On October 1st, the Groton and Willimantic Elks, gifted eight computers, and two laser printers to the Adult Computer Learning Center at the Groton Senior Center, temporarily housed at the Noank School. Computer classes are offered to seniors, so updated machines are greatly appreciated to further knowledge. To date, the joint venture between Willimantic and Groton Lodges has also donated over 60 computers to local police and fire departments. (l-r) Patricia Beetham, computer center supervisor, Richard Kozek, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler and Groton Lodge Computer Committee, Michael McHugh, Exalted Ruler, Groton Lodge, Mary Jo Riley, Director, Groton Senior Center, Patrick Christadore, PER, Willimantic Lodge, and Ronald Coleman,Computer Committee, Willimantic Lodge.
Walk for a Cure for Breast Cancer
On Saturday, October 3, 430 people participated in the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) Walk or Run fundraiser for breast cancer research. Pam’s Pink Posse was among the many teams who walked the full marathon distance. (l-r) Members of Pams Pink Posse: Donna Ruggleri, Kim Hoffa, Dennaye Garbati, Patty Fraser, Cindy Shea, Pam Watt, Nancy Shepard, Judy Teel, Abby Shepard.
Thames Club Presents New Façade
(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 Sheridan, president, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, cut the ribbon at the new façade of the Thames Club on October 5th.
Dime Bank Opens in Stonington Borough
During Dime Bank’s grand opening celebration, they served hundreds of hot dogs, ice cream cones, and soda pop. (l-r) Nicholas Caplanson, Senior Vice President, CFO & Treasurer, Lynn Wallace, Stonington Teller, Jim Cronin, President & CEO, Tony Antoch, Vice President Commercial Lending, Laraine Celluci, Stonington Branch Manager, Sandy Blanchard, Stonington Head Teller.
October 28, 2009
NFL Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Patriots all-pro receiver Randy Moss covered his great pair of hands with some pink gloves in support of breast cancer awareness at the game on October 4th. In addition to players wearing pink accessories, the team festooned Gillette Stadium with colorful pink, including the padding on the goal posts.
Putnam Bank Cuts the Ribbon at New Norwich Branch
On October 14th, Tom Borner, Chairman & CEO, Putnam Bank, cut the ribbon at the Putnam Bank Grand Opening of their new Norwich Branch. (behind, l-r) Kimberly Manavas, Norwich Branch Manager, Robert Halloran, President & CFO, Tony Sheridan, president, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, Scott Belleville and Scott Merchant, representatives from the Norwich Fire Department, Alan Bergren, Norwich City Manager, Mark Bettencourt, Norwich City Councilman, Brian Curtin, Norwich City Treasurer, and Bob Reed, president, Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.
Ledyard Center School is 60!
(l-r) The Ledyard Center School celebrated its 60th birthday, on Friday, October 16th, with yellow and orange cupcakes in the shape of a”60.” Tiffany Hui, chooses a cupcake, while Nina Costales, and Christina Dio wait to pick one.
“I’m going to have the best ambulance service in the State.”
Ron Aliano
August 18, 1944 – October 31, 2009
Live Wisely, Love Well:
An Afternoon with Jamie Lee Curtis
On November 1, Well Healed Woman celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a record-breaking 861 attendees at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, Groton. Each year, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital presents the dynamic one-day conference for women. This year the keynote speaker was actress and activist, Jamie Lee Curtis who epitomizes the theme of Health, Healing, and Humor.
AmericanWarrior: WWII Vets
On November 7th, the AmericanWarrior program, established in 2005 by State Representative Chris Coutu, flew 100 World War II veterans from CT to Washington, DC. The veterans arrived at the capital to a water cannon salute. After lunching at the WWII Memorial, they visited the Korean, Air Force, SeaBee, Vietnam, Marine and Navy Memorials. At the end of the day, they returned home to a hero’s welcome at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks. (l-r) Veterans Sitting: Raymond Tkach, Wilfred Nelson, Harry Darrow Sr., Dorothy Reed, Wilson Beaulieu, John Manoilow, Ward Bing, and Thomas Sabatino. Veterans Standing: unidentified, John Rose, unidentified, Ken Fish, Roger Grenier, Kenneth Ring, Bob Snow, Leon Gardner, unidentified, Robert Wicks, George Ference, Charles Enos, Doug Winslow, unidentified, unidentified, Edward Insalaco, unidentified, Joseph “Gene” Millette, unidentified, George Henson, Merton Green Sr., Fred Stone, and unidentified. Kneeling: State Repressentative Christopher Coutu, Founder, AmericanWarrior, and Rich Buzon, Team Leader.
November 25, 2009
Dr. Raymond B. Johnson Receives
William Crawford Distinguished Citizen Award
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut presents the William Crawford Distinguished Service Award annually to an outstanding member of our community who exemplifies the spirit of service to one’s neighbors and who contributes to the quality of life in Eastern Connecticut. Dr. Raymond B. Johnson, formerly of Pfizer Inc., this year’s award recipient, was honored on November 5th at the Mystic Marriott.
The Real Housewives of NY & NJ
It was mix and mingle with the Housewives of New York and New Jersey at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Sunday, November 8th. (l-r) Caroline Manzo, NJ, Teresa Guidice, NJ, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Member Cheryl Martin, Ramona Singer, NY, MPTN Elder Sharon Porter, and Alex McCord, NY, mingle at the Meet & Greet.
North Stonington Pie Ladies
At the North Stonington Congregational Church, on Main Street, a group of hard-working women are in the kitchen coring apples, rolling dough and creating handmade pies, right down to the boxes that you take them home in. The tradition of pie making in the historic village of North Stonington raised $15,000 for the church fund last year. (l-r) Ann Wohlleber, Janet Lewis, Carrie Bossie, Janetha Sander, Barbara Gildersleeve, and Sharon Roode
(l-r) Mitchell Etess, President and CEO, Mohegan Sun, Chef Bobby Flay, and Laurence Kretchmer, Bobby’s business partner, smile with satisfaction of a job well done at the Grand Opening of the Bar Americain in Mohegan Sun on November 21st.
Magical Mystic Holiday Tour
On Saturday, November 28th, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce held its Santa Arrives by Boat and 7th Annual Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive at the Mystic River Park. It was a busy day filled with holiday cheer. Santa arrived on a 60’ tug boat, the John Paul, at 2:00 p.m. and opened his ears to the wishes of hundreds of children waiting in line to see him. Festivities in the park resumed with the lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:00 p.m. Spectators then flooded to the edge of the boardwalk to see the decorated ships pass by. To enter, boats were required to donate a toy or coat for the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and to light their boats with as much Christmas spirit as they could muster. Over 20 boats participated including many privately owned boats as well as some boats owned by organizations.
Nick Distasio Retires After 35 Years
of Service as Bridgetender
(l-r) Mystic Drawbridge tenders Bruce Sullivan, Nick Distasio and Rod Coleman celebrate Nick’s last day, December 1st, at the Mystic Drawbridge house. Nick retired after 35 years of service.
December 23, 2009
Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Award Ceremony
It was another festive occasion for all those who attended the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala at the Mystic Marriott & Spa on December 10th. Friends and family members honored David Silvia as the Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. David Silvia with his mother, Carol Silvia, North Stonington, and his granddaughter, Sydney George, Norwich, after receiving the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Dime Bank’s Small Biz Package
(l-r) Jim Cronin, president and CEO, and Bob Giffen, senior vice president of commercial lending, announced Dime Bank’s “small business stimulus program” on December 10th.
October 14, 2009
