Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, interviews Patti Stanger, The Millionaire Matchmaker, at Mohegan Sun’s Signings & Sightings event. Patti is instrumental in helping couples find true love.
by Alexis Ann
We’re growing anxious in anticipation of New Beginnings – Spring! And, Spring brings the 7th Annual Mystic St. Patrick’s Parade scheduled for March 21st, 1 pm…so, mark your calendars! Also, the Naturally Irish Dinner will be held at the Mystic Hilton on the 19th followed by the Dublin City Ramblers Concert at 8pm.
This issue, the Resident Team thought it was important to give accolades to our academic achievers around the region. Here, we compiled an extensive list of Fall 2009 Dean’s List Students. Let’s put our hands together for our hardworking students!
Cub Scout Zachariah Asa Wayne Ojanpera-Lynch, Groton, was presented with the Honor Medal on the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America at their Pacesetter Dinner. Zachariah’s quick thinking averted disaster. Meet this hero here.
An affordable homeownership opportunity was made possible through the efforts of the Connection Fund, Inc.. According to Heide Erb, Director of Communications at the Connection, “The new construction enhances the value of surrounding properties in the neighborhood….” More here.
Mohegan Sun’s Cup Runneth Over with entertainment over the past couple of weeks. Resident boxing reporter Alex Pierpaoli, captures Manfredi Outworking Vanda in ten rounds here. Christopher Annino enjoyed Sophie B. Hawkins in the Wolf Den, as she wowed the audience, see the story here. Jessica Warzeniak photographed Aaron Lewis during his induction into the Mohegan Sun’s Walk of Fame and later while he captivated an enthusiastic audience for his performance in the Arena, read the photo story here. Finally, I interviewed Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger in the morning… here… part 2 coming next issue… and, in the evening the most energetic, awesomely talented KID ROCK was nothing short of fabulous!
Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news” happen.
Zachariah Lynch, Cub Scout, Pack 50 Groton, receives congratulations from his dad as his mom pins his Honor Medal on his uniform.
by Roger Chatell
Zachariah Asa Wayne Ojanpera-Lynch was presented with the Honor Medal on the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America at their Pacesetter Dinner on February 8, at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. Zack is a Cub Scout in Pack 50 Groton, which is chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The national court of honor of the Boy Scouts of America awarded Zack its heroism award for demonstrating heroism and skill in saving life at risk to himself.
When Zachariah was eight-years-old last May, he was outside playing on the swing set, while his older siblings were in the house and his mother rested, suffering from a headache. His two-year-old brother Ephraim had his broken arm in a splint and sling, awaiting casting. Little Ephraim snuck outside, and started throwing objects with his other arm into a manmade fish pond in the yard. The toddler threw a toy in, and then decided that he wanted to get it back. Leaning over the edge, the little boy fell in.
Zack quickly ran over and was able to grab and hold onto him, while his little brother clung to a rock with his feet slipping out from underneath him, hindered by leaves, sticks, rocks, and mud at the bottom of the plastic-lined pond. Ephraim had fallen in four feet of water, and with only one good arm, struggled to keep his footing and not fall off the pond’s steep slope to six feet of deep water.
Holding onto his two-year-old brother, who hadn’t yet learned to swim, Zack began yelling for help as loud as he could, but no one in the house heard his cries. He yelled for help for several minutes, but to no avail. Zack tried to lift Ephraim out, but he was unable to pull out his screaming younger brother, still unsuccessfully trying to get stable footing on the slippery bottom of the pond. After no one responded to the boys’ screams for help, trying not to further injure Ephraim’s broken arm, Zack summoned all his strength and pulled his brother from the water. Soaked and covered in mud, he helped his brother into the house where their mother was.
Zachariah’s quick thinking averted disaster. He was a Cub Scout for less than two years and is not a strong swimmer, but trained in water safety, he knew to lie down on the ground and grab onto his brother’s good hand.
(l-r) Lindsay Peterson, Thing 1 and Josh Medieros, The Cat in the Hat enjoy the theme day at the Mystic Education Center.
story & photo
by Crystal Harpstreit
Face paint and Cat in the Hat inspired accessories were the universal them on Saturday, January 31st at the Mystic Education Center. The costumes were all part of a special day of Dr. Seuss themed swimming lessons. Kids ages three to 15 and those from the beginner swim level to advanced participated in the event and instructors dressed up as well.
There was a feeling of excitement in the air as the kids got their costumes together and got ready to jump in the pool. Josh Medieros, the program director says, “I’m really big into themes, I wanted to bring that energy in.” Josh also works at a camp during the summer where he says that they have regular, “Theme days,” as well.
