story & photo
by Christopher Annino

Mystic Holiday Boat Parade

On a crisp Saturday evening many gathered to witness the annual Mystic Holiday Boat Parade.  Over 20 boats from CT, RI and NY were decorated with lights parading down the beautiful glimmering Mystic River. The boats were judged in four categories Most Charismatic Crew, Best Dressed, Most Innovative, and the highest honor of the night the title of Miss Mystic. The three judges for the night were Donna Ralston, tax assessor, East Hampton,  Heather Picazio from The Mystic Monkey, and journalist Christopher Annino substituting for Alexis Ann, Editor/Publisher  of The Resident. Toys were also  donated to benefit the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Shelter.

The event was hosted by The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and  sponsored by The VooDoo Grill, The Mystic Monkey, West Marine, Seaport Marine, and Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW. Other key people to make this event possible are Kathleen Burns, Dan Burns, and Joe Cocere who assisted with the chase boat and refereed the event.

At the end of the night the winners were announced near the Christmas tree in the Mystic River Park in front of a rather joyful audience. For Most Charismatic Crew the award goes to H. Thaxter Tewksbury with his boat The Envirolab III.  Gerry Ledger of Electric Custom Marine Canvas receives Most Innovative. Best Dressed goes to Adam Wronoski with his patriotic tug boat John Paul. The Miss Mystic award goes to one of the smallest, but most meaningful boats in the line up,  Patience, themed as Angel Ride and Mike Smiles, owner.

Angel Ride, www.angelride.org, is a foundation that is associated with the late Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang. Through cross country bike-a-thons, they raise money to benefit individuals and families who suffer from health problems. They will be riding Memorial Day weekend and invite all to either join in riding or sponsoring a rider. For more information on the event go to www.angelcharitabletrust.org/ride.

Santa and the Nutcracker Visit

What better way to set the tone for the Christmas spirit than to invite the hardest working man in the gift giving business, St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus to Mystic for carols, and cheer. Santa arrived on non other than the tugboat John Paul, captained by Adam Wronoski. Santa stayed the whole day engaging with children, both young and old.

Also in attendance was the Nutcracker giving out candy and promoting The 7th Annual Eastern CT Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker at the Garde Arts Center December 13th and 14th.

Bill Scheer,  a Seaport Blacksmith said, “ I think it is great to celebrate Christmas like this. All of these families together creating memories, we owe much thanks to the Mystic Chamber of Commerce and especially Jeff Marshall.  I think Santa would agree that Jeff represents the true spirit of Christmas because of his volunteer work with getting a tree for our town and decorating it for all to enjoy.”

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story & photo
by Christopher Annino

Our present day economy is faced by health, social, and global challenges. Citizens and members from the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce gathered last year to devise a plan to deal with these issues. The idea was to have a community bike program so that tourists or locals could utilize public bicycles as a transit system. Many local business and organizations such as Groton Elks, Bank Square Books, CMB Creative Group, Mystic Market, Cyndi’s Pet Care, Docko Inc, Pizzetta, Hair Unique, RiverWalk Restaurant, Rotary Club of Mystic, Sea Swirl, Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Grover Insurance LLC, and Mystic Cycle Center assisted in making this idea a reality.

This summer 94 bikes were donated for this public project. Out of the 94 bikes 23 were utilized this summer, certain areas in Mystic such as The Mystic Depot Welcome Center, The Mystic and Noank Library, The Noank Shipyard, Pizzetta, and Seaport Marine harbored the community bikes. Mystic Cycle Center assisted with readying the bikes for public use.

“I think it’s a great idea. In a way, we have solved the three major problems in our country global warming, obesity, and traffic. It is a great way to get healthy by saving money.  I feel that we eventually need to encourage bike paths and lockers to make it more accessible for people. People want to ride their bikes, but they also need to be safe” said Rob Kapell, owner, Mystic Cycle Works .

The program has gone under the name Mystic Community Bikes Inc, and after not even a year they already have a board of directors which includes President Tim Evers, Vice-President Tricia Cunningham, Secretary Rich Froh, Treasurer Keith Hallal, Tim Babcock, Arnold Adams, Rick Ely, Maggie Jones, Brian Kent, and Peter Roper.

