Who We Are
Better Manchester started off as quarterly print and digital magazine featuring local news, stories and the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation Program and Event Brochure. The concept was simple – be a communication bridge between the community, policy makers and key stakeholders to create a Better Manchester.
We did just that. For ten years we published a quarterly magazine and an accompanying program and event brochure. View all ten years here!
Times, people, and communities change – and so do we.
Welcome to the Evolution of Better Manchester!
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Let us know how we’re doing! Send us an email or drop us a line! We always love hearing from you and appreciate the feedback.
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Authors
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Community Members
I am a lifelong resident of Manchester and a Facility Director with the Department of Leisure, Families, and Recreation. I graduated Manchester High School in 2017 and I’m currently an undergraduate student majoring in International Studies at Boston College. I am an editor for The Gavel, a progressive student publication, and a co-director for FACES, the anti-racism student organization at Boston College.
Fun Fact #1: I studied abroad in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra was the most beautiful place I’d ever been.
Fun Fact #2: I can speak Spanish and one day want to be fluent.
Born and raised in Manchester, Jakob is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Neighborhoods and Families Division. He is currently in his undergrad at UConn majoring in Urban and Community Studies. He has a passion for equality, music and the residential life in Manchester.
Fun Fact #1: I love to dance and eat salsa.
Fun Fact #2: I am a song writer and musician.
Beth Mix lives in Manchester and has worked at the Manchester Youth Service Bureau for over 20 years. She loves Scrabble and poker and movies and her cats. Her youngest son is about to graduate from Cheney Tech.
Fun Fact #1 Her last name is a noun, a verb and a Roman numeral.
Fun Fact #2 She can ride a unicycle
I am the proud wife of a combat veteran and mother of a 4 year old daughter and 3 year old son. The biggest lesson I have always taught and will continue to teach my children as they grow is that kindness comes above all else. I have been a full time Town of Manchester employee for twelve years now and love what I do, the people I work with and the town that I serve!
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Fun Fact #1: I come from a Greek family where food is not only a conversation piece, or a way to celebrate, but a way to warm the soul and bring people together. I love to cook and even have an Instagram page dedicated to just that!
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Fun Fact #2: I have been writing poetry ever since I was a child learning how to write a haiku.
Greetings everyone! I was born and raised in Manchester and a graduate of Howell Cheney Tech. I’ve worked part time with the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation for the last 17 years as a Aquatics Director and a Building Director. Recently I was hired full time as a Recreation Supervisor and will be overseeing the Aquatics program, Community “Y” and various tasks throughout the town!
- Fun Fact #1 I was a Cast Member at Walt Disney World!
- Fun Fact #2 Married my High School Sweetheart who I met while working for the Rec Department.
RiseUP for Arts is Connecticut’s only state-wide Public Art nonprofit with a mission to help communities imagine what’s possible. We launched our CT Murals program in 2015 in response to communities and local artists’ need for support in creating more vibrant and positive towns and cities across Connecticut.
Fun Fact #1 We’ve completed over 25 murals projects across the state
Fun Fact #2 We love Manchester
Nico Arias is a Recreation Supervisor with the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation. He oversees management and execution of Better Manchester Magazine and Better Manchester Online as well as numerous other marketing and communication initiatives for the division and department. He enjoys hiking, camping and all things outdoors.
Fact #1: Can complete a rubix cube.
Fact #2: Loves PIZZA.
Quoron Walker is a well known name in the Manchester community. He is a former journalist for the Manchester edition of the Hartford Courant’s Courant Community newspaper. He currently works as the Communication & Development Coordinator for the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and is a freelance writer.
Fun Fact #1 Quoron is a singer/songwriter and actor.
Fun Fact #2 Quoron and The Wayne Patrik Band haver performed several times at Spruce Street Market Nights.
Hi, I’m Bri! I recently joined the Town of Manchester as the new Communications Manager. What excites me most is the opportunity to make a real positive impact on people’s quality of life and to be part of a prideful, thriving, and evolving community.
Fun Fact #1: My first slice of pizza (ever) was at Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza
Fun Fact #2: I’m a proud plant mom 🙂
Hey all! My name is James Costa, and I’ve been with the Neighborhoods and Families Division since 2015. I got started with the division during my sophomore year of high school, and I am now finishing up a degree in Journalism and Film Studies at the University of Connecticut.
Fun Fact #1 I won my car in a raffle during Manchester High School’s Project Graduation.
Fun Fact #2 I served as the head writer and editor for the Things book series, a series of children’s books written, edited and translated by Manchester High School students.
James Przybylski is a Recreation Supervisor overseeing the Division of Neighborhoods and Families. His responsibilities include progressing the Town of Manchester’s Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion plan. James is a dedicated husband and father, he resides in Madison, CT.
Fun Fact #1: I’ve been rock climbing for nearly 25 years throughout the U.S. and abroad
Fun Fact #2: I can start a fire with an orange peel
Hi, I’m Deidre! I recently joined the Town of Manchester as the Journalism Intern for Better Manchester Magazine. I’m currently a student majoring in Communications – Journalism at Manchester Community College. I was a former Editor in Chief for the MCC Live Wire Campus Newspaper, and am the current Treasurer for MCC’s ICE Radio at 1620 AM. I am also a freelance writer for the Northend Agent’s Newspaper, Connecticut’s largest and longest-published African
American newspaper.
Fun Fact #1 I love to sing Gospel music!
Fun Fact #2 KevOnStage is my favorite online comedian to watch. 🙂
Since 2015 Susan Barlow has served Manchester as its official and acting Town Historian. She leads history walks, conducts research, updates the Historical Society’s website www.manchesterhistory.org and Facebook pages, and produces a weekly Manchester history e-newsletter. Susan served as a Historical Society director for 10 years, public-access television producer for 19 years, event coordinator for six years, and co-chair of the Society’s annual history tours for school children for 10 years. She also serves on the Cheney Brothers National Historic District Commission, as a town appointed advisor on matters within the Landmark District. These roles have all provided wonderful opportunities to meet people, visit historic homes, and find out more about our Town’s rich history. Susan believe that through education and preservation, we can increase awareness of all that we have in Manchester, and improve our appreciation of the town’s past and present.
Bill Ludwig is a long-time Manchester resident. He is a prolific singer-songwriter and the current Official Manchester Town Troubadour. Bill is also a champion of the arts and has been recently named President of Imagine Main Street.
- Fun Fact #1 As of April, 2021, Bill has released ten albums of original music.
- Fun Fact #2 During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bill livestreamed himself singing to his chickens every weekday morning for over a year.