On this sunny day in June, about 50 people gather in the Town Hall of Griswold in Jewett City to honor a very special and loved man, Alphonse Basilicato. About half of those are members of Al’s family coming from all around. The other people are town officials, store keepers in Jewett City and residents. Why all this hubbub? Who is Al anyway?
“Every single day in Jewett City, Al Basilicato pushes his cart through our streets using his broom and shovel to pick up any debris he finds. No one ever asks Al to do this. He just does it. Ususally three times a day he is out there, and because of him, our streets never looked so clean! He doesn’t expect to get a dime for his work. Al has been doing this for over ten years now,” explains Alan Greer, Burgess, Town of Griswold, “Today we take the time to honor him and thank him in a special way. We should have done this a long time ago.”
During the ceremony that takes place in the Town Hall, First Selectman Philip Anthony, Town of Griswold, Representative Steven Mikautel, 45th District, and Alan make short speeches and present Al with framed certificates of honor, gift certificates to stores in town and a safety vest to wear on the street.
Steven reads his presentation aloud, “In recognition of the selflessness, commitment and pride you show in helping to make this city a better place, we hearby proclaim June 12th to be hereafter known as Alphonse Basilicato Day.”
Al is also given another very special gift. He is presented with a new push cart inscribed with “Big Al” on the side, garbage can, work gloves and long handled street broom.
Everyone in the room is shaking hands with Al and giving him hugs. “I just want to make people happy,” Al beams. “That is all I want to do.”
Al’s mother, Adrian Lees, drove all the way from her home in Vermont with her husband. Adrian is so proud of her son. With tears of happiness in her eyes, she tells me, “He just wants to make people smile. That’s all he wants.”
Amazing as Al’s story is, there is more. Back in the 1980’s when Al was 19-years-old and visiting his father in Florida, he was walking along a highway with a friend. Both of them were struck by a drunk driver. His friend died and Al was left with traumatic brain injury. Al was in a coma following the accident, and his doctors did not think he would ever walk or talk again.
Anyone with questions on how they can donate and support Al Basilicato’s effort can call Alan Geer at 860. 334.5572.
Celebrities, entertainers and professional athletes played in the 12th annual Native American Classic, June 8-9, at the Lake of Isles golf resort in North Stonington. The two-day event, hosted by professional golfer Jim Thorpe, is a fundraiser to supplement the financial resources for educational and athletic programs. The money raised is distributed to Catching the Dream, the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and various youth organizations throughout SECT.
“Sincerely, it’s an honor,” said Richard E. Sebastian, Councilor, MPTN, when asked how he liked playing golf with the legendary Jim Thorpe, host and champion PGA Tour. “In all the tournaments I have played in, this is the first one I ever played with him. I had him for 18 holes. It’s impressive, even at his age, what he is capable of. The last three to four holes, we were getting tired, but this guy is getting stronger.”
“You do the best you can and there’s nothing else you can do,” said Jim. Apparently, Jim’s best is good enough, as he helped his team to victory on the South Course. “It is my pleasure to give back.”
Sharon Otto was watching TV at home in Groton three years ago, when she saw an advertisement for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Mentors were needed to form a relationship with a child and make a positive difference in that child’s life.
“What a good idea,” Sharon thought to herself. “What a great thing to do.” Missing a personal relationship with a child in her life, Sharon signed up for the program and started her training.
At the same time, Gina was at home in Waterford jealously watching her older sister Katie come and go with Katie’s “Big Sister,” Barbara. “I saw the good time Katie was having and wanted a ‘Big Sister’ of my own,” Gina shares with me.
In a few months, Sharon Otto and Gina were matched as a Big and Little Sister, and they were off on adventures and good times of their own.
I am in New London ,by the river walk, chatting with Sharon and Gina today, May 31, three years later. “Gina and I do lots of things together,” says Sharon, “but best of all she likes to do crafts.” “Yes,” Gina nods on agreement. “Is this where I get to tell you what we do? We do scrapbooking together with pictures Sharon takes of things we do together. I like doing this.”
“Gina also likes to work with clay,” Sharon adds. “Yes, I do like that,” Gina continues. “I am taking a Yoga class,” Sharon tells me, “and Gina goes too.”
Sharon and Gina meet once a week for a special activity and sometimes twice a week. Sometimes they just hang out and watch a movie.
The next day I meet with Tom Brown and his Little Brother Malcolm. I use that word “little” loosely as Malcolm, at age 15, now towers over Tom!
Tom is enlisted in the Coast Guard as a principal trumpet player in the Coast Guard Band. Tom and Malcom were matched in 2003. “I just thought it would be a wonderful thing to give back to a child as a Big Brother through our friendship and spending time together,” Tom tells me.
