by Amy Pjura
photo by Alexis Ann

(l-r) Frank McLaughlin, House Committee Chairman, Thames Club, Michael Satti, President, Thames Club, Barun Basu, Barun Basu Associates, Penny Parsekian, CEO, New London Main Street, Mark Stapleton, Stapleton Steel, Inc, Ted Mish, T.M. Builders LLC, Ned Hammond, New London Council and Tony Sheriden, president, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, cut the ribbon at the new façade of the Thames Club.

On Monday, October 5th, The Thames Club, New London, showed off its new gateway and restored façade entrances to the Club during a ribbon cutting ceremony. The steel arch was designed by Barun Basu, Barun Basu Associates, and fabricated by Stapleton Steel, Inc. The project was funded by The Thames Club Foundation and the City of New London, as part of the city’s façade grant program.

Members of the Club, city officials, and members of the community all agreed that the gateway is a wonderful improvement of the Club and the City. The steel gateway does not take away from the historical structures around it, but adds a modern flair that is inviting. Frank McLaughlin, House Committee Chairman, Thames Club, says, “This archway is the perfect fit for this area between the two historical buildings.”

The Thames Club was established in 1869, and in 1888 Thames Club made its permanent home on 290 State Street, New London. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1904, and the present building was built on the site.

Once you walk into the Thames Club, you notice the rich colors and details in the woodwork around doorways. It is a very welcoming feeling and you can sense the pride that each member has for the club. Jerry Olsen, member, and co-owner, Olde Mistick Village, says that the Club “is the oldest club in Connecticut, going back over 100 years. It’s not commercial.” He also said that if you are a member of the Thames Club, you are welcomed into other club across the US.

On a tour around the Club, Lorraine Allen, 2006-2007 President, I was lead to the antique pin bowling lanes and Silhouette Room.  The Thames Club has many activities, including bowling leagues, dinners, wine tastings, and children’s events. Lorraine said that not only is the Club a great way to network, but also to meet new friends, and get out of the everyday routine. She dubbed the club as an “oasis of civilization.”

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Ellie Toy, was one of 4 storytellers from the CT Storytelling Center that joined the Mystic Ballet at the C.B. Jennings Elementary School to perform “Literacy in Motion.”

story & photos
by Toni Parker-Johnson

On Wednesday, September 30th, the C.B. Jennings Elementary School, New London, was the stage for the “Literacy in Motion” program. Storytellers from the Connecticut Storytelling Center joined dancers from the Mystic Ballet, performing for students and their families.

Literacy In Motion highlights the importance of literacy, as narrated through storytelling intertwined with the art and beauty of dance. The stories that were performed that evening were Swan Lake, Carnival of Venice, Thieving Magpies, and Alice in Wonderland’s Tea Party.

(l-r) Alex Subotic and Vanessa Duarte, Mystic Ballet, dance to Thieving Magpies.(l-r) Gantsooj Otgonbyamba and Vanessa Duarte, Mystic Ballet, dance to Swan Lake.

(l-r) Gantsooj Otgonbyamba and Vanessa Duarte, Mystic Ballet, dance to Swan Lake.

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(l-r) Susan C. Aldridge, President, UMUC, Ken Corigliano, first place, Staz Dawson, second place, Waterford, and Timothy Faller, third place, after the Second Annual Military Challenge, September 13th in Washington, D.C.

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) congratulates the winners – Ken Corigliano and Stephanie Brown, respectively – of this year’s UMUC’s Military Challenge race held Sunday, September 13th, in Washington, D.C. Ken and Stephanie competed against more than 500 active-duty military personnel and veterans in UMUC’s Second Annual Military Challenge, a race-within-a-race at the Nation’s Triathlon. More than 4,500 participants overall competed in this year’s triathlon, which followed a marked course past many of Washington, D.C.’s most famous historic landmarks.

Ken, who serves in the U.S. Air Force, also placed ninth overall in the triathlon. Stephanie serves in the U.S. Navy, and place 23rd overall.
Other male Military Challenge race winners include Staz Dawson, Waterford, U.S. Coast Guard, who placed second, and Timothy Faller, Navy, in third. And for the women, Kathryn Hughes, Air Force, in second and Andrea Stover, U.S. Marines, in third.

The Fourth Annual Nation’s Triathlon benefited The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America. All proceeds go toward research to help fund better treatments and cures for blood cancer.

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