As you read this Year In Review issue, you can see that the Resident Good News Tabloid was busy covering people doing good things in our communities. The Best of 2008 includes, believe it or not, economic development especially, in the first half of the year.
Foxwoods Resort Casino celebrated its Sweet 16 Birthday in February and opened the $700 million MGM Grand in May. The Mashantucket Pequots gave $51,411 to community Park & Recreation Departments here while chairman Bill Stanley extended his deadline into 2008 to raise the 8.4 Million for the 2007 United Way Campaign. Cheers for a job well done!
The Mohegan Tribe held a Topping Off Ceremony for their new 64,000 sq. ft. Casino of the Wind on January 2nd and an extravagant opening on August 29th for “the third wonder of the world” here.
After dedicating 42 years to the Stonington Police, Chief David P. Erskine, passes the torch swearing in Darren Stewart as his replacement, here.
The Year 2008 was all about the Chamber of Eastern CT and the City of New London celebrating our US Coast Guard. Meet the leaders here. Also, Robert Marelli, Jr., founder and president, Seconn Fabrications of Waterford as the Northeastern Regional Finalist of the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.
Enjoy a look back at 2008. Let’s look forward to New Beginnings 2009. A warm thank you, from the heart, for making the good news happen! Remember to patronize our advertisers and tell them that you saw their ad in the Resident Good News Community Tabloid.
The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s Athletic Commission presented checks to officials of Ledyard, North Stonington, Preston and the Pawcatuck Lions Club, totaling $51,411 during a friendly gathering and luncheon held in the Lake of Isles Golf Club House on December 20, 2007. MPTN Tribal Councilor, Richard E. Sebastian, John Hines, Director, N. Stonington Parks and Recreation, N. Stonington First Selectman Nicholas Mullane II, Ledyard Mayor Fred Allyn, Jr., Don Griese, Ledyard Parks & Recreation, MPTN Councilor/Treasurer Rodney Butler, Councilor Maureen Sebastian, Belsita and Angelo Miceli, and Preston First Selectman Robert Congdon.
January 23, 2008
Money Raising Words: $8.4 Million, Anything Less Is “Unacceptable”
The United Way of Southeastern CT surpassed the 2007 campaign goal of $8.4 million – a result of $8,437,189 in donations. Bill Stanley, 2007 United Way Campaign Chair, Vice President, Development & Community Relations, L & M Hospital sends out a big thanks.
Wind Bites as Mohegan Sun Tops Off Casino of the Wind
Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribal Council Chairman, performed a Topping Off ceremony for the Casino of the Wind, on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at Mohegan Sun Casino..
Art Singer’s Dream Takes Shape in Noank Foundry & Sculpture Studio
Art Singer is an artistic visionary with plans to further his own sculpture interests while providing a studio for others to find and embrace dreams and capabilities.
Meet Carol Chapman of Mystic, A Real “Renaissance Woman”
Carol Chapman, Mystic, is a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, hostess extraordinaire, gardener, and a super professional Realtor. (l-r) Carrie Pfieffer, Annie Chapman, Carol “Chappy” Chapman, and Courtland “Court” Chapman smile for a picture at Chappy’s garden party.
Groton‘s Fairview Receives $647,000 Gift
Fairview, in Groton, received the largest single donation in its 114 year history from the late Elizabeth and Miriam Kiegler.
February 20, 2008
Local Woman Starts Foundation for AIDS Orphans in Kenya
Lela Edgar, formerly of Old Lyme and East Lyme started a foundation to help AIDS orphans in Machakos, Kenya, Make A Change Productions, in March of 2006.
Foxwoods Serves Elaborate Cake, Celebrating 16 Years of Memories, Successes
Foxwoods Resort Casino celebrated its 16th Anniversary on February 15th, with complimentary cake, coffee, and lots of prizes. Members of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Management Team thanked guests for their patronage.
After 42 Years, Stonington Police Chief, David P. Erskine, Passes the Torch
David P. Erskine, Stonington Police Chief, swears in Darren Stewart as the new Stonington Police Chief.
The day before New Year’s Eve at the Cabaret Theatre in Mohegan Sun, larger than life, Hunk-A-Hunk-A Man Country Music Superstar discussed his newly published book as part of the Sun’s Winning Authors event – “Trace Adkins Personal Stand:Observations and Opinions from a Free Thinking Roughneck” and later a performance in the Arena.
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT
Initiates City of New London – Coast Guard Celebration
During a February 7th meeting, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT announced a celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 26th in conjunction with the USCG. (l-r) Planning for upcoming festivities to celebrate the USCG and the City of New London are Cadet Andrew Norberg, CGA, Kevin J. Cavanagh, mayor, City of New London, Rear Admiral Scott J. Burhoe, superintendent, USCGA, and Margaret Curtin, council member, City of New London, and others.
Whale Rock Oysters and Artie Valdez: Nurturing Delicious Gems of Success
Arturo Valdez’s, Groton, “Whale Rock Oysters attract devotees throughout the U.S. and internationally.”
