The Arc of New London County held a their 2nd Annual Pirate Bash at the Mystic Art Center on Saturday, April 25th. All proceeds raised from the successful event will support Camp Harkness, Recreation and Respite programs for people with disabilities. The fundraiser had a pirate theme and pirates throughout the area arrived to bid on such treasure as golf gift certificates, Defenders skybox tickets, “Misty Morning Rhapsody” print donated by Green Leaf Studios, “Sunset” handmade quilt by Ruth A. Davis, two Oriental rugs donated by Dan Fuller, Geena Davis’ autographed baseball, and many more items. Individuals dressed as buccaneers danced and drank the night away for a good cause.
Throughout the night there were musical performances by The Ancient Mariners Fife and Drum Corps, Denise and Tony Walstra, and a live auction with auctioneer Mike Buscetto. The event was sponsored by Mohegan Sun, Chelsea Groton Bank, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, L&M Hospital, The Resident, The Arc of Greater New Haven, CT Coastal Dentistry, J.Solomon Office Supply, Linda Kidder Associates, Mattern Construction, Rugh Protection Agency, Sacred Hart Parish Groton, Sportees LLC, Tom & Candy Sullivan, Blum Shapiro, Dime Bank, Oriental Rugs and The Savings Institute.
On Monday, April 27th, Rico Petrocelli, all-star short stop, and Jim Lonborg, Cy Young Award-wining pitcher, from the 1967 Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream, presented and signed autographs at the Groton Inn and Suites. The event was the final installment of CT Dugout Club series, which will begin again in October.
Prior to the event Roger Lafrancois, co-founder, CT Dugout Club and professional baseball coach, presented a moving speech in memory of Rookie of the Year Award-winning pitcher Mark “Big Bird” Fidrych. Mark was originally scheduled to be one of the guest presenters during the CT Dugout series, but he was recently killed in an automobile accident. “Mark was a good friend and a great ball player. I had the privilege to catch him in one of his last minor league games, and it is a tremendous loss for everyone. He was such an amazing person,” said Roger.
During the event diehard Red Sox fans were able to interact with each of the baseball legends. The event was full of fans, ball players, and officials of all ages and backgrounds. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful beginning.
Ten-year-old Matthew Rooke Fanelli, Lyme, recently pitched in his first little league game for the Reds. “Mr. Petrocelli told me to really have fun and to keep trying. It was really cool meeting him,” he said.
Mike Ide, umpire, Killingly, rushed from a high school game to make it on time. He added, “Being a part of the Eastern Board of Umpires, I have gained much knowledge from speaking to a lot of these pro ball players especially Bill ‘The Spaceman’ Lee.”
At the end of the night Rico said, “In sports and in life, give it all you have so when your are done you can look back on your accomplishments.” He also added, in regards to the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, “When both teams are great, it is the best medicine for baseball because that’s when you see two talented teams play the best baseball there is.”
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
On May 5, family, friends and colleagues gathered at MGM Grand at Foxwoods to celebrate by honoring Angela V. Arnold as the 59th Annual Citizen of the Year. Master of ceremonies, Warren Scholl, President and CEO, CorePlus Federal Credit Union, conducted the evening’s presentations and speakers in an energetic way, by adding humor and fun. Some of Angela’s closest friends spoke in her honor and agreed that this award could not be presented to a better deserving individual than Angela.
Angela is well known around the community as a person who does not say “no” to anything. She served on boards of directors, and volunteered in many ways, for the past 32 years. She remains to be an active part of the community, and is adamant to serve for many more. To hear of all the accomplishments – being on all the boards of director, being the first woman president of the Montville Rotary Club in ‘96 – makes me want to do more in my community.
By being a part of a younger generation, I can say that she is very inspirational and someone to look up to. It was a honor to be able to attend the award dinner, and to hear all the wonderful things her friends and family had to say about her.
One speaker, Dr. Sarah Arnold, Angela’s daughter, was exceptionally moving. Her speech brought a tear to my eye. Sarah expressed her gratitude towards her mom and all of the things that she taught her. The lessons she learned from her mom make her the person she is today. If Angela did not stay by her side during the many times spent in the hospital or tell her she could go through the dark crawlspace to the breaker box to fix the fuse in her first house, Sarah would not be the strong, independent woman she is today. And all of that, is thanks to her mom. Listening to her speech, how could you not think about your own mother, and all the things she taught that you might brush off while growing up. I don’t think Angela could ask for a better Mother’s Day gift than her daughter honoring her.
Angela certainly knows that volunteering will get you far in life. When it was her time to speak, she started by saying, “It doesn’t get any better than this!” It certainly does not when you are spending an evening with your closest friends and family celebrating all the time and effort in volunteering with the community, and all the good that comes with it. In response to Angela’s achievements, Keith Fontaine, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Backus Hospital, said, “Angela is living proof you can do well by doing good.”
The stigma associated with mental illness may be starting to fade as people see members of the armed forces returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with serious mental problems. It is also fading as medical research improves the ability to identify the biological causes for mental illnesses, and as remarkably effective treatments for mental illnesses become available.
The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 broadly outlaws health insurance discrimination against Americans with mental health and substance-use conditions. This recognition of mental illnesses as treatable biological diseases with profound importance to overall health will, hopefully, further reduce the lingering stigma associated with mental illnesses.
Among the providers of treatment for mental illness and substance abuse in our region is Natchaug Hospital, which expanded its programs in recent years in order to help more people. Its addition of evening treatment programs for adults and 2006 launch of an opioid addiction recovery program are helping people get the help they need while still keeping up with their work and family responsibilities.
Three nights a week at any of Natchaug Hospital’s four Intensive Outpatient treatment programs can provide that extra help a person may need to be able to avoid more intensive treatments, such as inpatient hospitalization. The individual counseling and group therapy enables others to sustain their recovery and find their way back to work and families.
For more information on Natchaug Hospital’s treatment programs contact any of their nine locations, or visit their website, www.natchaug.org.
The Arc of New London County held a their 2nd Annual Pirate Bash at the Mystic Art Center on Saturday, April 25th. All proceeds raised from the successful event will support Camp Harkness, Recreation and Respite programs for people with disabilities. The fundraiser had a pirate theme and pirates throughout the area arrived to bid on such treasure as golf gift certificates, Defenders skybox tickets, “Misty Morning Rhapsody” print donated by Green Leaf Studios, “Sunset” handmade quilt by Ruth A. Davis, two Oriental rugs donated by Dan Fuller, Geena Davis’ autographed baseball, and many more items. Individuals dressed as buccaneers danced and drank the night away for a good cause.
