Elizabeth Martinelli, 79, Mystic, is a tireless volunteer, working on many community service projects.

story & photo
by Maren Schober

Elizabeth Martinelli, 79, Mystic, is a remarkable woman.  In addition to being a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Liz, as she is fondly called, is a tireless volunteer worker in the Mystic area in more ways than you can count.  She perfectly exemplifies the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.

On July 19th, Liz was honored by the Rotary Club of Stonington and presented the Nancy Z. Young/Paul Harris Fellow Award for Outstanding Community Service.

During the presentation, Sue Ferraro, Branch Manager, Liberty Bank, Mystic, states, “Mrs. Martinelli is a true hero in our community.  When you ask yourself what does service above self mean, just say Elizabeth Martinelli’s name and you will have your answer.  She is a hero to all who know her.  You could not have selected a more deserving person for this award.  She is an expert at giving people her heart when they need it most.”

Sitting with Liz in her comfortable home, I look at a long list of community service projects in which she dedicates her time and energy.  “In which of these service projects are you currently a volunteer?” I ask Liz.

“All of them,” she answers matter of factly without missing a beat.

“All of them?!”

“Yes, all of them.  I do them all.”

These are just some of the volunteer activities Liz does regularly. She is the poppy chairman for VFW Auxilliary and American Legion, she collects personal care items for hospitalized and overseas veterans, volunteers at Red Cross blood drives (more than 25 years!), collects eye glasses for the Mystic Lions Club, works at voting polls for every town and national election, is a member of the Democratic Town Committee, a member of Daughters of Isabella, active member of St. Patrick’s Church, Eucharistic Minister to the sick at Apple Rehab Center (Mary Elizabeth Nursing Home), and volunteers for Knights of Columbus, Mystic Art Festival and Taste of CT.

“For 16 years I ran the Mystic used medical equipment program with my husband,” Liz tells me. “ We would clean and repair all kinds of used medical equipment and store them in our garage.  We gave these walkers, commodes, etc, to anyone who needed them.”

“What got you started in community service projects?” I ask.

“I was inspired by my dad, Pete Connors.  He was the most unselfish and giving person I have ever known.  He’d do anything for anyone at any time of the day or night, always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.  I remember his two favorite quotes.  He’d say, ‘It’s more blessed to give than to receive,’ and ‘the least you do for my children, you do for me.’  I try to live my daily life by his words.”

“Community service enriches my life in more ways than one can imagine,” Liz continues.

“I suggest to anyone who has time to try community service.  You may like and enjoy it and it will definitely change your life.”

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(l-r, back row) Barbara Kleeman, Lorraine Laumeyer, Loretta Palembas, June Feeney, Laure Smarz, Judy Ellis, Trish Scarnati, (l-r, middle row) Diana Bortolin, Alice Watson, Anges Dallman, Diane Chamberland, Lyn Hammel, Janet Chapman, Phyllis Sutton, (l-r, front row) JoAn Balestracci, Dorothy Szestowicki, JoAnn Correia, Maria Silveira, Theresa Cleary, Kathy Graham and Rosanne Noel, celebrated the Mystic St. Mary Frances Circle of the Daughters of Isabella’s 60th Anniversary on June 7.

The St. Mary Frances Circle of the Daughters of Isabella in Mystic celebrated its 60th anniversary as a charitable, Catholic, women’s organization on June 7.

This Circle received its charter in December of 1948.  Since that time, the members of St. Mary Frances Circle volunteered countless hours of community and church service.  In addition, the members organized many fundraisers that benefited needy causes both locally and afar.

The Daughters held an annual Christmas bazaar for many years that was well known for their beautiful handmade crafts as well delicious baked goods.  When the Norwich Hospital was operational, the Daughters baked homemade cakes and delivered them to the residents so they could enjoy birthday celebrations.

Over the years, the Daughters have donated to Hospice, CareNet, Haiti, the Mystic Noank Library, Hurricane Katrina victims, the VFW and American Legion, and many, many other worthwhile individuals and groups.

The Daughters of Isabella is an international women’s organization based in New Haven. Their motto is “Unity, Friendship and Charity.” The St. Mary Frances Circle holds its monthly meetings at St. Patrick Church, Mystic, and invites new members from any of the surrounding parishes.

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photo by Caitlin Strunk

The 52nd Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, August 8th and 9th, along the streets of downtown historic Mystic. A total of 285 international artists and craftspeople participate in this annual event showcasing over 100,000 pieces of artwork. For more information of the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival contact the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, 860.572.9578, or www.mysticchamber.org.

Best In ShowFaye Anderson
Robert Brackman Award Lolly Stoddard
Beonne Beronda Award  James Piat
Marion Tetlow Award Heather Lusk
Milton Baline Award     Betty Lingane
Acrylics
1st Place      Del-Bourree Bach
2nd Place      Dwight Baird
3rd Place      Stephen Ray
Honorable Mention    Gigi Burboack

Graphics
1st Place     William Cantwell
2nd Place     Bryon Robinson
3rd Place     Martin Stein
Honorable Mention    Carol Dunn

Mixed Media
1st Place     Chien Nguyen
2nd Place     John Cheng
3rd Place     Pui-Lan Cockman
Honorable Mention    Robert DeVito

Oils
1st Place     Stephen Previte
2nd Place     Bao Ke
3rd Place     Dennis Stuart
Honorable Mention    William Hobbs

Pastels
1st Place     William Pettee
2nd Place     Joanne Agostinelli
3rd Place     Carol Boucher
Honorable Mention    Jennifer Gardner
Photography
1st Place     James Murphy
2nd Place     Bruce Lippincott
3rd Place    Charles Waldman
Honorable Mention    Ron Mellott
Sculpture
1st Place     Peter Bowe
2nd Place     Randy Fisher
3rd Place     Lila Turjanski-Villard

Watercolors
1st Place     Philip Chagnon
2nd Place     Ralph Acosta
3rd Place     Bryan Yung
Honorable Mention    Rosalind Oesterie
Crafts
1st Place     Matthew Hopkins
2nd Place     David Martin
3rd Place     Tim Cromarty
Honorable Mention    Gabriel Cole

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As veterans start the new academic year, the leader of The American Legion said he is happy to see that they will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new GI Bill.

“August 1st was a proud day for us,” said David K. Rehbein, national commander of the nation’s largest veterans service organization.  “The educational benefits in the Post -9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act took effect -benefits that The American Legion worked hard to bring about.”

The new GI Bill does not replace existing education programs for veterans, but augments them. Depending upon individual needs and eligibilities, benefits of the older Montgomery GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill/Selected Reserve, and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) are still available as well.

The American Legion explains veterans educational benefits in great detail at www.mygibill.org.

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