(l-r back) Patrick Welsh, Brenda Nixon, Ruth Welsh, James Welsh, Michaele Caro, Nolan Nixon, Jeff Nixon and Groton Mayor Dennis Popp gather for a photo with (l-r front) past recipient Earle A. Wlliams, 2004, and William “Bill” Welsh, 2009.
On August 7th at the 25th Annual Groton City Day, held at Washington Park, the Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award was given to a William “Bill” Welsh, Mystic. Bill goes above and beyond, volunteering his time for the community.
Six years ago, Jacqueline “Jackie” B. Nixon was nominated for a community service award for her efforts with a food pantry that she operated out at her residence for 24years. Before she could receive the award she passed away from cancer. To eternalize and honor her, Groton Utilities named the community service award after her. Earle A. Williams was the first to receive the award.
“I am very blessed that Jackie’s memory still lives on through this award. It has meant a great deal to see people volunteer their time in the community,” said Nolan Nixon, widow of Jackie.
Past recipients of the award include: Robert “Bob” Leeney, 2005; E. Marion “Mimi” Orkney, 2006; Lillian “Lil” Hansen, 2007; and Sarah Stanley, 2008 .
Bill volunteers his time at several organizations. He was on the board of directors for seven years and the president in 1999 for the Mystic Valley Chapter of AARP. He assists senior citizens with health insurance with the State of CT CHOICES Program.
And due to Bill’s tireless work with The Wounded Warrior Fund, clothes are provided for injured service men and women overseas.
Bill’s latest endeavor is becoming involved with the development of Groton Senior Center’s TRIAD Program, which educates senior citizens on safety.
In his acceptance speech, he thanked Carol Pratt, Mary Jo Riley, Groton Senior Center, his wife Ruth, and grandson Patrick Welsh, for his additional support with The Wounded Warrior Fund.
Bill is retired from the U. S. Navy. He served in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. His career spanned 26 years, mostly in submarines.
“The best advice ever given to me was learning the buddy system in the Navy. Always watch out for your neighbor and help them when they need it,” said Bill.
Summer sizzles with the Good News that Dime Bank will be opening in my hometown, Stonington Borough.
by Alexis Ann
What fun reading Captain Allen Fee’s “No Fluke After August 20th”….Allen has such a passion for fishing and it’s so obvious in his column here. It’s no wonder NY Yankee Pitcher David Robertson chose Allen for his Captain on a bass trip to Sugar Reef during his All-Star break!
The Resident’s other Captain — Don Greene takes you on a trip down the Pawcatuck River to Pawcatuck Point. Don says, “This is a great exercise for you to practice traveling through narrow channels.” Don’t forget to pay attention movement based on winds and tides. Important tips for your boating safety here.
The 20th Anniversary Hospice SECT Regattas at the Stonington Dingy Club, Thames Yacht Club, Niantic Bay Yacht Club and Mystic River Mudhead Benefit Regatta sizzled with lots of participation from area sailors. Congrats to Peter Ross and Peter Bergendahl here.
And, congratulations to Mohegan Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum for being named Multiple Sclerosis CT Citizen of the Year! The National MS Society, CT Chapter presents the award annually to individuals exemplifying extraordinary leadership, outstanding civic and community service and a longstanding commitment to humanitarian endeavors. Way to go, Bruce and well deserving! More here.
Here is a story about a True Force of Valor — a Niantic resident, Specialist Alex Lozano. Find out how Alex learned at the young age of 21, “Never take anything for granted because too much can change in an instant!” Thank you, Alex, for serving our country!
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.
(l-r) Lisa Gerrol, CT Chapter President and Chief Professional Officer, National MS Society, congratulates 2009 MS Gala honoree Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman, Mohegan Tribal Council.
Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman, Mohegan Tribal Council, was named Multiple Sclerosis (MS) CT Citizen of the Year at the 2009 MS Gala held at Mohegan Sun Thursday, July 23. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, CT Chapter presents the award annually to individuals exemplifying extraordinary leadership, outstanding civic and community service and a longstanding commitment to humanitarian endeavors.
Bruce, who attended Norwich public schools, served as an active member of the Mohegan Tribe for many years. First elected to the Tribal Council in 2004, he won re-election in 2005 and was then selected by fellow councilors to serve as chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council.
Prior to serving on the Tribal Council, Bruce was manager of cultural programs where he established and developed multiple programs, including the continuation of the Mohegan Language Restoration Project, formation of Native flute, singing, dancing, folklore and craft classes and other efforts celebrating Mohegan culture and heritage.
As leader within the Tribe’s cultural and community programs department, Bruce played a key role in the expansion of educational and cultural outreach activities to schools and public, as well as, working on the Green Corn Festival and serving as Wigwam Director and manager of Cultural Week at Fort Shantok.
“Chairman Bozsum is a significant advocate for the CT Chapter and its constituents,” said Lisa Gerrol, CT Chapter President and Chief Professional Officer. “Mohegan Sun supports many of our efforts, including our two-day bike ride and its annual gala event. We are delighted to recognize and honor Chairman Bozsum for his commitment to help ensure that the lives of people with MS keep moving forward.”
More than 6,000 CT residents live with multiple sclerosis, a chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. There currently is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness and, in some more severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted.
The 2009 MS Gala, held in conjunction with the Beyonce concert, raised more than $100,000. Funds raised through chapter events, such as the MS Gala, enable the CT Chapter to provide vital programs and services to those affected by multiple sclerosis. Funds also support groundbreaking research to find better treatments and a cure.
For more about programs and services offered by the CT Chapter, or to make a donation, please visit www.ctfightsms.org or call 1.800.FIGHT MS.
SPC Alex Lazano and his mother, Marie, at the first annual Asian and American Lions Golf Tournament dinner reception on July 13th.
photo & story
by Alexis Ann
After graduating from East Lyme High, Specialist Alex Lozano of Niantic enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2005. Next came the premier Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where SPC Alex learned how to be an “agile and adaptive” leader well grounded in Army values, war fighting tasks, MP technical skills, and doctrine. This training taught Alex to be a prepared soldier capable of executing the five MP functions in support of Military Police, Army, and Joint Force Commanders while conducting full spectrum operations.
Today, Specialist Alex Lozano remains on active duty in Niantic in “healing” status. Last November, Alex was shot in the back while on patrol in Iraq. “I was in a ‘Green Zone’ — it was supposed to be a safe zone,” Alex explained. The bullet entered his right backside and came out his left front. Alex lost a kidney.
Eight months later, as I interview him at the first annual Asian and American Lions Golf Tournament dinner reception, the 21-year old soldier tells me, “The pain is gone!”
A student at the University of New Haven, Alex was majoring in Criminal Justice before being deployed to Iraq in June 2008. “I’ll have to find another major,” states SPC Alex. “I’m considered a risk to work in the Criminal Justice System.”
When asked about the best lesson learned thus far? Alex posits, “Never take anything for granted because too much can change in an instant!”
Clearly, SPC Alex exemplifies the lessons learned at Military Police School — ”agility and adaptability.” The Resident salutes you, Alex…. Good luck with your studies at UNH.
