Executive Chef Jasper White and Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, tip their cups to more success at the newly opened Summer Shack Express, during the Re-Opening of the Winter Entrance at Mohegan Sun.

Finally, summer heats up and so does the “good news” around the region!  First, let’s remember a fallen Marine….His family and friends called him “Ahn” and his Marine friends called him “Chuckles” because of his sense of humor and his laughter.  Ahn was killed in action in Iraq at the age of 22.  An annual motorcycle run scholarship fund was established in Ahn’s honor to raise money for a Waterford High School student.  See how you can help here.

Reading the article, Remember Hard Work? by Jon Gordon is a MUST.  We’re reminded that good old-fashioned hard work can keep us on the road to success, even during tough economic times.  Hollywood actor Will Smith is known for his drive.  “I will not be outworked,” he says.  Find out how to revive your work ethic here.

Hard work and drive is what it takes for a young man to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and that’s what Christopher Vaillancourt of Montville Troop 67 has.  Meet Eagle Scout Christopher here.

Congratulations to the Mohegan Tribe and their management team, for the Re-opening of the Winter Entrance.  What beautiful workmanship and the new restaurants are fabulous!  Get a glimpse here.

Here, you will meet national make-up director for Elizabeth Arden Spas, and celebrity make-up artist Lindsay Ebbin.  I was fortunate to be invited to the Red Door at the Mystic Marriott, for a make-over by Lindsay.  WOW!  And, it gets better…hair by Lisa Shadle and nails by Patti Stiff.

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.

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by Alexis Ann
photos by Jessica Warzeniak

Visit the Resident on Flickr for more pics!

So, the weather outside is frightful… but the coal-fired brick ovens at Pepe’s Pizza are so d-e-l-i-g-h-t-f-u-l.  Since the sun’s always shining at Mohegan Sun.…It’s always the place to go!  So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

What?  Snow in July?  Well, not quite! But, Santa did pay a visit on July 1st, for the re-opening celebration of the Winter Entrance complete with three major new dining outlets: Bobby’s Burger Palace (BBP) by Bobby Flay, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Fidelia’s Market featuring Jasper White’s Summer Shack Express and The Original SoupMan featuring the world famous soups of New York’s Al Yeganeh which inspired the Seinfeld episode, among others.

Before the well-attended ceremony began, Mitchell Etess, President and CEO, Mohegan Sun, announced the passing of “A beloved member of our executive team, Rocco Santoro, VP of Table Games.”  Mitchell asked for a moment of silence in honor of Rocco Santoro, who was killed in an auto accident in Florida the previous weekend.  He sent his condolences to the Family of Rocco Santoro.

“We are thrilled to be re-opening the Winter Entrance and know that many of our guests are just as excited,” said Mitchell. “Now, not only will there be more convenient parking for guests, but inside the newly-modeled entrance, guests will have their choice of a variety of new restaurants from names like Bobby Flay, Pepe’s Pizza, Jasper White and The Original SoupMan. We are extremely thrilled to welcome them into the Mohegan Sun Family, and I have to say, who could ask for a better lineup?”

Next, Mitchell introduced Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe.  “Welcome back to The Winter,” announced the Chairman.  “Last year we opened the third wonder of the Sun…Casino of the Wind and today, I’m happy to welcome everyone here with us to celebrate something that’s a part of our past and something that will guide us into a brighter future.”

Chairman Bruce introduced the Tribal Council and Tribal Elders.  “As many of you know the Winter Entrance was one of our first doorways that many people walked through to get into Mohegan Sun Casino back in 1996 when we first opened.  It was also the local entrance favored by the community.”  Two Dogs thanked the folks for their support throughout the years and members of the Tribe for their patience during the construction period.

Design of the overall space, as well as BBP, was done by the Rockwell Group. Inspiration for the revamped food court was based on a famous Tribal legend about Granny Squannit, a spirit who believed in the healing powers of herbs. Warm oranges and reds were used in the space, while a giant skylight capped with glass and metal-crafted chandeliers help to create an airy atmosphere.

Just a few steps away from Fidelia’s Market is BBP by Bobby Flay. “This is my first restaurant in the New England market and I have to say, I don’t think I could have picked a better location,” said Bobby Flay. “The opening of BBP is just step-one in this relationship. I can’t wait to be back here to open Bar Americain this fall.”

Bobby’s Burger Palace

Located adjacent to the new Fidelia’s Market, Bobby’s Burger Palace (BBP) presents an array of burgers inspired by Bobby Flay’s extensive travels throughout America and his love of the grill in a convenient and casual setting. The 4,100 square-foot restaurant, which seats 83, pays tribute to America’s regional flavors and traditions.

Guests can enjoy delicious burgers such as the Dallas Burger (Spice Crusted, Coleslaw, Monterey Jack, BBQ Sauce and Pickles) and the Miami Burger (Pressed with Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles, Mustard and Mayonnaise) along with a side of fries served with BBP Fry Sauce. Salads, Milkshakes & Malteds  along with a variety of other beverages, are all on the menu too.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

One of the oldest and most respected pizzerias in the United States opened up shop at Mohegan Sun. The 3,800 square-foot dine-in and take-out eatery, with seating for 110, will take up the full eastern portion of Fidelia’s Market.
Pepe’s Pizza is known for originating the New Haven-style thin-crust pizza which is baked in coal-fired brick ovens. The renowned pizzeria is also particularly known for its innovation of the white pizza topped with freshly- shucked clams.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the best names in the industry,” said Francis Rosselli, one of Frank Pepe’s grandchildren. “My grandfather would be extremely proud of this historic moment.”

