(l-r) Mary Reed and Michelle Jacobik stand with awardee Robert Reed, Station Manager, Hall Communications, who was named 2008 Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT on May 5th.
Westerly Hospital Honors Volunteers
On May 2, The Westerly Hospital honored their volunteers with a luncheon at the Westerly Yacht Club. (l-r) Linda Schackner, Westerly, Mary Auger, Westerly, Joan Swain, Westerly, Andrea Carey, Pawcatuck, Joan O’Brien, Stonington, Renee Miller, Westerly, and Beverly McLaughlin, Misquamicut, are all dedicated volunteers at The Westerly Hospital.
Thames Yacht Club Celebrates 75 Years
(l-r) Phil Michalowski, Calvin Brouwer, Bob Geary, Walter Pratt, Dick Steinhilber, Judith Gibbs, Cliff Fisher, Jack Scaduto and Al Schober, former Commodores of the Thames Yacht Club, are honored at the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the club, on April 26th at the Port ‘N’ Starboard Restaurant, New London.
May 28, 2008
Happy Days (Are Here Again) at Goodspeed
The whole gang was back at Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam until June 29th in the musical Happy Days. Lannon Killea (Chachi) and Savannah Wise (Joanie) have a sock-hoppin’ good time with the cast.
MGM Grand: A Lion’s Share of Decadence
It is the lion’s share of decadence. It is luxuriant. It is “edgy.” It is fun. It is electrifying and friendly. It is the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, with dramatic opening parties held on May 16 and 17. The $700 million MGM Grand at Foxwoods, towers adjacent to Foxwoods Resort Casino, North America’s largest resort casino, opened to the public on Saturday at midnight.
Mohegan Sun Rises Highest
(l-r) Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman, Mohegan Tribe, Dan Aykryod, founder, House of Blues, and Mitchell Etess, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mohegan Sun, commence the groundbreaking for the Casino of the Wind with a bang on May 14.
(l-r) Angel Uihlein, 17, Westbrook, stands with her family – her brother Jason, her mother Ann and her sister Kim – at the Angel Ride finish, May 25th at the YMCA in Mystic. The Angel Ride originated as a fundraiser for Angel, who was diagnosed with Leukemia seven years ago.
Tour de France Winner Visits Fort Trumbull to Promote Bicycling
On Thursday, May 22nd, three time Tour de France winner, Greg LeMond, cycled around Fort Trumbull State Park, followed by a group of cyclists. Greg, who won the Tour in 1986, 1989 and 1990, was in New London with his old coach Bill Humphreys, Bike Guy LLC, and a large group of junior cyclists from the Mystic Velo Club to promote bicycling in the area and The Whaling City Cyclone Bicycle Race scheduled for June 22nd.
Home Builders Blitz 2008
Habitat for Humanity of SECT and the community came together as one during the week of May 31 through June 7. The 2008 Home Builders Blitz built homes at Davis Farm Way, New London, for two separate families in need – the Bondys and the Bryans. (l-r) One of many Habitat for Humanity volunteers helps to build a house at the Davis Farm Way site under the guidance of Norton C. Wheeler III, Mystic River Building Company. Norton is the team leader for the Bryan family home.
June 25, 2008
Outstanding Leadership Award Honors
Ulysses Hammond and CorePlus Federal Credit Union
(l-r) Warren P. Scholl, President & CEO, CorePlus Federal Credit Union and Ulysses Hammond, Vice President of Administration, Conn College, are proud recipients of the 13th Annual Outstanding Leadership Award reception at the Pequot Museum on July 12.
USS Providence Awarded Prestigious Arleigh Burke Trophy
Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presented the Atlantic Fleet Arleigh Burke Trophy to the Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) during a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London on June 12. (l-r) Lt. Cmdr. Todd Figanbaum, Executive Officer, USS Providence, Cmdr. Michael Holland, Commanding Officer, USS Providence, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Commander, US Fleet Forces Command, and MMCS (SS) Jeff Leith, Chief of the Boat, USS Providence.
