State Championship.

In 2006, her first year as the head varsity coach, the Lancers went 25-0 and won the CIAC Class L State Championship. In those thirteen seasons, her teams made it to the CIAC State Tournament quarterfinals or better eleven times, won twelve Central Connecticut Conference South Championships, four Central Connecticut Conference Championships and two CIAC Class L Championships in 2006 and 2012.

She coached over forty-six All-Conference players, sixteen CIAC All-State players and one Hartford Courant Player of the Year. She compiled an overall record of 248-56, posting a 143-5 record in the CCC South matches.

Rivoria also went undefeated in the CCC South her final eight seasons, winning her last ninety matches. She was inducted into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

Rivoria credits her father, Dave Mills, for being a clear role model and influential coaching figure in her life. Mills was a football coach at Bristol Eastern High School for twenty-six years and consistently demonstrated strong moral character, maintained high expectations, a tireless work ethic and an undeniable desire to make a difference in every life he touched.

He demanded accountability and worked hard to be a knowledgeable and educated coach who passionately displayed his love of coaching whenever he stepped on the field.

Inside the Bristol Bazaar, long tables are covered with handmade products from more than 50 vendors, arranged beside Christmas trees, garland and other festive decor.

The business is a showcase for local makers, and it features everything from handmade earrings to succulents in animal-shaped pots.

Care Verikas and her husband opened the space in July. And while it hasn't been open long, it's the kind of place state officials want to highlight in their new push to shape Connecticut's image.

Gov. Ned Lamont and staff from the Department of Economic and Community Development recently visited the market to launch the state's new "Make It Here" branding campaign. Two of their goals for the initiative are to increase state pride, and create a clear-cut identity for Connecticut, said Anthony Anthony, the state's chief marketing officer.

“We want people to recognize that there's a lot more to this state than they expect," he said.

Connecticut businesses are a major focus of the campaign, which highlights products made in the state, ranging from helicopters to renowned pizza.

Advertisements will appear on billboards, on Metro-North trains and at Bradley Airport. The campaign also includes social media ads, public contests, grants and "experiential" opportunities, according to an announcement.

“The thing for me that’s amazing is the exact focus on people that are making things with their hands in the state,” Verikas said.

The state's last branding effort, the “Still Revolutionary” campaign, which ran from 2012 to 2019, was less focused on the local economy.

Chris DiPentima, CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, said he's excited to see businesses highlighted in the new ads.

“I think it will really help charge the business community cause," he said. "There's a lot of optimism out there amongst our membership.”

The new marketing push was prompted in part by a recent survey that suggests local pride is lacking in Connecticut. Only about half of residents who responded to the poll said they're proud of the state. Less than a quarter said they would recommend Connecticut to others, even though most said it's a good place to live.

“Pride is what our new state brand and the ‘Make It Here’ campaign is all about,” Lamont wrote in a LinkedIn post. “I want the world to know who we are, what we do, and what we stand for, and for our residents to be proud of it.”

The department set aside $1.8 million to develop the new brand and pay for advertising.

“We are trying to be as efficient and prudent with our usage of taxpayer dollars as possible,” Anthony said.

The campaign includes a short video, titled "The Makers Manifesto," which bills Connecticut as a place of "artistic triumphs" and "scientific breakthroughs in medicine and aerospace." A narrator adds that the state is also "one of the best places on earth to build a family, a business, a home."

Nick Lurie, a marketing professor at the University of Connecticut, said the campaign targets several audiences. But there's a risk the state's messaging might be too broad.

“They're trying to appeal to both businesses and families, kind of all takers," he said, "and maybe they have to as a state government, but it's not going to be as effective as if they could be more targeted."

Verikas said's she excited about one distinctive feature of the campaign: the new logo. It looks like a letter “C” with a sideways "T" cut into it. Businesses can change the color and incorporate their own branding.

Verikas said the logo can be unifying for the business community.

“It shows that we're still all in this together,” Verikas said. “Yes, we're all doing the same thing, but you can have your own spin on it.”

The state plans to survey people again in a year to gauge how Connecticut’s image has changed.

When she was launching her market, Verikas found it hard to make business connections and get help developing her concept. With Connecticut's new marketing push, Verikas said she thinks it'll be easier for entrepreneurs to find resources in the future.

“I think that helps tremendously,” she said. “And I think our mission just really aligns with what the state is now working towards and working on.”

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We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Living in Bristol, Connecticut, encapsulates a fusion of community pride, sports enthusiasm, and a cozy suburban lifestyle. In central Connecticut, this city thrives on a tight-knit community spirit combined with a range of urban amenities, picturesque parks, and a charming downtown area which offers a balanced lifestyle. So whether you’re searching for apartments in Bristol, homes for sale, or want to learn more about what Bristol is known for, this Redfin article will be your guide.

