Celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. It is the most important patriotic holiday ever since. Declaration of Independence, a full and formal declaration adopted July 4, 1776, by representatives of the Thirteen Colonies in North America announcing the separation of those colonies from Great Britain and making them into the United States. Look inside this issue for how your neighbors will celebrate and don’t miss the parades in your town.
Andrew Perry, longtime Stonington resident and former owner of Stonington Lumber and Hardware is the Stonington Historical Society’s Parade Grand Marshal. Andy invites you to come see the 4th of July parade scheduled to begin assembling in Wadawanuck Square at 9:45 a.m. Meet Andy on page 12.
Across the viaduct and Historic Mystic Bridge, Bill Jervis, Grand Marshal, will be leading Groton’s 4th of July parade, starting at 10:00 a.m. Wave to your Resident friends as we drive by in The Resident’s classic antique VW Bug Convertible. My “baby” since 1979 is waxed and ready to parade. Meet Bill on page 5.
Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presented the Atlantic Fleet Arleigh Burke Trophy to the Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) during a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London on June 12.
The award is presented annually to the ship or aviation squadron – one in the Atlantic Fleet and one in the Pacific Fleet – that achieved the greatest improvement during the preceding year in operational readiness, inspections, retention and improvement in the Battle Efficiency Award program. Providence was rated six out of six in 2006, but with hard work and dedication, the 140-man crew was able to raise their rating to one out of six, earning them this distinction.
“A unit this size, to be able to be the best in the fleet… It’s extraordinary,” said Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Commander, US Fleet Forces Command. The Admiral explained that compared to a destroyer or other vessels in the fleet, submarines have fewer areas that are rated, making it more difficult for improvement. “Hats off to you! It’s really unusual, but you did it!”
“This isn’t individuals or a small group of individuals,” said Commander Michael Holland, Commanding Officer, USS Providence. “This is every one of you doing things very well, for a very long time.”
During the ceremony, Admiral Greenert passed out awards the crew earned, including the Dolphins Machinist Mate Second Class Daniel Messier earned by passing his submarine qualifications recently.
Providence returned last spring from a demanding seven-month around-the-world deployment, including the execution of three missions in the Western Pacific. Providence was also awarded the Tactical Operations White “T” as part of the 2007 Battle Efficiency Award program.
Chief Ralph W. Sturges, also known by his Native name G’tinemong (He Who Helps Thee), was posthumously honored by an induction into the CT Hall of Fame. A ceremony sponsored by The CT General Assembly took place in Hartford on June 18, 2008. The CT Hall of Fame salutes current or former residents of the state who distinguish themselves in their profession and perform outstanding service to the state and to the nation. The hall is located on the second floor break-out area of the Legislative Office Building.
Paul Sturges, surrounded by his family, accepted the honor to his father. Members of the Tribal Council, Council of Elders, and various members of the Mohegan Tribe also attended the emotional ceremony. “Chief Sturges was a mentor to me and to many other Mohegans” remarked Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. “This honor goes even further to ensure that his legacy in CT and among the Tribe will never be forgotten.”
Senators Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge) and Sam Caligiuri (R-Waterbury), and Representatives Elizabeth “Betty” Boukus (D-Plainville) and Michael Caron (R-Danielson) serve on the CT Hall of Fame Committee, and were also present at the ceremony. Joining them were Don Williams (D-Brooklyn), President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), Majority Leader of the Senate.
Chief Sturges, a native of New London, was a leader in the movement to gain federal recognition for the Mohegan Tribe. He was also a leader in the Tribe’s establishment of Mohegan Sun, which now stands as one of the most successful Native American owned and operated casino-resorts in the world. Inducted along with Chief Sturges were the late baseball legend and civil rights advocate Jackie Robinson; Harry J. Gray, the former CEO and Chairman of United Technologies and major benefactor for Hartford Hospital’s cancer center; and the late Marian Anderson, “CT’s Voice of Freedom,” the first African-American singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. Previous members of the CT Hall of Fame include Mark Twain, Katherine Hepburn and Igor Sikorsky.
On Monday, June 9, the CT Main Street Center conducted the 2008 Awards of Excellence program in the refurbished Wauregan building on Broadway, Norwich. The statewide organization recognized a number of Norwich groups and individuals, mostly volunteers, for their efforts in revitalizing downtowns into economically vibrant communities.
The Wauregan itself received special recognition. The Adaptive Reuse of a Building award was presented in the building’s recently renovated ballroom. Les King, President of Rose City Renaissance, credits the Wauregan as successful example of the Main Street Program. “This is a cornerstone for development in downtown,” he said. “It gave a lot of people in town hope. We really can take buildings and turn them around.”
Rose City Renaissance (RCR) received recognition as one of the four state recipients of the 2008 National Main Street Program. Gordon Kyle, RCR, was recognized as Main Street Board Member of the Year.
The CT Light & Power Company (CL&P) Award for Outstanding Contributions to Main Street Revitalization went posthumously to Linda Osten. As a professional community planner, Linda was also instrumental in a number of Hartford projects including the redevelopment of Adriaen’s Landing.
“She was a wonderful person to honor and remember,” said John O’Toole, CL&P, “She reminds me of the Bette Midler song about where each spring a rose comes up.”
Willimantic Renaissance received a 2008 Award of Excellence for promoting the highly successful 3rd Thursday Street Fests. During warmer months of the year, Willimantic’s Main Street is closed to traffic between 5-7 pm on the third Thursday of each month. Live bands and vendors mix outdoors with almost 10,000 people.
“It’s like a big party in a small town,” said Willimantic Renaissance member, Maureen Mulroy. “It’s a wonderful place to come and see friends you haven’t seen in a while and a great place for people to learn more about their community.”
“Thursday is a traditional shopping night,” said Thomas McNally, President of Willimantic Renaissance. He thought of creating a Thursday night street fest while visiting San Luis Obispo, California.
Kimberley Whitacker, associate director, CT Main Street Center, said the center started about ten years ago to provide training, advocacy and technical assistance to groups involved in downtown revitalization. “We coordinate resources, bring in consultants, and work with state representatives,” said Kimberly.
(l-r) Selectman William Brown, Town of Stonington, Robert Elmer III, Chairman, Stonington Commission on Aging, Bruce McDonald, President, Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center Board of Directors, Carol Granato, wife of Robert Granato, Veronica Hunter, Community Development Specialist, State Dept. of Economic & Community Development, Representative Diana Urban, Senator Andrew Maynard, First Selectman Edward Haberek, Jr., Town of Stonington, and Virginia Turek dig the ceremonial first shovels at the groundbreaking of the new senior center to be built at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (PNC).
First Selectman Ed Haberek opened the ceremony by explaining that the senior center will “…encourage independence and productive aging, celebrate life’s experiences, and support intellectual and physical well-being.”
“The extension will be known as the Robert A. Granato Senior Annex,” announced Bruce on June 5. Bob served on the Board of the PNC for 15 years and could be found almost everyday at the center working on something. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could see this project completed. “Bob’s energy and dedication lives on,” said Bruce. “Bob jumped up and worked tirelessly to play a role, a part, to make this dream a reality.”
Celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. It is the most important patriotic holiday ever since. Declaration of Independence, a full and formal declaration adopted July 4, 1776, by representatives of the Thirteen Colonies in North America announcing the separation of those colonies from Great Britain and making them into the United States. Look inside this issue for how your neighbors will celebrate and don’t miss the parades in your town.