Life Time Chief Ralph Sturges Inducted into CT Hall of Fame
(l-r) State Representative Michael Caron presents Paul Sturges, son of Chief Ralph Sturges, with the award to accept on his father’s behalf at the CT Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Hartford on June 18th.
Tantaquidgeon Museum Grand Re-Opening
On June 18th, the Mohegan Tribe held a ceremony and blessing to celebrate the re-opening and renovation of the Tantaquidgeon Museum – the oldest Native-run museum in the United States. The Museum provides a home for artifacts and objects of cultural significance for the Mohegans and other Native American tribes. Pipe Carrier Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman, Mohegan Tribe, stands at the entrance to the Tantaquidgeon Museum after performing a blessing ceremony.
Bridget Graff is Mohegan Sun’s Biggest Loser with a total weight loss of 45 pounds over the 12 weeks of the contest. “This is a way to change my life – no, a way to extend my life!” said Bridget.
Jeremy Powers Pro Bike Rider at Whaling City Cyclone Bike Race
Jeremy Powers, 24, of Hadley, MA was proud and happy to compete in the Whaling City Cyclone bicycle race June 22 at Fort Trumbull, New London. “I grew up in Niantic and biking is my passion,” Jeremy declares. “Today I want to give back to my community in a beneficial way.”
July 23, 2008
MASH 6th Annual Auction & Iron Chef Competition
On June 21st, from 6-11 pm, Enders Island was the backdrop for the 6th Annual Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality (MASH) Auction for Action and Iron Chef Competition. The benefit was to raise awareness and funds for local homeless families and children. The evening was blessed with beautiful weather and a successful turnout. About 250 people attended the event, raising an outstanding $40,000. (l-r) The winners of the cook-off were Jamie Fowler of Noah’s Restaurant in Stonington, and his Sous Chef, Kevin Rogers, a teacher in Ledyard and bartender at Bravo Bravo in Mystic.
30th Annual Groton Fourth of July Parade
Paying homage to local heroes was the theme of the 30th Annual Groton Fourth of July Parade. The parade started at Suttun Park and ended at Chelsea Groton Bank. Hosts of the event for the first time were Q-105′s radio talents Jackie Steele and Nancy Hall. The Resident team joined the parade in a classic ‘79 VW Convertible Bug. Maren Schober, writer, the Resident, shows her patriotic spirit.
A Final Salute to Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Elder Paul Harris
Tribal Elder Paul E. Harris, Sr., (May 4, 1946 – July 25, 2008) passed away due to an auto accident in Preston on the afternoon of July 25th. Son of Paul E. Johnson, Jr. and Marion M. Red Feather Curry, Paul was born, raised and educated in New London. Paul proudly served our country as a member of the U.S. Navy. A three gun military salute was performed in Paul’s honor at the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Burial Grounds after a funeral ceremony held at Dinoto Funeral Home in Mystic on July 31st.
NR-1 Returns From Final Deployment
The Navy’s research submarine NR-1 returned to the Naval Submarine Base New London, Wednesday, July 23, after its final scheduled deployment. NR-1 is scheduled for inactivation this fall after serving the Navy for 40 years. Commander John P. McGrath, officer in charge, NR-1, holds his two-year-old daughter, Meghan, while his wife Kimberly greets him.
Nautilus Celebrates Golden Anniversary
The Submarine Force Library and Museum celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine, conquering the Arctic, transiting from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and “piercing” the North Pole on August 3. After 96 hours and 1,830 miles after submerging under the ice in the Chukchi Sea, Nautilus surfaced off the coast of Greenland and sent the momentous and succinct message: “Nautilus 90 North.” Crew members Frank Holland and John Krawczyk commemorated the historic trip with a cancellation stamp (top r. corner) and envelope cachet stamp (left).
August 20, 2008
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center Celebrates Ten Years!
Rain was predicted, but luckily the Great Spirit blessed us with sunshine for the tenth anniversary of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center (MPMRC) on August 11. “It is a monumental day for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation,” said Kimberly Hatcher-White, Executive Director (left). “It would not be as special without the people who have supported the museum over the past ten years.”
