Editor’s Note: Publishing an article about myself feels a bit surreal and, admittedly, slightly embarrassing. As you will see below, I have known Michelle Bonner for a very long time, and she said she has been writing this article for the past five years. I’m humbled by the words and grateful for the opportunity to share Michelle’s reflection on our community’s journey together – and since Sunday is “Community Media Day,” I have agreed to share it today. Thank you for letting me take a brief moment in the spotlight before getting back to telling your stories (without any paywall) – which are what matter most.

How Managing Editor Ronni Newton Gave West Hartford its Voice

By former ESPN and CNN Anchor and West Hartford resident Michelle Bonner, who is a freelance writer for USA Lacrosse Magazine, USA Hockey Magazine, and occasionally for We-Ha.com.

Ronni Newton photo by Michael Fiedler for The Working Journal, “an ongoing photographic and handwritten documentary of the jobs, professions and endeavors that shape our connectivity to the people and the world.”

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 18 years to the day when I first met Ronni Newton. She was writing for Connecticut Home Living Magazine and was assigned to do a piece offering readers a rare peek inside the homes of ESPN anchors. I was one of the anchors she featured. What struck me immediately, was a quiet brilliance that softened the spotlight, making it easier for someone like me who was used to being on the other side and asking the questions to navigate unfamiliar territory. I was expecting the standard “show-and-tell” of the usual highlights – where my Emmys and all of my well-framed sports memorabilia were displayed. But Ronni’s approach was different – thoughtful, deliberate, and marked with a remarkable ability to uncover the beauty in the seemingly mundane.

Home Living Connecticut feature story about Michelle Bonner, written by Ronni Newton in 2006. Courtesy of Michelle Bonner

Home Living Connecticut feature story about Michelle Bonner, written by Ronni Newton in 2006. Courtesy of Michelle Bonner

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Ronni has an incredible gift for finding the soul of a story. Her reporting isn’t simply about information – it’s about connection. Little did I know that afternoon would be the start of not only a lasting friendship but also a profound appreciation for the way Ronni has tirelessly dedicated herself to telling the stories that shape our West Hartford.

Long before she co-founded We-Ha.com in 2014, Ronni was already making her mark in the community, not just as a resident but also as the editor of West Hartford Patch. She wrote thousands of stories while managing a complex ecosystem of content across multiple sites and overseeing several editors. The sheer magnitude of coordination, energy, and effort required to balance all of these responsibilities is simply breathtaking (if you’re a journalist, you know). Her work reflected an indefatigable pursuit of meaningful and impactful storytelling that not only resonated but genuinely connected our community.

Ronni Newton photo by Todd Fairchild

Being the eyes and ears of your town – covering everything from breaking news to local human interest stories – is no easy task, especially when working with limited resources. In the “biz,” we refer to this as a “one-man band” – or in this case, a one-“woman” band. It requires a rare blend of resilience, commitment, adaptability, creativity, and resourcefulness that few possess – qualities that Ronni continues to embody today as she gives a voice to the town she loves.

I remember sitting with Ronni in 2013 over coffee at Bruegger’s Bagels in the Center, asking her how she had the energy to juggle it all so gracefully, making it look effortless considering she was also at the time a mom to two busy teenagers and doing the work of what amounted to five or six people. As someone who knows the grind firsthand – having been a reporter and anchor at ESPN, CNN, and Fox Sports, where the pace is relentless and the deadlines unforgiving – I was nothing short of impressed. Her response was simple, but with a knowing chuckle and a shrug: “I’m a runner.” As if that was the obvious secret to being superhuman. And with a plate that was already piled high and overflowing, she was thinking about pushing herself further. That day, she shared her vision for a platform that would serve West Hartford in a deeper, more impactful way. A year later, We-Ha.com was born. (Though, I still maintain she must have found a way to squeeze in a few extra hours into her day.)

Michelle Bonner with Shaquille O’Neal. Courtesy of Michelle Bonner

For the past decade, Ronni has continued to capture the everyday moments in our town, but We-Ha.com has become more than just a local news site – it’s been a lifeline. Case in point: whenever something major happens in town and it hasn’t yet appeared on We-Ha.com, the first thing people do is head straight to the Neighbors and Friends in West Hartford Facebook page to tag Ronni for any news. Because, let’s be honest, if Ronni hasn’t posted about it yet, did it really happen? Whether she’s covering an important Board of Ed meeting, publishing the much-anticipated West Hartford Business Buzz, writing a story about my son Matthew’s opportunity to play golf with Padraig Harrington at the Traveler’s Championship, updating everyone about the UConn property or the New Park Avenue Corridor, or sharing a beautiful Martin Luther King Day feature, Ronni consistently shows up for her town, and her reporting has always been a reflection of her deep love for this community. She doesn’t just inform us – she connects us, reminding us of our shared humanity.

Matthew Bonner shows off the Rory McIlory signature, which has a place of honor at the top of his cap. 2018 Travelers Championship Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Though Ronni is the managing editor of this publication, over the years we’ve come to know her through the glimpses she shares of her own life: from her kids’ college graduations and UConn football fandom to her daughter Katie’s wedding, the joy of becoming a grandmother, and her son Sam’s engagement. She and her husband, Ted – who she met at Duke (Blue Devils for life!) – have shared many adventures, including their treasured visits to Nantucket, where the sunsets are as endless as her love for the island. And then there’s Millie, her beloved bearded collie, who has likely heard more editorial debates than any of us. Ronni has invited us into her world in the same thoughtful way she has chronicled ours. It’s this personal connection that makes her work resonate even more deeply with the community.

Yet, despite her incredible work, Ronni has always sought to maintain a delicate balance with We-Ha.com – keeping it an uplifting news source that highlights the best of West Hartford. However, navigating the challenge of reporting difficult news while staying true to her goal of creating a space that lifts people up is a constant tug-of-war.

On a more personal note, as fellow reporters, I’ve always appreciated the opportunity and privilege Ronni has afforded me to write stories for this platform, spanning everything from sports stories to opinion pieces. There’s a real generosity in the way she opens the door for others to contribute, creating a space where I can still play writer/reporter. But as a member of this community, I am simply grateful – grateful for the way she has helped shape the identity of West Hartford, and for the many ways she has enriched all of our lives through her work. For the last decade, she has been more than just a journalist; she’s been a storyteller who’s given West Hartford a voice, and We-Ha.com has been her true gift to our town.

As We-Ha.com celebrates its 10th anniversary, we celebrate Ronni. Here’s to the stories she’s told, the impact she’s made, and the countless lives she’s touched along the way. West Hartford is better because of her, and we are all fortunate to call her one of our own.

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