Now, and for the past seven years, Rosemarie Frissel celebrates each day of freedom of being cancer free. On the evening of April 17th, she was able to join in this celebration of life with a dozen other similar survivors at the 16-hour Relay for Life held on the ConnCollege campus.
“It was so moving to be able to walk in that first lap,” Rosemarie said, referring to the traditional opening of each and every Relay for Life. Survivors walk around the track, a track on which at least one person will be walking at all times throughout the entire event.
During a conversation held in front of a pup tent, one of many set up on the college’s Tempel Green, Rosemarie – who was first diagnosed in 2001 – said she was participating in a relay for the first time.
The Manchester resident would be spending the night in the tent along with several other women who came together in support of a cause embraced throughout the country.
The concept is simple enough: Teams form, the members go out and get pledges from friends, family and co-workers, they then set up a sort of “tent city” at a central location in town and take turns walking around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the overnight event.
The Franklin chapter of the American Cancer Society approached college officials about sponsoring a relay, an idea which eventually led to two young women volunteering to take on the monumental task of organizing the event on campus. Graduate student Jessica LeClair, Windsor Locks, and Kelly Hamilton, senior, New Hampshire pulled it off with great results.
Some 415 participants assembled on 34 teams and raised more than $53,000 during the days leading up to the 6 p.m. opening ceremony.
The individual who raised the most money for the event was Meredith Wasserman, freshman, Providence, who singlehandedly raised $1,600.
“I am walking in honor of my cousin Marc Dwares who lost his battle to cancer at a very young age,” Meredith said.
The Camel Crusaders, which consisted mostly of college staff members from the Information Services department, raised the most financial pledges of any team, $7,428 – more than double the second-place team. The individual on the Camel Crusaders who raised the most money was Amy Hannum, New London, with $1,074.
“Fighting cancer is a team effort. The impact we can make together is much greater than what any of us could do alone,” said team captain Ruth Seeley, Montville. “Events such as the Relay for Life empower all of us to fight back against a disease that takes too much.”
One of the most inspiring moments of the nightlong vigil came at 10 p.m. Friday when a loud and boisterous campus green suddenly fell into an eerily utter silence as the luminaria ceremony began. For 25 minutes, the names of all the loved ones being remembered during this relay were read aloud while all the participants solemnly circled the track.
“This whole evening has been great, but the luminaria ceremony, that was really powerful,” said Lauren Moran, senior, English/Anthropology major, Mansfield.
“I think an event like the Relay for Life is important because almost everybody knows someone who is affected by this disease,” said co-organizer Jessica. “This is a way people can come together not only to remember lost loved ones but to turn these negatives into positives,” she said.
Jessica reminds everyone that donations to the Relay will be accepted until May 2nd by visiting www.relayforlife.org/conncoll.
“Phantom of the Opera,” the most successful entertainment venture of the 20th-century, will be thrilling Connecticut audiences at Hartford’s Bushnell through May 10, 2009.
What an eye-popping 1st-act opening: A massive beaded chandelier flies up to the ceiling, and later crashes onto the stage; voluminous billowy draperies disappear into the roof to reveal an ornate replica of a Paris Opera proscenium arch.
The audience gasped in unison and was immediately drawn into this Cecil B. DeMille-style spectacle that has earned $5 billion worldwide and been seen by more than 80 million people in 124 cities in 25 countries.
In the second act the Phantom attacks his rival Raoul with a flame-thrower and then and sets the stage on fire while screaming his love Christine’s name! Such over-the-top melodrama, such angst, such yelling, such a show!
It’s exciting stage entertainment for all ages. Almost. The “Phantom of the Opera” libretto was written by Richard Stigoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It’s an overwrought Victorian melodrama that will be adored by soap-opera and romance-novel devotees.And for us, it’s easy to overlook the 19th-century sturm-und-drang because of the magnificent performances by the principle singers, fine supporting cast and dancers; superb musical supervision and direction; spectacular set design – especially the dazzling scenic effects; and the richly conceived period costumes These crafts masterfully succeed in serving the show’s era and Parisian setting.
The sound design could have been better; some of the dialogue and lyrics were, at times, difficult to understand.Nevertheless, this spectacular production is still worth every bit of the price of admission.
And what a spectacle it is! From the opening ballet ‘rehearsal’ set in front of a painted background of ancient Carthage/Egypt, the hugeness of this theatrical event draws you in. The Slave Master’s masculinity contrasts perfectly with the slave girl corps-de-ballet, and the colorfully costumed comic Hannibal and his queen are upstaged only by the effective prop elephant that dwarfs the performers.
While the entire cast is excellent, the three major roles, performed by outstanding singers, deserve many curtain calls and critical praise.John Cudia as The Phantom, Trista Moldovan as Christine, and Sean MacLaughlin as Raoul thrill the audience with their exceptional vocal and acting gifts. These are three performers who are destined to play all the theater’s star parts well into the future.
John Cudia holds the distinction of being the only performer to have starred on Broadway in both “Phantom” and “Les Misérables.”For Sean Laughlin, this production is his first starring role in a musical.His magnificent natural vocal gifts and well-honed acting talent combined to give the audience one of the best performances of the evening.