1. ESPN headquarters

Bristol is known globally as the headquarters of ESPN, the prominent sports entertainment network. The city proudly hosts the sprawling ESPN campus, a hub for sports broadcasting, where innovative programming and coverage of various athletic events are produced. ESPN’s presence in Bristol solidifies the city’s identity as a prominent center in the sports media world.

Every year, Bristol hosts the Mum Festival, a beloved event celebrating the city’s heritage as the “Mum City.” This festival boasts a parade, carnival rides, live music, and diverse food vendors, drawing the community together while attracting visitors from far and wide.

3. Manufacturing history

Bristol has a rich history in manufacturing, particularly in clock-making and spring manufacturing. The city was once home to the E. Ingraham Company, a prominent clock manufacturer, and the New Departure Manufacturing Company, known for its ball bearings. These industries played a significant role in shaping Bristol’s identity.

4. Lake Compounce

Being the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce holds significant attraction in Bristol. Furthermore, the park offers a mix of thrilling rides, water attractions, and live entertainment. Its long history makes it a popular destination for locals and tourists.

5. Arts and culture

Bristol is home to the Bristol Historical Society and the New England Carousel Museum, both of which showcase the city’s cultural heritage. Additionally, the Carousel Museum features a remarkable collection of antique pieces and offers educational programs. These institutions contribute to Bristol’s vibrant arts and culture scene.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.

The Carousel Museum in Bristol will be free to kids 12 and under through the end of 2024. The free admission was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut-based Barnes Foundation, which funds educational programs in the state.

Morgan Urgo, executive director of the museum, said during Gov. Ned Lamont’s free summer admission program, the Carousel Museum was seeing up to 200 visitors a day. Because of that success, she said, her staff was looking for a way to extend free admission year round.

“We partnered with the Barnes Foundation to pilot this program,” Urgo said. “So we are going to be free to all children, no matter where they live, and it’s going to be so exciting.”

The museum is more than just beautifully sculpted and painted carousel animals on display, Urgo said. For kids, it’s also an educational adventure.

“The story of the carousel is very much the story of America, and American immigrants specifically, so we tell that story to older kids which is great,” Urgo said. “And then there’s also a lot of engineering and science with the construction of the carousel and the mechanisms, so we hit all of the STEAM and STEM active points.”

In addition to helping children build skills in science, technology, engineering and math, Urgo said the museum also offers many hands-on learning activities for the little ones as well.

“When they come for general admission we have drop-in studio activities, there’s always activities for kids to do,” Urgo said. “And then we have a Tinker Workshop, which is for younger children, that’s really self-directed play which is really fun.”

The free admission does not include rides on the museum's indoor carousel, Urgo said.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

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BRISTOL, CT (WFSB) - A bakery in Bristol learned that running a business is no piece of cake.

In fact, Bakery on Maple almost shut its doors for good.

However, there was a turn in events no one saw coming.

“They came out in droves,” said Erika Stirk, owner of Bakery on Maple. “They were wrapped around the corner. They were in the parking lot waiting.”

Stirk posted on her social media page simply asking for a hug. She said she didn’t expect one so tight.

“I pretty much bawled my eyes out the last two weeks,” she said.

Stirk thought the business would have to permanently close. On a bitter cold winter’s day, she said the unexpected happened.

“Everything flew off the shelves,” Stirk said. “My husband makes amazing croissants and cinnamon rolls, and they were the first to go. We probably quadrupled if not more of our sales for a Saturday.”

Shelves left completely empty.

It was a good, yet new problem to have.

“We’re coming into year three and it’s really hard,” Stirk said. “You don’t know exactly what you’re doing and you’re just trying to piecemeal it as you go.”

The cost of food and employees rose at a time the business could not keep up with; but thanks to the power of social media and a strong community, new doors opened.

“There’s a new grant [money] coming up we’re hoping to apply for so that we can get more equipment to make stuff faster,” Stirk said.

For now, the husband-and-wife team of just two said it restocked ingredients and baked around the clock to feed many hungry customers.

“They truly make special items,” said Mary Fortier of Bristol.

Fortier, a longtime resident of Bristol, said businesses like Bakery on Maple are exactly what the town needs.

“Bristol does deserve nice things and sometimes we have a hard time believing that in ourselves, but this is a great business,” she said.

It’s a business that’s now able to continue because of the community that surrounds it.

“I want to give it back community so much,” Stirk said. “That’s just my dream, to make people happy with my cake.”

Saturday and Sunday, customers can stop in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The bakery is open until 7 p.m. on Fridays.

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