Ahoy! Last week, while boating on the Gulf of Mexico, I witnessed a fisherman reeling in a 7ft, 200 lb bull shark where I was swimming only moments before. Talk about a close call! Phew! Happy to be home!
Honor can mean integrity, to hold in high respect, or to bestow distinction. Our first man of honor is William B. Stanley, author and Norwich historian, 80, who died Sunday, April 18th at Hartford Hospital. “Bill Stanley was a great friend to my family and to generations of residents in Norwich who were touched by his generosity, his humor, and his kindness,” said Senator Chris Dodd. The Resident honors his legacy here.
Here, Senator Chris Dodd is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Childhelp, a leading national child abuse prevention organization, in recognition of his 36 years in Congress advocating on behalf of children.
A final salute. In Voluntown, hundreds pulled together for the return of fallen Marine Lance Corporal Tyler Owen Griffin. Tyler, 19, was killed in action on the front lines of Afghanistan. The community honored his sacrifice with three days of remembrances. Visit here for photos of his homecoming.
The Legends of Hollywood series of stamps is honoring film legend, Katharine Hepburn with an issuance of a commemorative stamp on her birthday, May 12. Be the first to get yours at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook, at 11am. Visit here for more about the legacy of the famous redhead.
Do you know someone who deserves to be honored for his/her commitment to making our community a better place to live and work? Groton Utilities is now accepting nominations for its Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award. Residents of Greater Groton are eligible. Get the details here.
Please join us 5:00pm, May 2nd at The Fisherman Restaurant in Noank to raise money for Heather Steel St. Louis! See you there!
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.
William B. Stanley, local historian & journalist, died Sunday, April 18th at the age of 80.
by Tyler Williams
William B. Stanley, 80, died Sunday, April 18th at Hartford Hospital. His illustrious life will be remembered and honored by his involvement as an author and Norwich’s own historian
Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret Stanley, his son William A. Stanley and his daughters Carol Little and Mary Stanley.
Bill’s ability to bring Norwich’s past to the community brought people together and grew an unwavering strength in the community. Bill always had a knack for making local history come alive; he was the spirit of Norwich and he will be greatly missed.
In a statement released to the Resident, Senator Chris Dodd said, “Bill Stanley was a great friend to my family, and to generations of residents in Norwich who were touched by his generosity, his humor, and his kindness. No one was a bigger cheerleader for the city of Norwich than Bill, and his contributions to our state will continue be felt for years to come. I join all those in Norwich and across Connecticut in mourning Bill’s passing, and I will miss him dearly.”
Bill’s legacy will be remembered by the combination of his outspokenness and his ability to put it into writing. His weekly newspaper columns will be remembered not only for his signature “Once Upon a Time” but for his capacity to grab the reader. He also published many books, some of them being a collection of his columns. His largest book chronicled the area’s history and his final book was a gift to Norwich schoolchildren, in which he donated 5,000 books to the school system.
In a statement released to the Resident, Senator Joe Lieberman said, “I was deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Stanley, a statesman, a principled patriot, and a scholar. Bill Stanley loved history, taught history, and made history. I knew Bill for many years, and I am grateful for all of the wisdom he offered me personally. Mostly though, I treasure the example he set in his career of devoted service to this country in the United States Marine Corps, Connecticut’s State Senate, and through the many important causes that he championed in the city of Norwich and throughout our state. Our state and this nation are blessed to have people like Bill Stanley who truly enrich our communities. We, his readers and his students, were particularly blessed with the opportunity to have learned from Bill Stanley, who illuminated our hearts and minds with his weekly columns for the Norwich Bulletin. Bill’s brilliant mind, generous spirit, and unforgettable stories will never fade from our memory.”
The Groton Lodge of Elks held their Annual Installation of Officers on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Lodge. Installed for the new Lodge year were:
Joann Donnel, Exalted Ruler;
Brian Proctor, Leading Knight;
Stephen Harris, Loyal Knight;
Suzanne Rathbun, Lecturing Knight;
Sid Buttermore, Secretary;
Larry Gerrish, Treasurer;
David Garside, Trustee;
Ed Silva, Tiler;
Turner Donnel, Esquire;
Albert Losacano, Chaplain;
Cheryl Valdez, Inner Guard
Exalted Ruler Donnel had served on various committees and held several Lodge positions before becoming the Lodge’s 51st Exalted Ruler. Past Exalted, Ray Bromberek, acted as Grand Exalted Ruler for the day. The event was attended by over 200 Lodge Members and Guests.
• Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, Groton, 9th Consecutive Year
• Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, 8th Consecutive Year
• Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, Old Saybrook, 8th Consecutive Year
• Grand Pequot Tower at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, 7th Consecutive Year
• MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, 1st Year
The 2010 AAA Four Diamond Awards, Dining:
• Copper Beech Inn, Ivoryton, 13th Consecutive Year
• Terra Mar Grille, Old Saybrook, 8th Consecutive Year
• Octagon, Groton, 7th Consecutive Year
• Paragon, Mashantucket, 6th Consecutive Year
• Craftsteak, Mashantucket, 2nd Consecutive Year
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) received a lifetime achievement award from Childhelp, a leading national child abuse prevention organization, in recognition of his 36 years in Congress advocating on behalf of children.
“For each individual case of child abuse, each child who suffers, there is a lasting story of pain and loss. Child maltreatment affects the emotional and behavioral development of its victims, often for a lifetime,” said Dodd as he accepted the award. “Even one case of abuse or neglect is too many. But every child we save from maltreatment is a child who can go on to achieve great things. For half a century, Childhelp has done so much good for so many kids, and it has been an honor to stand with you.”