“I have always enjoyed riding a bike it’s a convenient viable means of transportation. It’s also feeling of freedom, our first year was a tremendous success, and we will continue to allow this program to grow as time goes on” said Vice-President Tricia Cunningham. The program is closed from November 1st and will re-open May 1st, for more information on Mystic Community Bikes inc go to www.MysticComunityBikes.org or call 860.572.9578.

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by Annie Chapman

A Night with Dave Mason

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Mason rocked the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun on Sunday, November 31st, and I had a front row seat! Nothing was missing from my experience listening to Dave Mason perform “Good 2 U,” a sure to be hit off of his recently released album “26 Letters – 12 Notes.”  Whoever that song was written for, I want it to be me.  That song, the words and the guitar are soulful and sexy.  “Good 2 U,” with many other of Dave’s songs, are now permanently on my iPod to get me through my five-mile run.

If you didn’t already know, Dave is the co-founder of the legendary rock band Traffic.  Born in May of 1944 in Worcester, England. Dave’s musical career dates back to the 1960s.  He’s played with Traffic, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac, and many others.

On Sunday night, I chair, or should I say banquette, danced and sang my way through great classics like “We Just Disagree,” Dave’s solo hit, written by Jim Kruger back in 1977, and a staple on radio play lists.  “Are Your Legs Tired Yet” a fun country swing beat on his new album has such life, it definitely gives one the urge to dance.

Dave told us he was 22 years old when he wrote, “Should Have Taken More Than You Gave” an old classic. He said, “It’s probably more appropriate now.”  I wonder what that meant? Another one on my hit list is “Only You Know and I Know” which was off his first album “Alone Together” released in 1970.

For that one true love you just can’t forget, “One Day” is the song that brings him/her to mind.  I felt like I already knew the strum of each guitar string and the next word Dave was about to sing.  Track 3 on “26 Letters-12 Notes.”

Of course the fans were not going to leave without an encore.  Thank goodness, because I was not ready for it to end.  The band returned to sing “How Do I Get to Heaven” a song on “26 Letters – 12 Notes.”  I have to say, I hung on its every word for personal reasons when previewing the new album.  It gave me goose bumps.  I learned Sunday night it was written in bits and pieces and left behind by an old and dear friend Jim Capaldi who was finding his way to heaven.  Jim passed on, but I know that every time his good friend Dave sings that song, Jim can hear it up there in heaven.

He and his band ended the night with “Feeling Alright” which was written when he was 18 on an island off of Greece. “Feeling Alright” recorded with Traffic in 1968, is one of Dave’s best known songs and has been recorded by over some 40 artists like Joe Crocker, Three Dog Night, and Gladys Knight and the Pips. As the song began, fans moved from their seats to the floor in front of the stage to dance and sing with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist Dave Mason.  Dave Mason and band finished the night to their second standing ovation and well-deserved.  It was a fabulous show.

The good news is the band may have played their last song, but the night wasn’t over for me.  About half way through the show, I was joined by my new friend, Ted, who invited me backstage to get up close and personal with Dave Mason.  Teddy, as I call him, introduced me to all the band members… and soon I was making dinner reservations at Jasper White’s Summer Shack for Dave Mason, myself, yes, read that again, myself, Ted, John, Jennifer and David.  Can you stand it?  Jennifer, David and I went to Jasper White’s Summer Shack and eagerly awaited the rest of our party.  Dave stayed behind to sign autographs and greet fans.

When Dave and friends arrived, Dave sat right next to me and was quietly pleased to see smelts on the blackboard specials.  He ordered enough for all of us to try.  Everyone loved the smelts.  I suggested a delicious beaujolais to Dave. He liked my choice of wine.  I’m not sure how long our dinner lasted, as time flew by like we were all old friends, laughing and sharing stories from everyone’s past.  I found Dave Mason to be humble and easy to be around, and of course, loved his British humor.  Teddy, Dave and I hit the casino floor and they actually won on the slots!  It was a great night all around.  I do have one question still unanswered from my time with Dave, “What’s in the bag, Dave?”

If Jasper White’s motto is “Food is Love,” then Dave’s might be “Music is Love.”  After all his years of composing and performing, Dave’s admittedly long time coming new album “26 Letters – 12 Notes” is here.  However you purchase your music these days, iTunes, Amazon.com, or better yet your local business owner, get this album for yourself and one to give this holiday season.  And feel the LOVE.

For more information on Dave Mason and his talented band members visit www.dave-mason.com.

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