“Readers who are young and young at heart will learn Who helps them along life's journey”, shares Sandy Mattucci, Newington, about her new book “The Long Journey Home.”
“When did I first get interested in writing?” Sandy Mattucci, author, Newington, repeats my question. “Oh, my gosh! It was way back when I was a young child. I always loved to play with words and I attempted to bring them to life with my sketches.”
“Back in 1990 as a Hospital Chaplain I had a ministry with children at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI. I loved helping little ones to discover a “God” who is always with them. Helping children this way inspired me to write and illustrate my first book, ‘The Long Journey Home.’”
“The Long Journey Home” is a children’s book published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA. It is a spiritual journey for the young and young at heart in which two curious hermit crabs named Harvard and Helena leave their comfortable underwater cave to find the light above the surface of the ocean’s depths. Their journey leads them through unexpected perils and dangerous encounters they never imagined. Despite their challenges, they do not turn back. They meet wise old Papa Crawler along the way who teaches them truth and how to understand life’s lessons.
“I celebrate each moment that I am in the present,” Sandy continues. “I realize that God is within my heart and is with me in each step. I am deeply filled with wonder and gratitude for the God who inspires the words that flow from within me and moves with my hand when I hold a pencil. My hope is that through writing my readers will celebrate their own personal journey.”
Sandy shares a special experience with me.
“ A woman who read “The Long Journey Home” to her son told me that years ago her little boy brought home a pet hermit crab. After getting the crab settled, the boy went to sleep. When he woke up he could not find his pet crab and thought his cat devoured him. Dressing himself to go outside, his first sneaker went on without difficulty. What do you suppose he found in the second sneaker? Yes! It held the hermit crab! His joy was turned to consternation when the crab clipped his toe. He let out a shout!”
In addition to writing Sandy loves to spend time in the outdoors.
“Hiking down into the belly of a canyon, playing upon the water in my kayak, biking up a hill and enjoying the flight down, or swinging a golf club sending a little white ball soaring into a beautiful green carpeted fairway…these are a few of my favorite activities. I also savor sacred time with my soul sisters and brothers who join me on my journey.”
Mindy Ferguson wishes to inspire women with her new book, “The Hugs Bible Reflections for Women.”
I am excited about my new book,” exclaims Mindy Ferguson. “Through my travels in this country as a Christian Women’s Group leader, I meet many women who share how God leads and helps them through their every day difficulties. This gave me the idea of coupling these stories with short Bible lessons. My thought is that the combination will not only inspire women to greater faith, but also help them to discover the relevance of God’s word in their lives today. My book is a collection of 52 personal inspirational stories each one followed by a short scriptural lesson.”
It took a long time for Mindy to come to know God herself and draw close to Him.
“I grew up in a home with parents who did not talk about God at all. When they were divorced it was a very difficult time for me. I felt so alone and lost. I had no anchor. It wasn’t until I was 26 years old that my husband and I both said ‘yes’ to God. I was completely transformed on the inside and suddenly my life took on more meaning and fulfillment than I ever dreamed possible.”
“This world teaches us ‘it’s all about me.’ I now know that true inner joy comes from knowing it is all about God and His glory.”
Who will you meet in Mindy’s new book, “The Hugs Bible Reflections for Women?” You will meet women sharing their real life struggles ranging from the loss of a husband to destroyed financial dreams, from answered prayers for a mission team to tragic health issues.
“My purpose is to encourage women of all denominations to develop a more intimate and fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ through the study of God’s Word.”
Mindy’s new book is a part of the Simon & Schuster Hugs series. Her writings are also found in “Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler’s Soul,” the “P31 Woman” magazine, “Just Between Us” magazine and “One Year Life Verse Devotional.” She is the author of “Walking With God: From Slavery to Freedom: Living the Promised Life,” an in-depth Bible study for women.
Mindy is the founder of Fruitful Word Ministries. For more information about Mindy and her ministry you can visit her website: www.FruitfulWord.org.
Logistics Specialist First Class Brett Adams, assigned to Naval Submarine Support Center (NSSC) New London, received the Charles A. Lockwood Award for Submarine Professional Excellence by the Naval Submarine League.