“Gosh, we do so many different things,” Malcolm shares. “It seems like we go all around the world. We have been to Boston to see a Celtics game, and we also went to New York City and saw a lot. Once I even went up in an airplane with Tom and flew over my house! Tom and I also made a lasagna dinner for my family.”
Both Sharon Otto and Tom Brown epitomize what the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is all about. In recognition of this, Tom and Sharon were awarded with the title of Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year at the annual State of CT Big Brothers Big Sisters meeting on May 21 at the Groton Motor Inn.
They are surprised and pleased with this honor. But more importantly, they each have a new friend for life.
Mentor are always needed for the Big Brother Big Sister program. For more information call 860.437.3227.
Long-time RI resident and business owner, Carrie Baird, tried her hand for the first time at coordinating the Westerly Downtown Solstice Festival held on Thursday, June 19.
Many residents of Westerly know Carrie as owner of Carrie’s Shoes at 26 A High Street. She is also president of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Downtown Business Association. “Downtown Westerly seemed the perfect location for a shoe store because it was centrally located amongst CT and RI towns and cities in an area where there had been no shoe stores in years,” said Carrie.
Carrie is also co-owner of Diane’s Beachwear located in Watch Hill.
Carrie’s duties for the Solstice Festival ranged from working with licenses, permits and insurance to booking food vendors and contacting the 35 volunteers.
“I have a Solstice Committee who I have to thank dearly for their hard work. This would never happen without them!” said Carrie. “We have a lot of volunteers from the Church at Westerly, and downtown merchants are volunteering for the event.”
Festival goers enjoyed carnival games – such as ring toss, mini-golf putt, bean bag toss, tic-tac-toe toss, and a basketball shooting contest – a 30” high rock wall owned by Ollie’s Rock Wall, an obstacle course, and a Jumparoo moonwalk.
Among the delicacies available at the Taste of Westerly Food Court were Antonio’s steak and cheese grinders, Van Ghent Crepes, Dusty’s Ice Cream, Perks & Corks, Café Mario’s Italian Pastries, Del’s Lemonade, Caboose Kettle Corn, and The Bayou Barbeque.
There were two stages for performances during the Festival. The event kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with a dance performance by Ms. Michelle’s L’Ecole de Danse, which lasted about twenty minutes. This performance took place on the first stage, located at the intersection of Broad and High Streets.
At 6:00 p.m. on the same stage, the Westerly All-Stars, a local rock-n-roll band, performed until sunset. Joey Nigrelli, a member of the band, is the vice president of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Downtown Business Association. His family owns Nigrelli’s Jewelry, located in downtown Westerly.
The second stage was in front of Northeast Karate Studios at 39 High Street. There was a karate performance by Northeast Karate from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. Ms. Michelle’s L’Ecole de Danse performed again from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. on this stage.
Face painting was available at the Kids Imagination Station, a craft tent for kids. Some crafts offered included coloring, stained glass, beading, rubber stamping, sticker art, decorating sunglasses and blowing bubbles.
“The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, from sunrise to sunset,” explained Carrie. “The Solstice Festival is a celebration of the start of the summer months which is one of the greatest times of the year here in Westerly.”
What do a boa constrictor, a bubble tube, and a pyramid of Egypt all have in common? They are just some of the entertaining and educational exhibits to be found this summer at the Children’s Museum of SECT in Niantic.
The newest of many additions to the museum is an exhibit titled Kelsey’s Vision, and is designed to stimulate all of the senses. It contains a complete tactile wall, along with numerous auditory aspects and a five foot bubble tube that can be altered by controls at the base. Museum staples Rictor the Boa Constrictor and the benthic submarine are still here, along with newer items such as a pyramid of Egypt and a miniature Flanders Fish Market.
A new program at the museum this summer is Preschool Science, best for children ages 3-5. It is offered on Monday afternoons at 1:30. Topics range from Ocean Life (watching crabs and lobsters move and handling seaweed) to different kinds of binoculars to solar energy and power. For more information about this program, or any of our other programs, please visit our website at www.childrensmuseumsect.org or call 860.691.1111.
Friday nights are half price family nights and the museum is open until 8:00 p.m. The rest of the week the museum is open from 9:30 to 5:00 and Sundays from Noon to 5:00. Museum admission is $6 per person, and free for children under the age of 1 and members as well. If you would prefer a less crowded time to visit, then please come in the late afternoon or shortly after we open at 9:30. Located near parks, beaches, shopping, and affordable dining, the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut is an ideal addition to your family’s summer to-do list.
To give you an idea of the lasting impact this museum can have on a child, let me tell you how I am connected to the museum. I visited frequently as a child with my mother, and when I was looking for a volunteer opportunity in middle school, the museum seemed like an ideal choice. I relived the glory days of my childhood while helping the museum. I volunteered here from 7th grade through my senior year, and I am now a marketing intern after completing my freshman year of college.
Thank you for your support and we hope to make the Children’s Museum of SECT part of your summer schedule.
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