This time of the year reminds us of the special people that live, work and volunteer in our region. They make the good news happen! At the top of the list of this issue’s good news is when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition hosted by ABC-TV came to Voluntown to build a home for the Girard Family. The Girard Family lost their home in a fire one year ago. Pinnacles of their community, the Girards suffered even more tragedy after the fire. A BIG thank you to all those who participated in this wonder community-spirited project, including the 64 members of the Rose City Chapter of Business Network International Connecticut (BNICT). Meet the team of Home Designs by Bruno in Colchester who helped build a beautiful home in seven days on page 4.
On December 11th, at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Auction. Leading the list of honorees as recipient of the 2008 Community Service Award is the familiar, community-minded, Jim O’Boyle, a Mystic resident since 1962. Meet Jim on page 5.
Making history is always the BEST! The Mohegan Tribe made history when Matt Kobyluck was crowned the first Native American to win a NASCAR Series Championship. It was a heartwarming experience witnessing Champion Matt accepting the coveted NASCAR trophy on page 7.
Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news” happen.
The 64 members of the Rose City Chapter of BNICT (Business Network Intl. CT) are among the ‘true stars’ in the building of a new home for ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” program. On December 4, the program’s star, Ty Pennington, traveled to Voluntown to tell the Girard family that within seven days they would have a new home. Thanks to ABC-TV’s call to Bruce “Bruno” Hayn, owner of Home Designs by Bruno in Colchester and a member of the BNICT Rose City Chapter in Norwich, thousands of people offered to volunteer their enormous talents and time to build a home – in one week’s time – for the family. Bruno was among the thousands of people who shed tears of pure joy when the Girard family saw their ‘castle-like’ new home on chilly and rainy December 11th. Dedicated crews had 106 hours to finish the home that Bruno’s lead team of contractors began working on nonstop for five weeks leading up to December 4th when the Girard family was informed they were chosen to receive the new home.
The Girard family lost their original home to an accidental fire one year ago. All seven family members moved into a tent, then a tiny camper on the family’s property. They then moved into a family member’s home 40 miles from where the children attended school. Double tragedy then struck when father, Thomas, and eldest son, Marc, both drowned during a family swim in a nearby lake, leaving Carol and her four children, Adam, Jacqueline, Lucas, and Hannah devastated.
Pinnacles of their community, the Girard family was always participating in charitable missions and activities in their community. Father and son were both members of the Friars and the Knights of La Ponte, and they were known to embody the spirit of generosity and dedication in every aspect of their lives. Marc graduated from Norwich Free Academy and was planning on becoming a priest, and Thom, a computer technician by trade, had donated his time to fundraisers for the elderly and poor while he repaired computers for the children’s elementary school.
ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” airs on Sunday nights 8:00 PM EST, 7:00 CST. The show featuring the home for the Girard family and BNIC Rose City Chapter members is scheduled to air on Sunday, February 8. For more information on this specific ABC-TV “Extreme Makeover” project, visit the Home Designs by Bruno website, www.extremehomebybruno.com. To learn more about the BNI Rose City chapter, visit www.rosecitybnict.com, and for information on BNI Connecticut, visit www.bnict.com or call 860.658.7545.
Dr. George Sprecace, New London, was elected President of the New London Maritime Society during the organization’s recent 26th annual meeting at the Custom House Maritime Museum.
George succeeds Gregory Roth, who served two one-year terms.
Other officers elected during the meeting were Richard Dixon and Benjamin Martin, Vice Presidents; Gwendolyn Bosco, Secretary; John Desjardins, Treasurer and Oliver Porter, Parliamentarian.
New board of trustees members elected included Fred Calabretta and Robert Stewart.
Susan Tamulavich, Executive Director, awarded certificates of appreciation for their volunteer work during the past year to Mary Alapa, Vincentia Belbruno, Archie Chester, Russell DeMarco, John Desjardins, Lee Krantz, William LaRoue, Ruth Nagle, Jim Reyburn, Mariea Spencer and Dan Wolverton.
On Saturday, December 6th, New London Main Street presented their annual “Celebration of Lights & Song,” an afternoon of holiday fun throughout the Historic Waterfront District.
The day started with the Pooch Parade, beginning at the New London Library and marched through downtown New London. Local dogs dressed in holiday garb, Tator the Gator, The Eastern CT Ballet, Scrooge, The Mitchell College Wave, the New London High School Marching Band and none other than local celebrity dog trainer, Gleanna Doyle, escorted Santa as he arrived in a fire truck. The parade ended at the Hygienic Art Park where kids (and pooches) were able to get their pictures taken with Santa. Choral performances were provided by both the ISAAC School and Harbor School.
Throughout the afternoon, there were festive activities and performances by several local and professional dance troupes, including a preview of The Eastern CT Ballet’s Nutcracker. At the end of the day was the annual lighting of the community tree along with caroling and hot chocolate.
