It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Samuel Simpson House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Wallingford, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care Senior Services have been wonderful to work with, they sent us Michael,”
“Five stars is not enough to recommend the service Always Best Care provides!! Our situation”
“A sincere, heartfelt "thank you" to Sky and Ruth and the team at ABC. ”
“Outstanding organization and staff! I have had the privilege to work with Cynthia Montano”
“I would like to say how wonderful Carol May is with my uncle. She”
“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you that we so much appreciate”
“I’m leaving a five star review for Nellie. She is the most caring caregiver I”
“I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone looking to set up home care for”
“Always Best Care has been wonderful to work with , very prompt and responsive. ”
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care. Cynthia was an answer to our”
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot and things”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is”
“We are very happy with my sister's companion, Anne Sumner, and the services that Always”
“Tosha, There are no words accurately quantify my family’s appreciation for you. You are undoubtedly”
“I am a current client of this provider His caregiver is wonderful. She helps keep him”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped us the most by always calling”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregiver was sick or going on”
“We are 3 weeks into working with this agency for homecare for my dad. There”
“Our caregiver Anne Sumner is more than a passionate, compassionate, caring, dependable and dedicated professional.”
“I am a current client of this provider He is very difficult, but he is getting”
“Cynthia Montano is the amazing from Always Best Care. Cynthia has helped my parents and”
“I just want to thank ABC agency for allowing us our angel giver which is”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have been wonderful to work with, they sent us Michael, Michael has now been caring for my Dad for a few months now, totally reliable and such a peace of mind for the family that he's there. Dad just loves him. I don't think we could have found a better fit for Dad. Michael cares about Dad as if he was family. Thank you for making this time in Dad's life so much happier and giving his family such peace of mind. Linda Lee”
“Five stars is not enough to recommend the service Always Best Care provides!! Our situation was quite desperate when I contacted them to provide a live in care giver for my mother in law. Denise, more than understood our situation when I called. I contacted ABC earlier in the day and by evening, she was at my mother in law’s home and matched us with a wonderful care giver! Rosina immediately bonded with my mother in law!! The professionalism and compassion Rosina showed was beyond measure. She never left her side and kept us well informed as my mother in law was unfortunately and quickly approaching end of life…..Rosina even stayed with us through the process as my mother in law left her home one last time…….Much Appreciation from The Cotrona Family!!”
“A sincere, heartfelt "thank you" to Sky and Ruth and the team at ABC. Sky and Ruth were amazing, patient, kind, and caring with my father during a very difficult time at the end of his life. I know my dad appreciated it, and the entire family says a big "THANK YOU" for the tremendous care that you provided. Having your help made things so much easier on my mother and the family.”
“Outstanding organization and staff! I have had the privilege to work with Cynthia Montano and to witness the care, attention and professionalism she provides to her clients. Cynthia represents her company with pride and truly provides services to her clients with their needs above all else. Anyone in need of services for their loved one will be fortunate, pleased and grateful to work with Cynthia Montano and Always Best Care.”
“I would like to say how wonderful Carol May is with my uncle. She is very caring and understanding with my 94 year old single uncle. Not an easy job , but she is able to help him in so many ways. Carol is very reliable, trust worthy, and compassionate. We are lucky to have her! I would also like to give Tia in the office a huge compliment! She is really on her game if an issue comes up she is on top of things. It is hard to find good help, she foresee problems and handles things efficiently. Our experience has been very positive!”
