Captain Allen Fee, the Resident’s fishing columnist says that, “Fluke Fishing is off to a good start!” But don’t get ‘fluked’ by the new fishing regulations here.
This year’s MASH Auction for Action and Iron Chef Competition was a smashing hit raising $40,000 for the Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality. Over 300 people attended this fun gala held on the spectacular grounds of Enders Island. Executive Chef Jamie Fowler of Noah’s Restaurant, Stonington Boro and Sous Chef Kevin Rogers were the winning team over Executive Chef Andrew Madsen, owner, Mystic Soup Company and Sous Chef, me. I learned how to make risotto from scratch! Find out the secret ingredient here.
Natchaug Hospital’s 55th Annual Reception saluted Dr. Raymond Johnson, outgoing board chair and welcomed Carol Wiggins, incoming chair here. To know Dr. Ray, is to love him…for his friendliness, kindness and genuine caring for people, not to mention his fine sense of humor!
The first event of Norwich’s Semiseptcentennial Celebrations featured a re-enactment of the June 6, 1659 deed signing for the transfer of land from the Mohegans to the founders of Norwich. The sale price for nine square miles of land was $350 or 70 pounds of silver. History here.
With honor and gratitude, I accepted the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Connecticut Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America here. A special thank you to all who made this event such a great success!
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The Connecticut Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s 14th Annual Outstanding Leadership Award Reception was held at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center on Tuesday, June 16.
Honorees this year are Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Leadership Award, and Norwich Public Utilities, recipient of the 2009 Community Service Award, represented by John Bilda, general manager.
Alexis Ann was honored with this award because she “represents a person who lives by the Scout Oath in her daily life.” This annual award publicly acknowledges the accomplishments of an outstanding community leader.
The reception this year was co-chaired by former Community Service Award winner Kenneth Capano Sr., owner, ShopRites of New London and Norwich, and Attorney Jeffrey R. Godley, Eagle Scout.
After welcoming the more than 250 attendees, Eagle Scout Keith Fontaine, vice president of Corporate Communications, William W. Backus Hospital, introduced Crews 4 Norwich and 20 Jewett City for the opening ceremony. The Pledge of Allegiance and Scout Oaths were led by Nicholas Backus, Troop 13 Colchester, and Richard A. Chatell, Pack 19 Baltic.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, Spiritual Leader and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Elder Laughing Woman Patrick gave the invocation and blessed the assembled community leaders, business professionals, family and friends of Scouts. Laughing Woman’s blessing was a combination of Native American traditions in a balance with her Christian beliefs.
Comments and presentations followed. Rosalina Iott, Sea Scout Boatswain, Ship 584 Groton, spoke of the way she experienced juggling scholarship, Sea Scout duties, preparation for her upcoming Chestnut Hill College entry and just being a teenager. Rosalina graduates this year from Fitch High School and is a member of the National Honor Society.
After a short greeting by Harry L. Pokorny, Scout Executive, Connecticut Rivers Council, James Sullivan, chairman, Norwich Public Utilities Board of Commissioners, presented the first of the evening’s two Eagle Awards (Community Service) to John Bilda, General Manager, NPU. John stressed that NPU “is community friendly because we are members of the community – we are your friends, neighbors and relatives.”
N. Jonathan Laflamme, an Eagle Scout of Troop 13 Colchester told how he once dropped out of scouting, only to be encouraged by his younger brother to reconsider and rejoin the Scouts. Jonathan graduates this month from Bacon Academy where he attained high honors all four years at the school and is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Highlighting the evening was the presentation and acceptance of the Outstanding Leadership Award. First, Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribal Council, stepped up to the podium, all smiles. He introduce honoree Alexis Ann by singing her praises.
And sing he did. “Two Dogs” sang a “#49,” a song combining Native American song-chants with “Hey Good Lookin’” which brought laughter and applause from the audience.
Alexis Ann, a native of Southeastern Connecticut and a graduate of Stonington High School, who earned degrees at Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Arts degree at The University of Montana, happily accepted the 2009 Outstanding Leadership Award, presented in the form of a Golden Eagle.
She commented about her early years as a Brownie before flying up to become a Girl Scout. She said that Tribal Elder Laura Porter reminded her that selling Girl Scout Cookies was good training for selling advertising in the Resident.
After asking the Resident team to stand, Alexis stressed the importance of teamwork and community involvement, especially in challenging times, saying, “Happy readers make happy advertisers, which makes a happy Resident team.”
Her “Good News” philosophy, coupled with her up-beat and positive attitude led to her being a successful businesswoman, while she takes time to volunteer her expertise and serves on boards and foundations throughout the area. Congratulations, Alexis!