Jasper White’s Summer Shack Express

Eight years after opening his first restaurant at Mohegan Sun, Jasper White is doing it again! Summer Shack Express is a quick-service eatery offering the same level of excellent seafood and New England recipes available in Summer Shack, but converted in to a quick-service environment.

Guests can enjoy favorites like chowder, fish and chips, as well as, freshly-shucked oysters, cherrystones and little necks at the Express’ four-seat Oyster Bar. Lobster rolls, fried oysters, clam cakes and steamed lobsters are also staples on the menu. Summer Shack Express also offers live lobsters packed to travel for guests on-the-go who’d like to cook their lobsters at home

Woodland Wok & Chief’s Bagels, Subs & Sweets

Woodland Wok is back and the quick-bites eatery will serve a variety of Asian-inspired dishes. Another favorite, Chief’s Bagels, Subs & Sweets moved locations and expanded their menu. The 24/7 quick-service restaurant, serves a variety of hot and cold sandwiches.

COMING SOON: The Original SoupMan

Al Yeganeh, whose persona and soup abruptly went international with the 1995 airing of the famous “soup” episode on Seinfeld which featured a character based on Yeganeh, will open a new restaurant at Mohegan Sun this August. The quick-service restaurant will feature 50 varieties of Yeganeh’s Zagat-rated soups plus an assortment of fresh salads, hot NY deli sandwiches, paninis and smoothies.

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The annual Motorcycle Scholarship Run, in memory of Ahn Pachem, will take place August 2, starting at the Cohanzie Firehouse, Waterford.

by Maren Schober

His friends and family called him “Ahn.”  His fellow Marine friends called him “Chuckles” because of his sense of humor and his laughter.  Ahn died in Iraq March 23, 2003 in an ambush outside of Nasiriyah. He was 22 years old.

Paul and Anutarapon Patchem, Ahn’s parents, chose Arlington National Cemetery for the burial to honor him as a hero.  Ahn is the 16th casualty of the Iraq war to be buried in Arlington.

“I will see you one day,” Ahn’s mother, known as Tan, spoke in her soft voice.  “I love you.”

More than 700 people attended the memorial service at Waterford High School to bid farewell to a hometown hero.  It was a dignified and moving ceremony.

“I am very proud to have him as a son,” Paul Patchem said.  “Ahn is an angel. That is a fact for me.”

“Our family came to this country from Thailand when Ahn was nine years old,” Tan tells me.  “There was me, Paul, Ahn, and his older brother Kemapasse Chanawongse.”

“Ahn’s grandfather, a former commander in the Thai Air Force, inspired Ahn to enlist in the Marines after Ahn graduated from Waterford High School in 1999,” Tan explains. “Ahn was assigned to a Regiment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.”

“Ahn has many friends in Waterford,” Tan continues.

“He liked to drum, draw, go hiking and play soccer with his friends. I have a special memory of him.  One night when Ahn was a teenager, he jumped into his friend Lindsay’s  backyard swimming pool with two friends.  It was about 10:00 p.m.  Lindsay’s mother was very angry.  Of course I told Ahn that it was very wrong to do that.  Ten years later I found out from Lindsay’s mother that the very next day Ahn returned and apologized.  He was the only one of the boys to do that.  I am very happy to know that even after ten years!”

Tan remembers how much Ahn loved her. “When he was in the Marines he always made sure he got “leave” to visit me on my birthday!  The last time we saw Ahn was in January of 2003 when we went to see him off to Iraq at Camp LeJeune. I didn’t realize it would be the last time we would see him.”

“Tan and I started a Scholarship Fund inspired by Linda Mariani and with the assistance of Paul Eccard, Don Macrino and the Community Foundation of SECT,” Paul explains.

Diane Batte-Holmgren remembers Ahn with love. “When we heard the news about his death, we were devastated,” she acknowledges.

“We started the annual memorial motorcycle run scholarship fundraising event to honor Ahn.  Nowhere Cafe, New London, in conjunction with the Freedom Riders USA, sponsors an annual Scholarship Motorcycle Run to raise funds for a Waterford High School student.  This year’s event takes place Sunday, August 2, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Cohanzie Firehouse, Waterford.”

For more information about the Memorial Motorcycle Run contact Diane at 860.439.0800.

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Eagle Scout Christopher Vaillancourt

photo by Jackie Vaillancourt

The Boy Scouts of America awarded its highest rank, Eagle Scout, to Christopher Vaillancourt of Montville Troop 67.  He was honored in a Court of Honor ceremony held at the Oakdale Fire House on June 7th.  Montville Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz, State Representative Kevin Ryan, and Larry Wolfgang, member, Mohegan District Advancement Committee attended the ceremony.

Christopher is the son of Marc and Jackie Vaillancourt, Uncasville.  He joined Troop 67 in 2004.  To earn Scouting’s highest award, Chris earned 22 merit badges, served as a leader in his troop and completed a major community service project.  His Eagle project was building a trailhead map for Camp Oakdale.  This involved remarking the trails and planning, organizing, and supervising the construction of a map that defines all the trails and makes it possible for anyone to successfully navigate their way and know exactly where they are going and how long of a distance they will cover.

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photo by MCS1 Steven Myers

Capt. Peter Clarke (left) relieved Capt. Emil Casciano (right) as Commander, Submarine Squadron Two, during a ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base New London’s Shepherd of the Sea Chapel July 10. Rear Admiral Paul Bushong, Commander, Submarine Group Two, (center) served as guest speaker at the ceremony.

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