“I just wanted to take a moment and tell you that we so much appreciate Yolanda. She comes to our home weekly for light cleaning and she is a breath of fresh air. Every Friday she brightens our home with her presence. Yolanda also does a wonderful job taking care Of our home. Please let her know how much we appreciate her. Brad Nelson”
“I’m leaving a five star review for Nellie. She is the most caring caregiver I have ever worked with my husband is disabled and she is so kind and treats him and both of us like family. She makes sure he eats properly cleans, and spend special time with my husband. You are very, very lucky to have such a great worker I know because I work with other agencies for my mother and you can’t find someone who cares for someone like Nellie does. She should be recognized and rewarded for her efforts. She is never late never calls and is always positive and friendly. I look forward to seeing her every day and consider her family, thank you Beth and Scott Albertson”
“I would recommend Always Best Care to anyone looking to set up home care for their loved ones. Within 1 hour of initial contact, Denise was at my home to gain an understanding of my needs. The very next day, Sharon began working with me and I couldn't be more pleased. Sharon is friendly and helpful and I will miss her now that I no longer need home care services. If you are looking for a home care agency that assures skilled aides and good communication and oversight, look no further than Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care has been wonderful to work with , very prompt and responsive. Angela , my mom's home health aid has been so patient and caring - just what we were hoping and looking for! Would highly recommend!!”
“We had the most wonderful experience with Always Best Care. Cynthia was an answer to our prayers ????”
“I am so appreciative for the time, patience, and insight that Cynthia Montano provided to my brother and me in helping us transition our mother from independent to assisted living. Cynthia educated us about the various “models” of assisted living communities in an effort to ascertain the appropriate level of support required for our mom. She was sensitive to finances and lifestyle preference. Cynthia has a network of relationships among assisted living facilities, and always did hands on research before presenting us with options to tour. She is truly a professional. Cynthia has generously made herself available to brainstorm, as we begin to think about eventual next steps. Thank you, Cynthia.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot and things I can't do, they help me. I like that they are prompt and always on time.”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
“This review is for Bernadette. She is exceptionally competent. You can feel how caring she is for her patient and for the entire family. Self directed.”
“We are very happy with my sister's companion, Anne Sumner, and the services that Always Best Care provides!”
“Tosha, There are no words accurately quantify my family’s appreciation for you. You are undoubtedly the kindest, caring, compassionate competent care giver there is. You’ve treated my father and my whole family with a loving heart. We will forever be grateful for making this difficult time easier. We love having you a part of our family.”
“I am a current client of this provider His caregiver is wonderful. She helps keep him from being depressed and she's always asking if he took his medications. I would like to see more consistent communication.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped us the most by always calling and checking in on us. I like that they're always able to find someone for us.”
“I am a current client of this provider When my caregiver was sick or going on vacation, they reached out to me. I like their caregivers they send.”
“We are 3 weeks into working with this agency for homecare for my dad. There were a few bumps in the road, but we have hit the jackpot with two of our caregivers. Melissa Pericas and Jordene have been amazing! My mother has been struggling with having strangers in her home and letting someone else take care of her husband, but these two lovely women have melded into the family and put her completely at ease. They are both very experienced and are doing and amazing job. My mom is able to put the caregiving into their capable hands and focus on being his wife and spend valuable time with him. These ladies both deserve 5 stars!! I rated the agency with 4 stars because we had some scheduling issues in the beginning and had one caregiver that was problematic, but he was removed from our schedule as soon as I reported the issue.”
“Our caregiver Anne Sumner is more than a passionate, compassionate, caring, dependable and dedicated professional. She quickly became a family member and friend.”
“I am a current client of this provider He is very difficult, but he is getting better. He is happier than he has ever been. I like that they are very responsive.”
“Cynthia Montano is the amazing from Always Best Care. Cynthia has helped my parents and us with this transition process. She has been wonderful explaining everything. If we had questions or just needed to talk about what is going on with the parents she was there to help. She goes above and beyond. She has help us tremendously. I feel blessed for having Cynthia during this time. Our family would like to say thank you for everything. We couldn't have done it without her.”
