2011 Volunteers of the Year
Every race since the very first back in 2002 has featured the design work of
Allan and Michael Esposito and Signs
Unlimited. Allan and Michael are Derby natives having grown up on
Lakeview Terrace in Derby. Allan is a 1977 Platt Tech graduate and the
Butera Scool of Art in Boston. Allan in the artistic designer in the
business which the brothers started in Derby in 1985. Michael is a 1981
Derby High graduate, and he is the engineer in the business. The business is
currently located on Francis Street in Derby.
Signs Unlimited has grown quite a bit because of the quality of their work
which can be found all over the country. The sign pictured above is headed
for Boston when completed, and you may have seen some of their work at
Clinton Crossing or more locally at Danny O's, the new Smoke & Bones or
Porch & Patio.
When asked about his involvement in the race, Allan said that he is proud to
see so many people on the street wearing one of the 9 race shirts and and he
is happy he can make a contribution to the 5K ann help the Boys and Girls
Club. He added, "I enjoy coming up with a theme for the shirt and being able
to work the colors."
Michael noted that he is happy to see Derby have such a fun event and that
it is a treat to see so many runners on Elizabeth St. He said that helping
out for 10 yrs has been a treat and he loves to see so many folks.
volunteers and runners, enjoying each new shirt.
Allan lives in Seymour with his wife Desiree and two
sons Chris and Michael (both in the picture above), who both work with him
in the business. Chris is a race fan as well - only his race is NASCAR and
he is a big fan of Dale Ernhartjr! Daughter Katelyn is a 5th grader a
Chatfield School in Seymour and a favorite activity is to go into Manhattan
with dad Allan to explore the city - and maybe look at some of Signs
Unlimited work on display in the city.
Michael lives with wife Lynette in Derby. Lynette has also been a supporter
of the 5K as she coaches the Derby Pop Warner Cheerleaders who have been
cheering the runners each yearr at the United Cigar Store in Derby.
If you have run in the race, you have seen the Haywoods on the course as
they are responsible for the water stop in front of Adzima's funeral home.
Parents Michelle and Brett and sons Tyler (12), Biran (9) and Zack (6) make
sure that runners are fully hydrated along the course.
They have both been outstanding athletes in their own right. A native and
member of the prominent Shelton Pagliaro family, Michelle had a great career
as both a basketball and softball player at Brown University where she first
met Brett. He is from
Kamloops, British Columbia Canada, and as you might expect, played hockey at
Brown. Brett has run in the Hull race once.
Tyler is following the
family's sports tradition as a goalie for the MidFairfield Blues. He attends
The Hopkins School in New Haven, and will be running the race this year for
the third time.
Brian is 9 and Zack 6 attend Sunnyside School in
Shelton. Brian also plays travel hockey for the CT Riverhawks.
Brett is a partner at the
Riverview and Edward F. Adzima
funeral homes, and Michelle might be a great resource for many of our
runners as she is a chiropractor at the
Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center in Trumbull and Shelton.
Michelle said that, "We
always look forward to Thanksgiving morning. I remember meeting my dad at
the funeral home and setting up water the first couple of years. Coffee,
donuts, lots of laughs, and of course lots of cups filled with water. Brett
and I have kept the tradition going and have included our children, knowing
that if my dad (Joseph
Pagliaro) was here he would still be doing it with a big smile."
Her
favorite race memory came in 2009 when she was staffing the water station
when 10 year old Tyler came running by followed very closely by her 78 year
old uncle
Carl Sylvester. Carl has also volunteered for every race - and run in
every race. Not only has he run, but he has also won his age group several
times.
We want to thank our
2011 "Volunteers of the Year" for all they do for us!
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