Language Conference Focuses on Reclamation of Native American Dialects
The Fourth Biennial Conference on the Reclamation of Indigenous Languages was held Feb. 20-21 at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. Charlene Jones, Tribal Councilor/Secretary said, “It’s been in my hopes and dreams, since I was six years old, that our language would be in the community.”
March 19, 2008
Local Scottish Dancers Celebrate 25th & Robert Burns
On February 9th, the Mystic Scottish Country Dancers marked their 25th anniversary at the Groton Motor Inn during their annual salute to the “Bard of Scotland,” Robert Burns.The group has practiced and exhibited traditional Scottish dancing since 1982 and honoring the memory of Robert Burns since 1984.
Seconn Fabrications of Waterford was chosen as the Northeastern Regional Finalist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.The company demonstrates what a small business should be: strives to surpass its customers’ expectations and regularly participates in improving its local community and the region. “…you need to give back when you can,” said Robert Marelli, Jr., founder and president, Seconn.
New London Historical Society Reprints Book
On February 29 , the New London Historical Society held a book release reception celebrating the most recent printing of Frances Manwaring Caulkins’ classic, “History of New London, CT: From theFirst Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1860.”
Octagon Receives AAA Four Diamond Award for Fourth Time
(l-r) Steve Rosen, executive chef, Octagon and the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, and Cindi Houlihan, restaurant manager, Octagon smile after the Octagon received its fourth AAA Four Diamond Award.
Westerly’s Calabrese Society Celebrates 90 Years
George Salimeno, president of Westerly’s Societa Cittadini Calabro Americana, and the son of one of the original six founders, is proud to celebrate the Society’s 90th anniversary in April.
Pawca-Talk Run-Hers
The Pawca-Talk Run-Hers (l-r) Anne Schrempf, Christine Edwards, Kathy Sanford, Sue McVeigh, Lynne Gallucci, Amy Ruenzal, Carol Gilles, Deb Jaccarino, Sue McCarthy, Alexa Jaccarino, Allison Hughes, Laura Metzger, and Anne Collette trained for and participated in the Fifth Annual More Magazine Half-Marathon, in Central Park, on April 6.
World Renowned Artist John Dahlsen
at North Stonington Elementary School Art Show
One of the biggest and most well-attended functions in North Stonington, the North Stonington Elementary School Art Show, featured four or five works by each of the 400 students in grades K-5. This year’s theme was “Art Today.” Suzanne Starr, North Stonington art teacher, took it upon herself to convince the North Stonington Education Foundation to invite John Dahlsen to lecture the children during their annual art show. John worked with the kids, but also brought several of his works to auction off at a show that was held at the Mystic Aquarium on March 17, 2008.
April 16, 2008
Putnam Bank Foundation Pledges $5,000 to United Services, Inc.
(l-r) Robert J. Halloran, President and CFO, Putnam Bank and Diane L. Manning, President and CEO, United Services, Inc., accepted a $1,000 check, the first of five annual installments, from Thomas A. Borner, Chairman and CEO, Putnam Bank, and President of the Putnam Bank Foundation. The Bank pledged a total of $5,000 for United Services Inc.’s expansion.
Foxwoods Poker Classic Charity Media Showdown
(l-r) Brandon Butcher, Chief Meteorologist, CBS 3 Springfield, Foxwoods dealer, Joe Pardavila, executive producer, WPLJ Scott and Todd in the Morning, Brad Drazen, co-anchor, NBC 30 News Today, Scot Haney, meteorologist, WFSB 3, Jim Altman, reporter, Fox 61, Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, Chris Dillon, host & program director, WNLC Sound Morning Drive, and Terry Eliasen, CBS 4 Boston, played for charity in Foxwoods Poker Classic Charity Media Showdown on March 31.
Majestic Mystic
The World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance at the 5th Annual Mystic St Patrick’s Parade on March 30th.
April 30, 2008
Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber Citizen of the Year
The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber announced that it will honor Michael Rauh as the 2008 Citizen of the Year.Michael is Executive Vice President of Sales, Service and Delivery at the Washington Trust Company.
Anna Coit Celebrates 100
On Wednesday, April 9th, one day after her 100th birthday, Anna North Coit spoke at a luncheon given in her honor by her many friends at the Westerly Public Library.
Habitat for Humanity Builds Hope
(l-r) On April 13, Sally Bondy, future homeowner of 6 Davis Farm Way, and her children, Jacob, Megan, and Julia, break ground at the site in New London, with their building team leaders Bob Fusari Sr. and Bob Fusari Jr., Real Estate Services of CT, Mayor Kevin J. Cavanagh, City of New London, Norton C. Wheeler III, Mystic River Building Company, with Kaitlin and her dad Doug Bryan, future homeowner of 12 Davis Farm Way, Martin Berliner, Manager, City of New London, Margaret C. Holmberg, President Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity of SECT, and Calvin Price, Vice President of Community Development and CRA Officer, Liberty Bank.
