Kate and Shaba welcome special guest Jenny “Cousin Jen” Social for a warm, laugh-out-loud episode filled with family stories, food debates, and classic hometown nostalgia.

From breaking in the brand-new podcast couch (literally 😅) to passionately debating the correct way to say mozzarella, ricotta, and prosciutto, the conversation leans all the way into Connecticut/Italian roots and the little quirks that come with them.

They take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about The Arizona restaurant and the Stafford spots that used to define growing up in town — the places, the people, and the moments that just hit different when you look back.

It’s playful, a little chaotic, and full of the kind of storytelling that feels like sitting around the kitchen table with family — laughing, arguing over pronunciation, and realizing those small-town memories never really leave you.

A heartfelt and engaging conversation with Nancy Dutton, reflecting on a life deeply rooted in Stafford Springs. Nancy shares stories from her many years as an educator, offering insight into the joys, challenges, and lasting impact of a career spent shaping young minds. She also speaks lovingly about her late husband, Bruce Dutton—a devoted teacher, historian, and arborist—whose passion for the town and its history left a lasting mark on the community.

Together, their lives were built around education, service, and family. Through memories of the classroom, involvement in the Arts Commission, and dedication to preserving local history, this conversation highlights the importance of staying connected, giving back, and taking pride in where you come from.

More than just a look back, this interview explores the values that guided their journey—critical thinking, curiosity, compassion, and community. It’s a reminder that the true impact of a life in education extends far beyond the classroom, living on in the people, stories, and traditions that continue to shape a town.

In this episode, Barbara Frassinelli shares the story of her journey from Maine to Stafford Springs, and the life she built in a small New England town where community still means something. Through her memories, we’re taken back to a different time on Main Street—when neighbors knew each other, families worked hard, and the rhythms of town life were woven together through faith, friendship, and shared responsibility.

Barbara reflects on what it was like raising six children, balancing family life while remaining deeply connected to the community around her. Her stories capture the warmth and resilience of a generation that believed in showing up for others—whether it was helping a neighbor, supporting local traditions, or simply being present for the people who make a town feel like home.

Throughout the conversation, Barbara speaks about the importance of faith, kindness, and neighborliness, and how those values shaped not only her family but also the town itself. She shares thoughtful advice for younger generations about staying grounded, giving back, and remembering that the true strength of a community comes from the people who care enough to nurture it.

This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a reminder of the power of memory, legacy, and the quiet impact one family can have on the story of a place.

This is the very first interview from our passion project, The People of Stafford. Through this series, we hope to sit down with the individuals whose lives, stories, and experiences have helped shape the character and history of this town.

Because sometimes the most meaningful history isn’t found in books—it’s found around a table, listening to the people who lived it.