Of the three major songs, “The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” and the haunting “The Point of No Return,” the former two have become much loved by people around the world, and the later ranks among the greatest theater art songs of our time. They are reprieved throughout the show as songs as well as instrumental background music.
Although we have seen previous productions of this award-winning favorite, this incarnation is better in some aspects with this first-rate tour company, especially theater-legend Hal Prince’s direction.In one previous edition, the scene and lighting changes were so swift they killed the applause for every solo, duet and ensemble number.Not so in this 21st-first century production; there are appropriate pauses to let the audience applaud the end of a song or scene.
When will this record-breaking Broadway phenomenon end in New York, or on the road?This company is going to take a break in August and then its back on the road for a two-year run with options for, well, forever.
“The Phantom of the Opera” will play at The Bushnell through Sunday, May 10, 2009. Ticket prices range from $28 to $82.Student and senior prices at some performances. All tickets are currently on sale at the theater at 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, and online at www.bushnell.org or by calling 860.987.5900.
The region is sportin’ spring with good news of people doing good things in our community.
First on the agenda, how about those Women Huskies!? Congrats to the UConn Women’s Basketball Team for winning the NCAA Championship Title. Be a Husky faithful and read the story on page 17.
Tommy John, former Yankee southpaw pitcher was found sportin’ spring at the CT Dugout Club’s monthly meeting, Groton Inn & Suites, March 30th. What a homerun event! Check it out on page 7.
The Arc of New London County scored points with the opening of a newly renovated Employment Transition Center, Groton. The center will assist those with special needs. Meet the key individuals involved in the project, Kim Blair, Director of Employment, and Tom Sullivan, Executive Director, on page 4.
Last, and certainly not least, the CT Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America announced the recipient for the Community Service Award, Norwich Public Utilities. John Bilda, General Manager, will be receiving the award on behalf of NPU. Yours truly is honored to receive the Outstanding Leadership Award. More on page 5.
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.
News of budget cuts and financial difficulties are nothing new during times of economic downfall. But in the case of Martin House Inc., Norwich, help was around the corner. Marcel Bouley, owner, Engine 6 Pizza, Norwich, heard about Martin House’s trouble and stepped up to help.
Martin House is home to 57 people, some with a history of mental illness or addiction, all battling with homelessness. It started in 1982 as affordable housing and support services to help people considered on the margin of society become a part of the community. Martin House offers a caring environment
“We rebuild lives here,” said Tom Hyland, Executive Director.
To operate, the home receives grants from various organizations in the region, the largest being the United Way. Unfortunately, donations to the United Way are down which decreases funding for Martin House. The top two biggest expenses are staffing followed by food.
The staff decided to take a pay cut – no raises for hourly workers and 10% cut for salaried employees – to conitnue to proved services at a maximum level. The home is staffed 24 hours a day and already operates with essential personnel only.
“We need to reduce our budget,” said Tom. “It has to be be in food.”
Marcel heard about Martin House’s plight and offered to provide a Wednesday night meal. Engine 6 prepares a different pasta dinner for all 57 residents every week and Marcel delivers it to the home.
“It evolved. I was getting to know the staff and a lot of the residents here, since they are customers of mine. It’s proximity. We are so close to Martin House. We deliver here all the time,” said Marcel. “This is my way of giving back. To help people who need help. We have the ability and I thought it would be a good thing to do.”
“We already donate gift certificates for the Thames River Family Program (Martin House’s sister program) and do raffles. It fell naturally. Tom and I started talking about it and then it was happening.”
“Marcel is making all the difference in the world here,” said Tom. “It is saving us one major meal a week. It really helps our budget.”
“It also helped us think about things differently,” said Paula Oberg, Director of Service Operations. “How else can we be creative about our food budget? It provided the spark.”
When Marcel came this Wednesday to deliver the food, the residents were in the middle of a house meeting, but stopped to give him a round of applause. “Thank you!” shouted a resident. “You are very, very welcome. All of you!” called Marcel.
To make a tax-dedcutible donation, volunteer or learn more, contact: Martin House, 401 W. Thames St., Building 700, Norwich or call 860.889.6150. The Thames River Family Program and Martin House are holding a joint lunch auction on Sunday, May 3, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at the Mystic Marriott, Groton. It is the largest foundraiser for both organizations. For more information call Laura Hobart at 860.887.3288.
On April 7, The Arc of New London County and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT held a ribbon cutting for the Arc’s newly renovated Employment Transition Center. The center is located on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Parish, Groton.
The Arc’s program and Center assists individuals with learning everyday skills, with a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, computer lab, life skills rooms and resource library. The center is designed to improve and enhance employment skills for special needs high school students and adults who live in New London County. Currently there are 60 individuals involved with the new Center, including 14 students.
Kim Blair, Director of Employment, and Tom Sullivan, Executive Director, were the key individuals that were involved in the project of the Employment Transition Center that came to be after two years of planning.
Now, and for the past seven years, Rosemarie Frissel celebrates each day of freedom of being cancer free. On the evening of April 17th, she was able to join in this celebration of life with a dozen other similar survivors at the 16-hour Relay for Life held on the ConnCollege campus.