Mystic Outdoor Art Festival
The 51st Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival Jury and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce this year’s winning artists. The 51st Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, August 9th and 10th, 2008 along the streets of downtown historic Mystic. Craftspeople and 285 international artists participated in this annual event showcasing over 100,000 pieces of artwork. (l-r) Tricia Cunningham, President, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, and Alexa Shelton, Events Director, prepared for the Art Festival for the whole year!
Pepe’s of New Haven Joins Mohegan Sun’s Project Horizon
(l-r) Mitchell Etess, president, Mohegan Sun, Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribe, Ken Barry, spokesperson for Pepe’s, and Francis Rosselli, grandson of Frank Pepe, celebrate the announcement of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana at Mohegan Sun during a press conference on July 31.
Westerly Yacht Club Celebrates 80 Years of Social & Boating Fun
On June 7th, the Westerly Yacht Club held a dinner to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the incorporation of the Club. (l-r) Past Commodore Robert Wydler, Joseph P. Reis, Victor J. Manzella, Commodore Alex Houston, Richard Lewis, Gene Frantz, Ted Steinetz, Donald I. Greene. Back: (l-r) Past Commodore Albert Antoch, Sal J. Parise, Stephen DePerry, Jr., Edmund L. Curran, Douglas J. Noble, Lawrence Harland, Ronald E. Lawrence, Galen Skip Hoffman.
The Italian submarine ITS Salvatore Todaro (S 526) arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London on Thursday, August 21, for a 14-day visit. ITS Todaro was commissioned on March 29, 2006, and is the first of four submarines in the U212A class. Todaro’s port visits, including Mayport, FL and Norfolk, VA, are historic for the Italian Navy – it is the first time since World War II that an Italian submarine crossed the Atlantic. (l-r) Commander Michael Brunner, USS Annapolis, hosts Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Mauro Panebianco, ITS S. Todaro.
Schemitzun 2008: Sunrise Blessing
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s annual Feast of Green Corn and Dance is a time to celebrate the riches of the land and to reap the rewards of a season of hard work. At sunrise, on the first day of this event, a blessing was held on the grounds of the Eastern Woodland Village exhibit. Children, parents and Tribal leaders adorned in Regalia gathered around campfires during the dark hours of the morning before sunrise on August 24th. (l-r) Anaya Porter, Keela Reyna, Mahailyah Carey, Siera Weum, Asia Carter, Miss Teen Mashantucket 2008, Nita Sims, Christina Valladores, Miss Mashantucket 2008, Kenny Merrick Jr, drum coordinator, Arti Crippen, Shanna Alexander, Myasia Gray, Keela Reyna, and Councilor Marjorie Colebut-Jackson, Schemitzun Chairwoman.
Bike Fundraiser
Five-year-old New London resident Chase McGrath held a bike fundraiser to raise money for the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and raised almost $500 for the cause. Chase was inspired by a commercial for what St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital’s does for less fortunate children. When asked who inspires him, Chase said, “I look up to my parents because they taught me right from wrong. I also look up to Superman, Spiderman, and Batman because they defend people who need help.”
September 17, 2008
Russ Kramer’s Maritime Paintings
Marine Artist Russ Kramer writes about his oil painting “Onboard Weetamoe 1930,” “Inspiration for this painting came from some grainy, vintage black & white film shot aboard the great Herreshoff J Boat. What a thrill to watch the crew work and feel like you were among them!”
Casino of the Wind Opening: A Full House
August 29th was a perfect day for a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the opening of Mohegan Sun’s “third wonder of the world,” stated by Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribe. Excitement filled the room outside of the entrance to the new 64,000 square-foot Casino of the Wind. (l-r) Tribal Councilor/Treasurer William Quidgeon Jr., Councilor Thayne Hutchins, Councilor Cheryl Todd, Councilor/Ambassador Mark Brown, Councilor/Recording Secretary Allison Johnson, Councilor/Corresponding Secretary Ralph Gessner Jr., Councilor/Vice Chairwoman Lynn Malerba.
