It was mix and mingle with the Housewives at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Sunday, November 8th, and I was asked to tag along with Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Tribal Elders Sharon Porter and Cheryl Martin. The meet and greet brunch was fabulous and the Housewives were outgoing, and real. I wouldn’t have missed it.
Ramona Singer, New York
Alex McCord is a busy Manhattan career woman working in the visual merchandising world. In her busy life, she manages to juggle being a mother to her two children, Francois and Johan, a wife to her devoted husband and constant sidekick Simon van Kempen and a thriving social calendar.
Ramona Singer continues to be focused on her career running her business R.M.S. Fashions, as well as, her successful line of jewelry, “True Faith.” Always the entrepreneur, she’s constantly busy with new business ventures. Ramona loves to travel with her tennis player husband Mario, and watch her 13 year old daughter, Avery, grow up right before her eyes. Always the fiery one, life with Ramona is never dull, as she continues to keep everyone in check.
Teresa Giudice is a true Jersey girl born and raised. Her parents emigrated from Italy and raised both Teresa and her brother Giuseppe in an Italian Catholic home. She grew up playing house with her now husband of eight years, Joe, and are in the process of building their own massive dream home. Teresa, for now a stay at home mom, spends her time raising their
Teresa Guidice, New Jersey
three beautiful daughters Gia, Gabriella, and Milania. She manages each of the girls’ busy schedules, shuffling them from dance, gymnastics, acting, voice, and guitar lessons – and Teresa herself teaches them all how to be “fabulous.” She’s also involved in community service, and serves as a committee member for Project Ladybug, a foundation created by Dina Manzo, friend and fellow housewife.
Caroline Manzo, New Jersey
The epitome of a strong New Jersey woman, Caroline Manzo is a devoted wife and mother of three, who always puts her family first while making time for her career. Married for more than 25 years, her husband Albert runs a very successful catering facility, The Brownstone. Caroline tries to instill the value of both book smarts and street smarts in her children, Albie, Christopher and Lauren. Caroline is also the owner of two successful businesses, Opus Properties, a real estate firm, and 4 My Mom, a children’s accessories line. In addition, she serves on the board of her sister, Dina’s foundation, Project Ladybug and is affiliated with The Carolyn Gable Expect A Miracle Foundation, which helps single mothers.
Kathleen McNamara and her husband Joe Baldi. Kathleen is a member of Fairview’s Development Committee
The Fairview Odd Fellows Home of CT held its seventh annual antiques and collectibles auction on November 7. The event was attended by 130 guests who enjoyed both a silent and live auction along with delicious desserts donated by local restaurants. The auction realized a net profit of $60,280.48. All proceeds will be used to help pay for the ongoing implementation of a new electronic medical records system.
Residents of the Thames River Family Program celebrated Thanksgiving with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun on November 17th.
The WNBA’s Connecticut Sun continued its holiday tradition on Tuesday, November 17th, celebrating Thanksgiving with Thames River Family Program.
CT Sun General Manager Chris Sienko, and head coach Mike Thibault and his wife Nanci were on hand along with the entire Sun staff, serving a dinner that included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, lasagna, salad, pies and cookies to Thames River Family Program residents.
“It’s great for the kids, and I think it’s something they always look forward to,” said Kathy Allen, Director of Services and Operations, Thames River Community Service, Inc. “They didn’t know what to expect. They get so excited, just like their mothers do.”
Thames River Family Program (TRFP) was founded in 1992 in response to the rising number of families headed by single women living in poverty. TRFP is a supportive community of formerly homeless families headed by single mothers pursuing goals of self-sufficiency, independence from public assistance and control over their lives. Participating families reside at Thames River for a maximum of two years, while preparing for employment and developing life skills.
“I’m thankful that we do this, and I’m thankful that in the last year since we did this, there have been more success stories,” said Mike, addressing a gathering of about 50 residents before dinner. “Thank you for having us here.”
Food from Tuesday night’s event was also delivered to Martin House Inc., a transitional living facility for men located in Norwich.
CJ Connolly, Noank, shares her book, “Wil, Fitz, and Flea Named T.”
Meet Mr. T. He is a wise, old flea that helps his new friends Wil and Fitz find what they are looking for and teaches them a thing or two about life along the way. This enchanting children’s book, “Wil, Fitz, and a Flea Named T,” is written by CJ Connolly, Noank, and is part of a new series, published by Crosswinds Press, Inc. The book is illustrated by Lisa Adams, Mystic, and designed by Trish LaPointe, Old Mystic.
The main character of this book, and the series, Wil, is CJ’s grandson. She wrote the story for him for Christmas last year. CJ was diagnosed with scleroderma, and incurable and ultimately terminal auto-immune disorder, and wanted to have something special to leave for her family, and for Wil. “Finding out about my disease definitely put life in perspective. It was time to write down all of the many lessons I learned from family, friends and life in general to pass on to my grandchildren and others,” said CJ. CJ’s husband, George, wanted a way to publish the story, so others could enjoy it. He created Crosswinds Press, Inc.
CJ authored many professional books and articles before this children’s series, but certainly nothing quite as fun and exciting. Rhyming comes easy and she’s glad that she can have fun with were writing for a change. When asked why she chose fleas, she responded, “No one has written about fleas yet!” CJ explained that before she even thinks of the plot of the story, she has to think about the flea first. Sometimes, the flea is based on a real person. In another one of her books, “The Boomerang,” Mr. T’s cousin, Zed, visits from Australia and teaches Wil that in life you get what you give. Zed is based off a friend of CJ’s that actually gave Wil a boomerang.
Wil, and CJ, are very proud of the series and CJ expresses, “I wouldn’t be able to do it without the team. The team of people making it happen.” The book is available locally at Bank Square Books, Mystic, or through the Crosswinds Press website, www.crosswindspress.com.
