The good news in our region sparkles with fun, economic development, partners in caring, and an Irish Parade that was, to quote a friend of mine, “Out-of-the-box!”
First, let’s put our hands together for Jimmy Doukas, new owner of the sparkling Equinox Diner on Route 27, Mystic. Jimmy did a fabulous job in developing his 260-seat diner, reflecting his motto, “We put the dining back in dining!” Get the inside scoop on Mystic’s newest eatery on page 7.
Another economic development is the brand-spanking new Stop&Shop, which opened on Route 2 in Stonington. Opening with enthusiasm and community spirit, the new store presented a check for $1,000 to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. People’s Bank caught the spirit, too with their $1,000 gift to the PNC. Catch the spirit on page 10.
How about this one? ShopRite of New London associates, JoAnn Primett, Ledyard, and Nicki Jennings, Uncasville, are honored by getting their photos on the 125,000 limited-edition Cheerios boxes. Meet these women who spearheaded their store’s fundraising efforts with a chain-wide contest sponsored by ShopRite and General Mills on page 6.
The 6th Annual Mystic Irish Parade was spectacular and my view from the Drawbridge House was awesome for shooting photos. Bridgetenders Rod Colman and Bruce Sullivan gave me the best seat in the House to capture the parade…just for you to enjoy on pages 9 and 23.
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.
My new assignment from Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, is to find and highlight someone who is actively volunteering their time in our community to help others in need. The human needs in our communities are something we can and should not ignore. In my research it is gratifying to identify the needs and meet the volunteers who are giving much needed service.
Henry Rianhard, Bozrah, is one such volunteers. Working as a volunteer for United Way in many different capacities since 1992, Henry exemplifies the giving spirit.
In 1992 Henry’s boss and friend at Electric Boat, Gerry Silverman, recommended that the United Way recruit Henry to serve on an Allocations Panel. Henry said yes and he’s been actively involved with the United Way ever since.
“From the very beginning of my United Way experience, I was deeply moved by the overwhelming need for volunteer services that exists in our community,” Henry shares with me.
“I learned about homeless people living in the woods, not something that was widely discussed in the early 90’s, heard stories of domestic violence, substance abuse, hunger, lack of health care and many other issues which were not something I normally thought about. At that point I was hooked. What could I do to help?”
“My work with United Way is primarily in the area of funding allocations and the process used to make sure that donor dollars go only to those programs that meet a critical need, provide cost effective service and produce consistently good results.”
“At the United Way I am currently serving my second term on the Board of Directors and am involved with a number of committees,” Henry continues.
“I am a member of the Executive Committee of the Board, the Information Technology Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee. I am serving my third term as chairman of the Allocations Cabinet, the group of volunteers that is responsible for the overseeing the process that distributes funds to partner agencies.”
“I would like to thank the United Way staff, all my fellow volunteers, our partner agencies and all who donate to the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut for providing me with the opportunity to take part in the important and rewarding task of improving our community.”
The heart of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut mission, to change our community by helping people in need through the responsible use of donations, is the work provided by 30 social services agencies. These respected organizations include 76 programs all working to help those in need.
Hundreds of volunteers donate their time each year to United Way. which keeps the administration and fundraising costs low. Volunteers are needed to help with fund raising Summer-Fall or to help with funds distribution Winter-Spring. There are so many other ways to help United Way. If you are thinking of volunteering your time to United Way, simply go to the UWSECT website: www.uwsect.org where you can browse volunteer descriptions. It is easy to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests. You may also call United Way directly at 860.464.7281.
Artist Carmel McEvoy Bourneuf, Mystic, grew up on the very beautiful green hills of Laois, Ireland, that are expressed in her paintings. In 1961, Carmel was the first and only member of her family to leave Ireland. During her journey she met her husband Gus Bourneuf, former marine surveyor for the Bureau of Shipping. The two lived very nomadically and traveled around the world many times.
“The further I was away from Ireland, the more Irish I became. I always found time to paint Irish landscapes of bygone days rendered in oil mostly done with a palette knife, though I must admit there’s so many lovely scenes to paint in Mystic,” said Carmel. Irish music also holds a special place in Carmel’s heart. Often times you can see her perform locally.
Carmel recently exhibited her artwork, and brought a touch of Ireland to downtown Mystic’s Bartleby’s Café. She displayed many of her critically acclaimed Irish landscapes. “The reason why many of my paintings have old castles or cottages in them is because they represent the past accomplishments of a hard working people. For example, the painting of St. Kevin’s Kitchen represents how something so simple can last forever,” said Carmel.
Many attended the event including published poet, and retired college professor Dr. Jean-Yves Solinga. “I love the concept of having an art exhibit in a Café, it makes a different audience more aware of the arts. And it truly shows how different cultures shape our society. Carmel is an amazing artist and a lot of her spirit shines from her paintings,” said Jean-Yves.
Plenty of people get their picture in the paper after doing some outstanding service for fellow members of their community. Very few get their picture on a box of Cheerios. But that was one of the rewards enjoyed by ShopRite of New London employees JoAnn Primett, florist, Ledyard, and Nicki Jennings, Assistant Store Director, Uncasville.
The two women were among the ShopRite associates honored on 125,000 limited-edition Cheerios boxes for their store’s commitment to fighting hunger in their local community through the ShopRite Partners In Caring program.
Nicki, an associate at ShopRite for the past eight years, said she and JoAnn spearheaded their store’s fundraising efforts in conjunction with a chain-wide contest sponsored by ShopRite and General Mills in support of National Hunger Action Month in September. ShopRite associates raised more than $290,000 during a two-week contest by offering $1 donation cards to customers at checkout, constructing displays to bring awareness to the issue of hunger, and holding in-store events to support the cause.
“Everybody that works here, especially the young people, got behind us. They were all very enthusiastic, especially when they were out there selling hot dogs,” Nicki said, referring to the various fund-raising events sponsored by the store and implemented by the ShopRite employees.
The New London store and 29 other ShopRite locations on the eastern seaboard had one or two associates pictured on this specially prepared package of Cheerios, available exclusively at ShopRite stores. The box was unveiled in a special ceremony at the ShopRite of New London on Thursday, March 26th.
Ten local heroes are also featured alongside the 61 ShopRite associates on the box. ShopRite and General Mills teamed up for the “10 Years – 10 Heroes” contest, a search for ten local heroes – five children and five adults - who actively engage in the fight against hunger. Among the winners is Mystic’s own, Bill Pere, founder of Local United Network to Combat Hunger (LUNCH), a non-profit organization that blends Arts, Education, and Community Outreach to address issues of hunger and poverty through awareness and financial support
Community commitment is an integral part of the way the Capano Family operates their two wholly owned ShopRite stores in New London and Norwich.
For instance, each week members of the produce department at ShopRite in New London cull out about 75 pounds of fruits and vegetables that are too ripe to sell and donate the still edible food to the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (MAIE).
This partnership not only gives the fish a more diverse diet but it saves MAIE about $15,000 a year in food costs and cuts down on the area’s waste stream.
“We were happy to help,” said Ken Capano, Jr., vice president of the New London and Norwich ShopRite stores. “Supporting local organizations and businesses – especially those like the Aquarium, who give so much back to the community – is always a priority for ShopRite.” ShopRite also regularly donates food to local shelters and food pantries.
The good news in our region sparkles with fun, economic development, partners in caring, and an Irish Parade that was, to quote a friend of mine, “Out-of-the-box!”