Three hundred and fifty years later to the day, the Mohegan Tribe and descendents of the founders of Norwich met at the Royal Mohegan Burial Ground, corner of Washington and Sachem Streets, Norwich, to re-enact the June 6, 1659 deed signing. The deed gave the settlers nine square miles, now known as Norwich, for 70 pounds of silver or approximately $350. The re-enactment was the first public event for the City of Norwich’s 350th Anniversary Celebration.
The morning included a traditional Mohegan Tribal blessing by Medicine Woman and Tribal Historian Melissa Tantaquidgeon Gobel, pipe presentation by Chairman and Pipe Carrier Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum with the help of Chris “Painted Turtle” Harris and Patrick “Long Shadow” Mugford, and a flute presentation by Tribal Elder William “Dancing Shadow” Andrews with Brian “Snake Spirit” Quidgeon.
“The Mohegans continue its relationship with our neighbors,” said Bruce “Two Dogs.” “It is the tradition of the Mohegans to stay close with our neighbors and friends and celebrate our joint anniversary.”
Carleton “Occum” Eichelberg, descendent and re-enactor of Grand Sachem Uncas, was at the celebrations 50 years ago, that did not include a re-enactment, to celebrate the 300th anniversary. “It is a very great experience,” said Carleton. “Back then we were very small in numbers – there was no reservation. There were 12 of us from the Tribe that participated. We had a nice long parade and pageantry of the different ethnic groups.”
During the re-enactment Paige D’Allesandro, Amanda Sullivan, Jamie McArtle and Nicholas Smolenski from Norwich Free Academy, sang “Two Hundred Years Ago.” Paige also sang a solo called “The Anniversary Hymn.” More entertainment came from Tom Callinan, CT’s Official State Troubadour, who sang two original songs “Norwich Through the Centuries” and “Where Three Rivers Come Together” that he specifically wrote for the 350th anniversary.
The committee included organizers, Evelyn Bessette, Elaine Malchman, Kate Disch, Ron Ward, Melissa Tantaquidgeon Gobel, Sandi Penault, and Joe Smith. Volunteer coordinators were Gene Arters and the Women’s City Club of Norwich. Denison Gibbs narrated the event.
At noon, all of the church bells across Norwich tolled 350 times to mark the celebration.
On Wednesday, June 10th, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT hosted a very special reception welcoming new presidents at the Officer’s Club at the US Coast Guard Academy. Fellow executives from the community eagerly welcomed A.J. “Skip” Jordan, site vice president, Millstone Power Station, Michael Speller, president, Foxwoods Resort Casino, and Stephen White, president, Mystic Seaport. Each of the new presidents had the chance to speak and express their visions that they are bringing to the table. While they all have different visions, they share the same feeling towards the community and strengthening relationships.
With Millstone being a big part of the community already, Skip’s vision is “to be a good corporate citizen and neighbor.”
Michael helped with the opening of Foxwoods in 1992, and now, as the president, he wants “to continue enhancing our business relationships that have been forged through the activities of the Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce over the last seventeen years.”
Stephen was once a teacher and would like “to increase [the] connection with CT schools so that more children can experience the Seaport.” The Seaport is filled with history and learning opportunities that he feels the children are not experiencing.
Businesses partnerships and education will strengthen this community and bring everyone together. Welcome!
On Friday, June 12th, the Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality (MASH) hosted it’s annual Auction for Action and “Iron Chef” Competition at the beautiful Enders Island. The competition and auction raised awareness for homeless families and children in the towns of Groton, Stonington, North Stonington, Ledyard, New London and Westerly. The event had 300 attendees and raised about $40,000. Since 1999, MASH provided housing to 185 homeless children and 94 homeless families.
Executive Chefs Jamie Fowler, Noah’s Restaurant, Stonington, and Andrew Madsen, Mystic Soup Company, competed in the “Iron Chef” with Sous Chefs Kevin Rogers, a local elementary school teacher and a bartender from BravoBravo, and Alexis Ann, editor and publisher, the Resident, respectively. Jamie won the competition this year, being his third year in a row. The secret ingredient was duck breast. Jamie’s dishes were Asian Duck Noodle Soup, Duck Brochette over Apple and Spring Cabbage Slaw with Wild Berry Vinegarette and a Pan Roasted Duck with a Succotash salad. Judges for this year’s event were John Casey, president, Electric Boat, Larry St. Clair, and Georgette Quilter.
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Saltwater Farm Vineyard, General Dynamics/EB, Starbucks, The Artac Seel Company, Stonington, Noank Village Boat Yard, Dime Bank, Enders Island, and Liberty Rental, RI.
Captain Allen Fee, the Resident’s fishing columnist says that, “Fluke Fishing is off to a good start!” But don’t get ‘fluked’ by the new fishing regulations here.