“I just want to thank ABC agency for allowing us our angel giver which is what we call her. Shay is a life saver without her I'll be running like a chicken with my head cut off. She has stepped in and saved the day numerous times between changing her schedule to work with ours, to even making sure Steve visits his wife grave. We appreciate her please don't take her from us steve would be devastated. She's amazing”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting William D Bertini Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Michael's Trattoria or visit Wallingford Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Wallingford, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Wallingford, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Wallingford, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
WALLINGFORD, CT — Below are recent death notices from Wallingford.Phyllis (Nolan) Dorsey, 92, died May 5, 2025. She worked in the Wallingford School System and later as a certified nurse’s aide at Gaylord Hospital, and enjoyed music, baking, solitaire, crossword puzzles, sewing, UConn Women’s Basketball, movies, and TV.Faith Wight, 92, died May 5, 2025. She was an active member of the Christadelphian community, served as an organist and pianist in R.I., N.H., and CT, and was w...
WALLINGFORD, CT — Below are recent death notices from Wallingford.
Phyllis (Nolan) Dorsey, 92, died May 5, 2025. She worked in the Wallingford School System and later as a certified nurse’s aide at Gaylord Hospital, and enjoyed music, baking, solitaire, crossword puzzles, sewing, UConn Women’s Basketball, movies, and TV.
Faith Wight, 92, died May 5, 2025. She was an active member of the Christadelphian community, served as an organist and pianist in R.I., N.H., and CT, and was well known in New England for her expertise and teaching in fiber arts and music.
Shawn Matthew “Gingy” Morrill, 20, died May 6, 2025. He worked as a communication installer for Signal Communications, specialized in electronics after graduating from Wilcox Technical High School in 2022, and enjoyed working on cars—especially rebuilding his Mazda Miata—and following football as a dedicated Baltimore Ravens fan.
Evan A. Waycott, 25, died May 7, 2025. He was known for his loyal nature, deep bond with his daughter and had a presence that lit up every room.
Lois B. Sprague, 92, died May 7, 2025. She worked as a receptionist at Elim Park Baptist Home, was a licensed Master Barber and CNA, and enjoyed church activities, harmonica, knitting, bingo, and summers at Campers World.
Jose Cruz, 95, died May 7, 2025. He worked as a machinist for Stanley Judd and Cytex before retiring, enjoyed gardening, and was a lifelong LA Dodgers fan in a family of NY Yankees fans which made life interesting.
Mary Irene Van Deun, 70, died May 9, 2025. She navigated life with significant physical and intellectual disabilities, and lived an extraordinary life.
The college student earned top accolades at the recent national convention.WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford resident was among the eight physical education students at Eastern Connecticut State University to earn top accolades at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National Convention and Exposition last month in Baltimore.Two Eastern teams beat tough competition at the SHAPE America College Bowl, earning first and second place, respectively.The annual convention and exposition gathers hea...
WALLINGFORD, CT — A Wallingford resident was among the eight physical education students at Eastern Connecticut State University to earn top accolades at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National Convention and Exposition last month in Baltimore.
Two Eastern teams beat tough competition at the SHAPE America College Bowl, earning first and second place, respectively.
The annual convention and exposition gathers health and PE teachers from across the country for a weekend of networking, workshops, educational sessions, and a "Jeopardy" style competition.
The competition, which typically sees more than 20 teams, tests students in their knowledge of PE, health, anatomy, physiology, adapted PE, national standards, nutrition, dance, and gymnastics, among other topics.
Eastern has won five national SHAPE championships in the past seven years in Boston, Tampa, Seattle, Baltimore, and an online championship during COVID. The PE program's accomplishments now include their unprecedented first -and second-place finishes in the college bowl.
Gianna Scoppetto, of Wallingford, was among the winners. She is a senior studying physical education.
“Winning the College Bowl made us feel like our hard work paid off,” Scoppetto said.
She was proud of her team and the Eastern PE program for their win.
“The pure excitement and joy on all our faces when we saw the Eastern victory on the screen was unmatched,” she said.
Scoppetto also received the SHAPE America Majors of the Year Award. This title is earned by SHAPE America members with high academic performance.
“This award speaks for everything I have done in the last four years,” said Scoppetto, who thanked her peers and professors for their roles in her academic journey.
Beyond the competition, SHAPE also provided the student attendees with networking and professional growth opportunities.
Scoppetto noted that she was able to speak with multiple vendors that had unique and innovative ideas for application in PE pedagogy.
