It’s a win-win situation for Grasso Tech students and Fairview Odd Fellows Home. Grasso students gained hands-on training when they installed a stereo system for the non-profit retirement home. Now, the folks at Fairview can enjoy music while dining. Meet the team of students on page 4.
Dime Bank wins the hearts of 20 children from Norwich when they each received a reconditioned bike, helmet, backpack and school supplies. Teaming up with Bike For Kids, a non-profit organization based in Old Lyme, Dime’s president, Jim Cronin, played the part of a pirate asking the kids, “Do you know what treasure we have here for you?” Celebrate good news on page 5.
Wow! Last weekend, walkers, runners, kids, adults and seniors from around the State joined Fred Poulos in the 5th Annual Walk With Fred fundraiser benefiting Parkinson Research. Fred, owner of Fred’s Shanty, New London, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease six years ago. At the opening of the ceremony, the weather looked grim and people prepared to get wet. Fred announced, “The support that I receive from all of you makes me want to fight harder. I will be walking with you today and I will make sure the sun comes out.” Within a blink of an eye, the sun peered through the clouds! Miracles do happen especially when you’re doing good things like Fred is. Meet Fred on page 5.
Congrats to our friends at Mohegan Sun on the opening of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in the all new Casino of the Wind. Mitchell Etess, President & CEO and Tribal Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum pointed out that this fun venue makes Mohegan true parrot head country and it’s the first restaurant to enjoy a water view! Celebrate the fun on page 24.
When Ella T. Grasso Regional Technical High School students and Fairview Odd Fellows Home collaborate, they both benefit. Fairview had an unusual dilemma in their dining rooms. The staff frequently plays music for the residents to enjoy, but with a simple boom box, music at one end of the long room was way too loud, while it was too quite at the other end. The solution: Grasso Tech’s 10th Grade Electrical Shop volunteered their time and skills to install a stereo system for the non-profit retirement home.
Fairview purchased the equipment, and the students installed it free of charge. “It’s a real bonus for us,” said David Brown, director of development, Fairview. “We probably wouldn’t have done it. It just cost too much.”
“The learning experience is worth more,” said Jamie Lamitie, instructor, Grasso Tech Electrical Program.
It may seem like something small, but to the residents, the addition of speakers is something they will enjoy everyday. “This will effect their quality of life,” said Dave.
Working on real production sites is part of the Electrical Shop curriculum, and this was the first for the tenth grade class. In fact, when students graduate from the program.
Dime Bank hosted a ceremony at their Norwichtown branch on Friday, October 2nd as part of the Bikes for Kids initiative. Dime Bank partnered with Bikes for Kids, a non-profit organization based in Old Lyme, to present 20 underprivileged children from Norwich with reconditioned bicycles, helmets, backpacks, and school supplies.
During the ceremony, Jim Cronin, President, Dime Bank, pulled on his special “pirate” glasses and announced, “Pirates have treasure, and we have treasure for you! Do you know what treasure we have here for you?”
“Bikes!” said the kids.
The children were picked with help from Norwich Human Services and Madonna Place.
“This is the first year that Dime Bank has participated with Bikes for Kid,” said Sarah Matthews, Vice President of Marketing, Dime Bank. and coordinator of the event “Dime Bank is very involved in the community. When we heard about Bikes for Kids, we thought this is something we could do with the Dime.”
Bikes for Kids was formed in 1989 by Chuck Graeb to provide disadvantaged children with free bicycles. Their motto, “Put a smile on a kid’s face!” held true.
On September 28th walkers, runners, kids, adults and seniors from all around CT, did the unselfish act of supporting an individual and his cause of raising money for Parkinson Research. Fred Poulos, Owner, Fred’s Shanty, New London, co-founded the walk after he was struck with the disease.
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological condition, which is caused by the progressive deterioration of the substantia nigra in the midbrain. The condition causes uncontrollable moments of the body. Several known celebrities who suffer from this condition are Muhammad Ali, and Michael J. Fox.
This year’s 2.2-mile walk was dedicated to one of Fred’s good friends and one of the founders of the walk, Dave Waddington, who passed away this year.
At the opening of the ceremonies, the weather looked as if individuals were going to have to trudge soaking wet in the rain. When Fred approached the microphone he said to each one of the supporters, “The support that I receive from all of you makes me want to fight harder. I will be walking with you today, and I will make sure the sun comes out.” As soon as he made that statement with a blink of his ocean blue eyes the sun peered out from the dark clouds above, and the walk began with the roar of the crowd.
The money raised from the walk went to fund research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders (IND). IND is an independent medical research facility in New Haven staffed by scientists who utilize the latest tools for early diagnosis and improving treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Karen Caplan, Director of Development, IND said, “It is so inspiring to help Fred with the fundraiser, he is the most lovable person, and people like him are what make a difference in trying to spread awareness about this disease. It is crucial to find the disorder as quickly as possible, the Neuro protective and regenerative medicines will retard in the early stages of its progression. The cells that are dying are the ones that produce dopamine, which allows the brain to talk with the muscles so that an individual can have smooth moments. Money earned will go to experimental studies, and through the data that we find from the studies we will be able to find better treatment.” For more information on The Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, contact them at 203-401-4300.
It’s a win-win situation for Grasso Tech students and Fairview Odd Fellows Home. Grasso students gained hands-on training when they installed a stereo system for the non-profit retirement home. Now, the folks at Fairview can enjoy music while dining. Meet the team of students on page 4.
