story & photos
by Ed Dean

(Click on photo for ID’s)

Visit the Resident on Flickr for more pics!

It was the Connecticut Sun that gave the 101-year old, Mystic Seaport’s steamboat Sabino its sparkle on September 3rd. Four athletes from the playoff-hopeful WNBA team joined fans for an evening cruise in an effort to raise awareness among school children for the nation’s leading maritime museum. Proceeds from the event went to a new Mystic Seaport initiative to provide greater access to the museum for local school children.

It was a brilliant day for local school kids like Mackenzie Braymar, who took the opportunity to take pictures with Erin Phillips, one of her favorite WNBA players. Connecticut Sun’s guard Lindsey Whalen mingled among guests, while players Asjha Jones and Sandrine Gruda signed autographs for fans. Steve White, President, Mystic Seaport, a retired teacher and field-trip advocate, took the helm of the Sabino, which is the last coal-fired steamboat in operation in the country.

The Connecticut Sun and the Mystic Seaport are key components of a vibrant community in Southeastern Connecticut that brings people from all around the state together for entertainment and education. There are many connections in the network between Mystic Seaport and the Connecticut Sun, including the Mike O’Farrell, Public Relations Manager, Mystic Seaport, who is the voice behind the broadcasted cheers at Connecticut Sun games.

Mystic Seaport has it’s own working shipyard featuring tall ships, as well as a re-created 19th century village, exhibits, and a planetarium. For information on Mystic Seaport, visit www.mysticseaport.org. For information on the Connecticut Sun, visit www.wnba.com/sun.