This annual award, named for World War II Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Charles Lockwood, “recognizes individuals for achievement, contribution, specific action or consistent performance, which best exemplifies the traditional spirit embodied in the submarine force,” according to the Submarine League.
Brett, a native of Houma, LA, was selected for his performance while assigned to Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719).
“I was surprised and overwhelmed to learn I had won this award,” said Brett. “It could not have happened without the support of the leadership and crew aboard Providence.”
Assigned as the Supply Division Leading Petty Officer, Brett excelled not only in his primary duties, but in his collateral duties. He served as the Educational Services Officer, facilitating and administering advancement exams while deployed; Drug and Alcohol Prevention Advisor; and, president of the Recreation Committee, improving the command climate and overall ships readiness. In addition, he was the only First Class Petty officer selected to stand Chief of the Watch.
The award was presented during the Naval Submarine League symposium in Mclean, VA.
The 2010 Eastern Connecticut tourism season is on the horizon, and with it comes a number of challenges, especially relating to the money available for promoting the region. However, with the right mindset, these challenging times also provide a number of opportunities.
The economy, statewide and nationwide, still faces hurdles in its recovery. State funding for tourism marketing has been dramatically reduced. However, our region remains a top tourism attraction, for those here as well as for those beyond.
Eastern Connecticut is an area that holds large appeal for many different reasons. People come here to visit Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, play at the casinos, enjoy our beaches, parks and attractions, learn some history, experience beauty. Many of the people enjoying these aspects of Connecticut already live here, and the number of those vacationing in their own backyard is growing.
We are the embodiment of a quaint New England region. We offer the best in historical places, museums, and other attractions that entice families to spend their time and money here. During the difficult times our region still faces, we would all do well to remember that our own backyard often provides more pleasure than we realize. Dollars spent in our economy stay here, and multiply.
Reminding state residents of the opportunities in their midst should be a large part of this year’s tourism marketing efforts. Doing so supports the chamber’s “Buy Local” program. Our “Buy Local” program supports our friends and neighbors who have invested in our community and who create employment opportunities for our residents.
The tourism industry is a very important part of the region’s economy. Working together, the industry can weather the difficult economic period we are in. We have much to share with the travelling public. We are fortunate to have enticing shops, neighborhoods, museums with local flavors, and communities that are friendly and inviting; all of the essential ingredients that make the travelling public feel welcome and want to return for another visit.
This tourism season is an important one, and it’s time for our community to come together, not just as a marketing tool, but as a region we are all proud of and eager to share.
Sincerely,
Tony Sheridan
President & CEO
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern
Connecticut
Octagon is jumping right into the holiday season with exciting new menus. Begin to experience the “Art of Steak” with a selection of our starters, including Peppered Kobe Beef Carpaccio with a spicy Arugula Salad or Crab & Asparagus Salad with Bitter Greens and Basil Vinaigrette or Truffled Mussels & Clams with Corn Madeleines or select your own starter plate with blackened Tuna Sashimi, or our daily raw bar including Oysters, Clams, Mussels & Shrimp. Continue your gastronomic journey with one of Octagon’s feature plates: Organic Free Range Roast Chicken with Thyme Tea and Artichoke Fries, Wild Pacific Salmon, Hawaiian Blue Prawns, or Aged Moulard Duck Sirloin with Shallot-Ginger Marmalade and Blood Orange Gastrique.
Our current handcrafted Steaks include an 8oz certified Black Angus Tenderloin, a 16oz Brandt Farms all natural Delmonico Rib-eye, a 14oz Snake River Farms Kobe Sirloin, a 22oz Certified Black Angus Kansas City Bone-in Strip and of course, Octagon’s Signature 24oz Chili-rubbed Bone-in Rib Eye. All prepared for you with a choice of nine complimentary rubs and sauces.
Octagon is located at 625 North Road in Groton. For more information, visit www.waterfordgrouprestaurants.com or call 860.326.0360.
The 2010 Eastern Connecticut tourism season is on the horizon, and with it comes a number of challenges, especially relating to the money available for promoting the region. However, with the right mindset, these challenging times also provide a number of opportunities.