“I knew we had two strong teams, but I never imagined that they would finish first and second,” said PE pedagogy Professor Darren Robert. He noted that the two teams had almost identical scores, leading significantly from the third-place team.
“[This win] puts Eastern on the map as a leader in PE and health teacher preparation,” he said. Students left the SHAPE America Convention and Exposition with new ideas, knowledge, inspirations and aspirations for their future careers in PE.
Contributed from Eastern Connecticut State University
WALLINGFORD — Nineteen-year-old Javon Chase was ready Monday morning to show the more than four dozen college football coaches from around the country a glimpse of one of the top defensive lineman in New England prep school circles.Among them were coaches from Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth of the Ivy League, where as many as six of the schools in the conference are actively recruiting the 6-foot-3 ½ inch defensive tackle and soon-to-be postgraduate at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford.Chase and his Choate teammates...
WALLINGFORD — Nineteen-year-old Javon Chase was ready Monday morning to show the more than four dozen college football coaches from around the country a glimpse of one of the top defensive lineman in New England prep school circles.
Among them were coaches from Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth of the Ivy League, where as many as six of the schools in the conference are actively recruiting the 6-foot-3 ½ inch defensive tackle and soon-to-be postgraduate at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford.
Chase and his Choate teammates went through a variety of drills to showcase their skills in front of the college coaches, one of their several stops on the Connecticut Prep Football Show Day.
"This is such a great opportunity to perform,” said Chase, a native of Ontario, Canada, who sports a 3.8 grade-point average and aspires to major in pre-med or business.
All eyes were on No. 95 during 1-on-1 drills.
“I am working on my technique and am still adjusting to football (here) from Canadian football,” he said. “Last season, I thought I did OK, but could have done much better. My ceiling is much higher.”
Choate head coach LJ Spinnato agrees.
“Javon has a great work ethic, and is a great kid, a great teammate and a great role model,” Spinnato said. “He is blessed with a big wingspan. When he came here last year, he was raw, but he has all of the potential in the world. And he’s only going to get better.”
The same can be said of Bloomfield native Breydon Evans, a versatile football and baseball player at Choate. He played at Bloomfield during the 2023-24 season, winning a state championship in football and in indoor track, where he was the anchor on the Hawks' winning 4x200 relay team, before repeating his freshman year at Choate. Just 15 years old, Evans has three more seasons of prep school.
“Breydon is the most competitive kid,” Spinnato said. “He holds himself accountable and holds a high standard for himself. He has a high character. On the field, he played safety last fall, but will move to corner this year, and he’ll play receiver and be a kick returner. We will have him for three more years. That is a great thing.”
The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Evans said being a dual-sport athlete gives him a competitive edge.
“It’s important to get your rest and take care of your body,” Evans said.
He admits that he doesn’t care where he plays on the field — offense, defense or special teams. “I just want the ball,” he said.
As for his future in college, “If I am fortunate to be able to do both football and baseball, that would be great," he said. "It was a big change coming to Choate, but I have a lot of great people around me who are pushing me to work harder and supporting me a lot.”
WALLINGFORD, CT — Below are recent death notices from Wallingford.Darrel C. Cadett, 66, died April 27, 2025. A truck driver for FedEx, Trucks, Inc., and A. Duie Pyle, he loved farm tractors, fishing, gardening, and spending time at the Apple Valley Campground with his wife Pamela.Michael A. Mikula Jr., 77, died April 30, 2025. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran, and served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970.Vincent LaBonia Jr., 77, died May 1, 2025; He was par...
WALLINGFORD, CT — Below are recent death notices from Wallingford.
Darrel C. Cadett, 66, died April 27, 2025. A truck driver for FedEx, Trucks, Inc., and A. Duie Pyle, he loved farm tractors, fishing, gardening, and spending time at the Apple Valley Campground with his wife Pamela.
Michael A. Mikula Jr., 77, died April 30, 2025. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran, and served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970.
