Granby’s first selectman, Mark Fiorentino, received a first-place award in the 2023 Connecticut Press Club’s annual competition for his humorous short story, The New Guy. It relates how an enthusiastic newcomer to Fiorentino’s established fishing circle just does not jibe with the group vibe as preparations are being made for the next fishing expedition. Fiorentino finally must tell the newbie, “Look, I don’t think you’re going to be a good fit for this group.” Despite the conflict, harmony reigns in the end.
Fiorentino credits the Drummer’s former editor, Rita Isaacson, for encouraging him to write for the paper following the family’s move from Las Vegas to Granby in 2009. He is currently on hiatus from writing for Waypoints, his monthly fishing-related column, but plans to get back to it, saying, “I have some great stories in my head that I need to transfer to paper.”
Fiorentino has proved himself to be a polished and engaging writer by winning recognition in the Press Club’s competition every year since the Drummer started submitting entries. Notably, when his previous first place submission advanced to the national competition, Fiorentino received a first-place award on the national level.
He shares that he has toyed with the idea of a memoir, but adds, “Usually when I get the memoir idea in my head, I realize I’d rather spend the time fishing.”
The New Guy can be read by either clicking the link, or by visiting our archive for the March 2023 issue. The article appears on page 24.