The event was sponsored by Liberty Bank, City of New London, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, Mariani & Reck, Job Target, Wagging Tails Doggie Day Care and Gleanna Doyle Animal Training. Media sponsors were MetroCast and KOOL101. For more information please visit www.newlondonmainstreet.org or call 860.444.2489 for full event details.
On December 11th, at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Auction. Leading the list of honorees as recipient of the 2008 Community Service Award is the familiar, community-minded, Jim O’Boyle, a Mystic resident since 1962. Hats off to this year’s committee members for their choice, as Jim O’Boyle is well deserving of this award and what it represents.
On a personal note, as a kid, growing up in Stonington in the sixties, I can remember Jim’s volunteer efforts for our St. Mary’s Church. I was honored when as a young teen, Jim recruited me to design some posters for the church’s annual bazaar, a very popular fundraiser. My memory of delivering the finished product to Jim made quite an impression and always stayed with me. Jim reached in his pocket and pulled out $15 of his own money. “Will this cover it?” Jim asked.
Wow! I was just happy being asked. Certainly, I wasn’t expecting payment for my effort, as it was for a church function. I hesitated to take his money but he insisted. It’s uncanny how some of our childhood memories of a person’s qualities are right on target. And, it’s even better when our early perceptions of a person don’t have to change!
Jim moved to Mystic to work for Bill Shea at the Shea-Williams Funeral Home. Later, he worked for the Neilan Funeral Home in New London and became the manager of the Mystic Branch, which they opened in 1982. As a savvy businessman, Jim bought the funeral home from the Neilans and renamed it the Mystic Funeral Home in 1992. Last year, he sold the business to Stephen King.
Jim, always humble, begins his acceptance speech at the podium by recognizing his family in attendance: wife, Thomasine; son, Luke; daughter, LTC Shannon and grandchildren. He thanks people for “paying the $75 to come” especially his poker playing buddies, who, he jokes, “whine about five and ten cent raises.”
Jim reminisces about Mystic back in the 60’s when, “You could eat at the Modern Grill, Seaport, Archie’s, or Hilbert’s Luncheonette. Have ice cream at Janiero’s. Get your groceries at Pic ‘n Pay, and buy the belt for your lawnmower from Speed Doyle. The transaction would take longer than mowing the lawn.”
“There was no Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village, or large hotels. What is known today, as the Golden Triangle was dominated by Russ Welles’ Mayflower Restaurant. The Mystic Chamber of Commerce office was a phone in the back room of Squadrito’s Oasis Package Store on Cottrell Street.”
What do these places have in common? “They’re no longer there,” said Jim. “Mystic has evolved from the quiet little town I came to in 1962… The greater Mystic Community thrives on change.” “The area has become a destination.” “All of the previously mentioned locations have new businesses in their places. The Mystic Chamber of Commerce has rightfully become The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.”
“If along the way I was able to make some small contribution to this effort, then, I have given back in a very small way, to the Community that has been so generous to my family and me.”
Employer of the Year Award was presented to Al Dion of Groton Utilities. Volunteer of the Year Award was given to David Clay and special recognition was given to both Doug Teeson and the late Anthony P. Halsey. Outgoing Chamber President Eric Janney passed the torch to incoming President Chris Rixon.
Jim’s contribution to our community:
• Volunteer, Pioneer Hook & Ladder Co., Stonington FD
• Volunteer at Pawcatuck and Wequetequock FDs.
• President for the Wequetequock First District
• St. Micheal’s Holy Name Society
• Pawcatuck Lions Club
• Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Westerly-Pawcatuck
• Past Grand Knight, Nina Council Knights of Columbus
• Faithful Navigator, Nina Assembly 4th Degree
• Secretary, Stonington High School Athletic Boosters Club
• Board of Governors, Stonington Community Center
• Stonington Water Pollution Control Authority
• Vice Chairman, Stonington Plan of Conservation and Development Committee
• Advisory Board, Mortuary Science Program at Briarwood College
• Member, Stonington Lodge #26 Independent Order of Odd Fellows
• Member of CT Board of Directors, Fairview Odd Fellows Home
• Board of Police Commissioners, Stonington
• Town Meeting Moderator, Stonington
This time of the year reminds us of the special people that live, work and volunteer in our region. They make the good news happen! At the top of the list of this issue’s good news is when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition hosted by ABC-TV came to Voluntown to build a home for the Girard Family. The Girard Family lost their home in a fire one year ago. Pinnacles of their community, the Girards suffered even more tragedy after the fire. A BIG thank you to all those who participated in this wonder community-spirited project, including the 64 members of the Rose City Chapter of Business Network International Connecticut (BNICT). Meet the team of Home Designs by Bruno in Colchester who helped build a beautiful home in seven days on page 4.
