Members of the Eastern CT Council of the Navy League honored Electronics Technician First Class (Submarines) Erik Whitaker and Sonar Technician First Class (Submarines) Geoffery Walker at a dinner ceremony at the Mystic Hilton on March 19. Erik was selected as the 2008 Shore Service Person of the Year and Geoffery was chosen as Sea Service Person of the Year.

Wayne Olsen, president of the council, presented the honorees with Navy League clocks.  He said, “Service Person of the Month is a great program.  The greatest thing that we can do is recognize these sailors for what they do.  They work a full time job that takes a great deal of sacrifice and they still take time to make contributions to the local communities.  We are truly pleased to recognize them.”

In addition to Geoffery’s service onboard the USS Springfield (SSN 761), he devoted over 20 hours organizing participation in the “Caps to Kids” outreach program at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.  The news was given to him on the pier when he arrived home after a six month deployment.

Erik is actively involved in the community by providing countless volunteer service hours to the Ledyard Fire Department.  A member since 2006, his contribution and unselfish commitment yielded him honors as the Engineer of the Year for 2007/2008 and Fire Fighter of the Year for 2008.  He is on the top responders list for two consecutive years.  “I was surprised to be named Service Person of the Year.  I am extremely honored to be recognized by people who do great things in the community and having these same people taking time out of their busy schedules to be here with us tonight is overwhelming.”

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story & photo
by Amy Pjura

It was a pleasure to attend the children’s rehearsal for the 41st Mystic Area Choir Festival on Saturday, March 21. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining bright and the sound of children singing filled the air. The rehearsal was split into groups depending on grade, so I was blessed to hear grades two thru five. Those kids are fantastic!

The festival took place on Sunday, March 22 at the Noank Baptist Church and featured children, youth and adults from local church choirs, as well as instrumentalists.

In 1968, The Mystic Children’s Choir Festival was the first festival of many more to come. Local people directed the first few festivals, and in 1971 they started inviting distinguished choral directors and composers from outside of the area to lead the festival.

Dr. Michael Bedford, an organist/choirmaster and composer-in-residence, came all the way from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma to direct this year’s festival. As well as his many commitments at St. John’s Episcopal Church, he is also the founder and CEO of Crescendo Press where he publishes his own sacred music. Specifically, he has published choral music for children’s, youth and adult choirs, and his enthusiasm and connection with the children during the rehearsal could clearly be seen.  He was very energetic which helped the children feel the music that they were singing. Michael continuously praised the children for their job well done and expressed that they have a “wonderful sound.”

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story & photo
by Amy Pjura

The small, quaint Stop&Shop that was once on Route 1, Pawcatuck is now a large, beautiful, updated store located minutes down the street off Route 2 in Stonington. As you walk into the building, you are immediately greeted with bright lights and colors. I am simply amazed how beautiful the new store is!

On March 26th, employees, managers, executives, bankers, and families joined for the grand opening of the brand new, state of the art Stop&Shop. Everything in the store was in it’s place, getting ready to be sold the next morning when the check out lines officially opened at 6 am. It was like walking through a museum, everything looked too perfect. With new gadgets located around the store, you can see that Stop&Shop is promoting ways to shop smarter and greener, with reusable bags, self-scans and checkouts.

As the music died down, everyone gathered around the café to listen to Jim McCaughy, Store Manager, greet everyone and give the opening remarks. He introduced all of the department managers and announced that the proceeds from the in-store raffle plus $1,000 from Stop&Shop are being donated to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.

Vicki Anderson, Executive Director, PNC accepted the kind donation from Stop&Shop, with another $1,000 donated from the People’s Bank branch inside of the store. Rich Balestracci, Financial Services Manager, People’s Bank, presented the check.

Readco developed the fabulous new location for Stop&Shop and the adjacent cinemas. As Micheal Lech, CEO, Readco, said, quoting Mr. Rogers, it truly was a “beautiful day in the neighborhood.”

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