The students swam, laughed and splashed around in the pool as they improved their swimming skills and socialized. Swim lessons were accompanied by story time with the swim instructors who read Dr. Seuss’ classic books to the children. Even parents, such as Lisa Lambert sat with her son Luke and listened on as Erin Blette read “Green Eggs and Ham” aloud in the lobby of the Mystic Education Center. Erin will soon take over as the new director when Josh, a recent Southern Connecticut State University graduate, leaves.
Games were part of the day as well. Josh says, “We’re going all out with it,” about the Dr. Seuss themed day.
On coming up with the idea for the Dr. Seuss theme, Josh says that the Mystic Education Center’s employees, including Lindsay Peterson, Kevin Grant and Cory Calamari came up with the idea after some, “Brainstorming.” Instructors decided that the Dr. Seuss theme would be enjoyable because his books are such a well known part of American pop-culture and are, just plain fun. This event is part of the 10 week winter session which began last fall.
Theming the day is very popular with everyone involved and there will be more in the future, Josh says, “We look forward to doing more themed events in the future and hope that more people come to see what we’re about.”
The Mystic Education Center is located at 240 Oral School Road.
Five students from Westbrook Middle School were chosen to perform in the annual Southern Region Middle School Music Festival presented by the Connecticut Music Education Association. The festival concert, comprised of students who were selected by audition from 45 schools in the region. Westbrook’s participating students (l-r) Fletcher Comment, concert band percussion, Erik Simon Vuoritie, jazz band tenor saxophone, Robby Mitchell, chorus, Jon Butterworth, concert band trombone and Anna Schneider, concert band clarinet.
Leslie Tryon, Westerly, author and illustrator of the Albert Series, reads from Albert’s Alphabet as children sit in rapt attention.
story & photo
by Maren Schober
Despite this cold blustery wintry day in Niantic, children with their parents pour into the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut on Saturday, February 6th. Excitement is in the air. The children are eager to meet some of their favorite Connecticut children’s authors and to listen to their stories.
“This is our first time hosting this event,” Melissa Gula, Director of Guest Services, tells me. “We are very excited about the opportunity!”
Connecticut Loves To Read Day is sponsored by the Southeastern Connecticut Reading Association whose goal is to promote literacy. It is celebrated every year. Four gifted authors are on hand to read and interact with the children today.
Leslie Tryon, Westerly, author and illustrator of the Albert Series, is on hand to read from Albert’s Alphabet. Albert the school carpenter is assigned a task that seems virtually impossible! He has to build an alphabet for the walking path on the school playground by six o’clock using all twenty six letters. How is he ever going to finish in time? The children listen in rapt attention.
“I began drawing almost as soon as I learned to walk,” Leslie comments. “I toddled into my father’s art studio and discovered his art supplies! I wrote and illustrated my first full story when I was in the fifth grade. I am delighted to know that my books are embraced by teachers and librarians.”
Joe Podurgiel’s Fresh Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes is a delightfully dramatic tale of a young robin whose love for blueberries gets him into trouble with Farmer Brown who loves blueberry buttermilk pancakes. The illustrations are outstanding watercolors by Katerina Green.
“About ten years ago I went on a business trip,” declares Joe, who is from Quaker Hill. “During that trip I decided to try and write a story to bring home to my kids. I wrote this story in 45 minutes.”
Cheryl Kling, Branford, reads from her book Nature’s Royal Tea Party. “In my story characters from Nature’s Royalty are invited to the May Queen’s tea party. The little Firefly is the messenger who delivers invitations to Queen Mum, Ladybug, Queen Bee, the Frog Prince, the Monarch Butterfly and other royal characters who prepare to celebrate with a secret guest of honor.”
Bob Crelin’s Faces Of The Moon is treasured by school teachers and librarians alike. This book teaches about the Moon and its phases. Each turn of a page the reader watches the moon change. Bob is from Guilford.
“Do you wonder, when you see the Moon, at dusk, or dawn, or midday noon, just why her face is curved, or round, or why she sometimes can’t be found?” reads Bob. “I probably was first inspired as a baby, when my father would always point out the Moon in the sky with me in his arms. ‘Moon’ was the first word I spoke.”
“Everybody, young or old wonders about the Moon in our sky,” Bob continues. “It is the nearest world to Earth in our universe, and is there for all to see-no matter where they live. Learning that the changing Moon is actually telling us clues about her orbit in space is fascinating to any child – from age 5-105!”
