Family Photo Album

Helen's Family

Helen Marjorie Konopka Thomas Weisgraber / Helen's Family

Helen's daugther, Joyce Thomas

	In April 2002, Joyce Thomas and Rob started a new business, Bizgrok, Inc focusing on web design and hosting. JT continues as webmaster for Bizgrok, and the North East Digital Village, which is now operated by Bizgrok. JT continues to be involved with a few local non-profits, contributing web design. Stop by and visit the Child Adoption Resource Association (CARA) and Hospice of Southeastern CT. Although, Bizgrok no longer has it's office in New London, it remains JT's favorite local city. Bizgrok is one of the sponsors of the New London Main Street program, contributing web hosting and design services. JT has recently joined the board of a new non-profit, Believe You Can Fly Foundation. BYCFF hopes to bring the reality of college to Connecticut children who previously wouldnot thought of themselves as able to go to college -either because they couldn't afford it, or because they weren't prepared. Stay tuned, BYCFF will be putting up a temporary web site at nedv.net/bycff/ by February 2003.
Before going into the Internet/Web Desgin business, JT worked as a social work supervisor of the State of Connecticut's Department of Children & Families. After 22 years of child welfare experience mainly dealing with neglect and abuse, helping CARA & Hospice by taking are of their web sites is a lot more fun!
JT has earned a Master Degrees in Professional Writing, in Management and in Child Welfare. Next to working, Joyce loves to travel. She and her camera (and Helen on occassion) have trekked across the US three times - visitng and photographing our National Parks and Monuments. JT is a dedicated Sci-Fi/Star Trek fan - although not actively a Trekkie, JT believes that Vulcans and Klingons are more than figments of Gene Roddenberry's imagination & hopes for beaming technology soon.

Joyce Thomas and Frank Szarka's son, Rob Szarka

Rob Szarka is the resident "head geek" at Bizgrok. His experience in the computer and Internet field began with Brazerko Communications, a software distributor that provided a publicly accessible BBS system, email and Usenet access in 1995. This grew into a larger business venture in 1997, when Rob started DownCity Internet with JT. DownCity began as full-service Internet Service Provider that focused on providing individuals and businesses dial-up access to the Internet.

Rob has become an avid Swing Dancer. He is teaching & DJing now. He can be found dancing almost anywhere he is - at home, ay work, or at the grocery store. The dancing is great exercise, and Rob is trying to persuade JT to swing into better health as well. Having watched Helen & Howard jitterbug and swing - we can safely say that the dancin' is in the genes! Rob serves as president of the board member for the Shoreline Swing Dance Society

Some of JT/Rob's personal and business web sites

Please feel free to add or correct any information by emailing webmaster@konopka-family.org.
© 2000-2003 Konopka Family
Design © 2000-2003 North East Digital Village
Logos & Trademarks belong to their respective owners. March 2003