Vincent LaBonia Jr., 77, died May 1, 2025; He was part of the family business Platt & LaBonia Company for many years before retiring and was a member of the Wallingford Elks Lodge #1365.
Marilyn Lee Sundwall, 84, died May 2, 2025. She worked as a bookkeeper at Tollgate Foods before retiring and found joy in reading, puzzles, and spending time with her family and dog, Buddy.
Frank J. Carrano, 83, died May 2, 2025. He served in the Connecticut National Guard, co-owned Carrano’s Express, owned VJC Warehouse, and was a dedicated Yankees and Giants fan who avidly collected Yankee memorabilia.
Gerardo “Pancho” Ramirez, 60, died May 4, 2025. He worked for over 25 years as a data entry administrator at Nucor Steel before retiring in 2022 and enjoyed movies, soccer, food, and spending time with his family.
Cindy Ostrow, 71, died May 4, 2025. She worked for over 40 years as an operating room nurse in Pennsylvania and Connecticut and was active in her church, finding great joy in being a grandmother.
Alan David Marcarelli, 34, died May 4, 2025. A computer science graduate of UConn and software engineer for 3M and Solventum, he was passionate about tabletop games, trivia, local theater, and Japanese art and culture.
WALLINGFORD, CT — Laskara restaurant in Wallingford is closing its doors for good after 26 years in business, the owners announced Saturday with “very heavy hearts.”Earlier in the week, the owners said the restaurant was temporarily closing for repairs.However, in an update on Saturday, the owners announced in a post ...
WALLINGFORD, CT — Laskara restaurant in Wallingford is closing its doors for good after 26 years in business, the owners announced Saturday with “very heavy hearts.”
Earlier in the week, the owners said the restaurant was temporarily closing for repairs.
However, in an update on Saturday, the owners announced in a post on Facebook that Laskara was closing for good.
“We first want to thank everyone for reaching out over this week with concerns about our Laskara repairs,” the post on Facebook reads. “Unfortunately, it isn't good news. With very very heavy hearts, we have decided to close our doors for good. This decision did not come lightly and I want to apologize to the staff and our community.”
Laskara, located at 295 Parker Farms Rd., is a family owned and operated Mediterranean restaurant that has been open since 1999.
In Jan. 2021, Laskara received a boost from Barstool Sports and its founder Dave Portnoy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frustrated with the plight of small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, Portnoy launched the Barstool Fund to help see them through the crisis. Portnoy, known for his popular “One Bite” pizza reviews, said at the time that the plan for the fund was to provide businesses (starting with restaurants) with a monthly check for as long as is needed.
Maria Riopel, who co-owns Laskara with her mother, submitted a video to Barstool at the time to be considered for the fund. In the video, Riopel said her family opened Laskara in 1999, and they took a huge hit when her father passed away, but they wanted to keep the restaurant open because “we love it.”
“We love our staff, we love our customers, we love the community,” Riopel said in the emotional video. “And we had some really hard times. We had some things that we didn’t know about after my dad passed away. We were struggling to keep the doors open. We finally did a turnaround, we were starting to do really well, we were starting to see profit again. And then COVID hit.”
Laskara prominently displayed a banner outside the restaurant thanking Portnoy and Barstool Sports for the assistance.
In the Facebook post on Saturday, Riopel explained the decision to close the restaurant.
“Unfortunately, with the age of everything in the building and the decline of Jenny's health, we felt it best to say goodbye,” the post reads. “It is extremely heartbreaking and would appreciate you understanding that this business was everything to us and our memories of John.
“We wish it didn't happen this way.
“I would like to thank my husband for literally holding us up from the ground when we fell crying and screaming. Please know this decision was not easy.
“We would like to thank the staff for being there through these years when they were good and especially in the dark times. You all were truly the backbone of the restaurant.
“We would like to thank the community for supporting us through these past 26 years. Wallingford is an amazing place and we appreciate every single one of you that walked through those doors.
“We wish everyone well and once again THANK YOU!”
See also: Wallingford Restaurant Receives Boost From Barstool Sports
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