story & photo
by Angela Olsen

(l-r, front row) Coach Ray Hodges, Coach Rashib Robledo, Hashim Barnhill, Ava Bowles, Nick Ramos, Coach Kent Ward, owner/administrator, Strike Zone, (back row) Cevon Riley, Michelle Torres, Aliyah Hannah, Demetrius Hannah, and Tyreek Edwards work together in the Gloves Not Guns program which teaches the students how to protect themselves without resorting to weapons.

There is something inspirational taking place every day in a modest space on Bank Street in beautiful, historic, downtown New London.  Next door to legendary grinder shop Patsy’s, is a small sign which reads “Strike Zone.”  You drive past it every day and yet many folks have no idea what it is!

I gave an old high-school buddy, Coach Rashib Robledo, a call, and asked him to show me around and introduce me to the smiling faces of the children involved with Gloves Not Guns.  I noticed from his Facebook profile that he, a former New London High School wrestling force to be reckoned with, displayed some photos of kids with a contagious energy! 

Says Rashib, “I made a lot of poor decisions growing up, and feel that now is the time to give back; to do my part to help the youth of my hometown avoid the unnecessary trouble I got myself into.”

As a New London native, with a deep compassion for the obstacles faced by the youngsters of the six-square mile town, and years of experience working for the summer programs, I get it.  There are many children who are at-risk, can easily get lost in the shuffle, and sadly, not live up to their potential.

Coach Kent Ward, Waterford, saw this, and he and his partner, Darryl MarcAurele, Oakdale, opened Whaling City Boxing Club almost  nine years ago.  They were also granted 501 c 3 non-profit status for “Heavy Hitters,” an organization which is established in New London, and “provides after-school and early evening boxing, wrestling, and conditional programs for kids and young adults.”

I sat in on practice Saturday, June 12, to see what’s going on at Strike Zone.  What I discovered was a half dozen kids, moving through drills with their heads high and tremendous enthusiasm.  Among the standouts was Nicholas Ramos, New London, who is twelve years old.  He began the program a year ago, and walks with a different swagger than most kids of his age.

Nicholas tells us, “Gloves Not Guns is a great way to protect yourself, without using a weapon.  I learned that everybody is an important person, and to NEVER think bad thoughts about myself.  Coach Rashib never gives up on anyone.”

Coach Kent shared a chart with me, which shows the progress of their mat-drive, and they are truly ‘spinning their wheels’ to raise nearly $9000 for a new wrestling mat.  There will be a fundraising dinner on July 23, at the First Baptist Church on State Street in New London, and they ask that you, the dedicated readers of the Resident, come out in support of this remarkable program!

For more information on classes, schedules, or where to make a donation, please visit: www.heavyhittersusa.org

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Mitchell Grossinger Etess, President and CEO, Mohegan Sun

June is always a very exciting time of year at Mohegan Sun. I think we share the same sentiment as many Southeastern CT residents — there’s a certain buzz and excitement in our region each year as the temperatures warm up, the leaves on the trees are out and we know that summer is upon us.

Here in Mystic Country, we’re often at our best in the summer. Tourists from all over the country, and many times, within our own state, visit our beautiful beaches, wooded trails, great family attractions and our non-stop entertainment offerings.

The Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau is in full swing now with a marketing and media plan that will directly assist our region in attracting tourism consumers. The GMVB website, mystic.org, is up and running and is an incredible new resource for potential visitors and local businesses.  I would like to thank Dr. Stephen Coan and Peter Glankoff of Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration for their leadership on these efforts, as well as, Ed Dombroskas from the Eastern Regional Tourism District and George Galinsky, who has been involved on behalf of Mohegan Sun. Countless business and industry leaders have rallied together again, as has been done so many times in the past, to support Greater Mystic.  This is especially important this year with the lack of any state funding to promote and draw visitors to the region.

Along with our partnerships within the region for the upcoming tourism season, here at Mohegan Sun, we’re gearing up for what we know will be a very exciting summer.

Our 13th Annual Hot Summer Fun celebration begins on July 1st and we’re thrilled to bring back our Wild Wednesdays parties/fireworks on the rooftop of the Riverview Garage, special deals throughout the rest of the week and some of the best concerts touring this summer. In fact, during Hot Summer Fun, we’ll host 144 shows and events in just 64 days, with something for everyone in Mohegan Sun Arena, The Cabaret Theatre, the Wolf Den and The Shops at Mohegan Sun. Many of these great shows and events are also free.

I hope that we see you for Hot Summer Fun and that this season, you’ll be able to enjoy our region’s great resources and offerings. Have a fantastic summer!

Sincerely,
Mitchell Grossinger Etess
President and CEO
Mohegan Sun

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story & photos
by Angela Olsen

The Mystic Lions Club 24th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, held on June 14 at the Stonington Country Club, raised money for the Mystic Lions Club charities.

(l-r) Bill Goodwin, Mystic, Rob Valenti, Pawcatuck, Dennis LaJoie, Oakdale, and Jim Rondeau, Bozrah, are ready for the first hole at the Mystic Lions Club 24th Annual C harity Golf Tournament at the renowned Stonington Country Club.

(l-r) Justin Robbin, Norwich and Chad Hervieux, Norwich, drive their golf cart to the next hole of the Charity Golf Tournament.

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Octagon celebrates community, farmers, local food and farmland preservation.

The first in a three part series Farmer’s Dinner will be held on June 28th at Octagon in Groton and will feature a reception, with speakers from some of the local farms, followed by a five course menu featuring locally grown produced and harvested items from this region’s best source of sustainable foods. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the CT Farmland Trust, whose sole mission is to permanently protect CT’s farmland.

June 28th, 2010
Reception at 6:00pm • Dinner at 7:00pm
$89 per person includes tax and gratuity

Passed Hors D’ oeuvres
• Sweet pea pancakes with duck  trap smoked salmon
• Johnny cakes with maple  mushroom “caviar”
• Early summer salsa and chips
• Local cheeses with condiments

Dinner Menu
1st Course
Groton Family Farms soft poached egg with a spinach  salad with toasted sunflower seeds, warm Nodine juniper bacon vinaigrette

2nd Course
Seared Bomster Scallops with a bronze fennel jam and spiced potatoes

3rd Course
House smoked Stony Ledge Farms Cornish game hen with a Swiss chard tart and Nasturtium honey

4th Course
Roast leg of lamb from Sankow’s Beaverbrook Farm with a green garlic aioli baby arugula and paprika oil

5th Course
 Frozen goats milk parfait with basil and chocolate

Octagon is located in the Mystic Marriott and Spa at 625 North Road in Groton. For more information  and to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.octagonsteakhouse.com or call 860.326.0360

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