According to a U.S. Census, more than 19,000 people in SE CT are living below the poverty level. At the United Way Kick-off, Gemma E. Moran, founder, Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, shares the good news with Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, “Last year, The Food Center distributed more than 1.7 million pounds of food through more than 90 free food programs which in turn helped provide meals and snacks, at no cost, to those in need throughout New London County.”
This year, a dynamic team, MPTN Chairman Rodney Butler and Melodie Peters, first vice president American Federation of Teachers Connecticut, are heading up our United Way campaign and the approach is very expansive. What’s that mean?
Unlike prior years, with the dollar goal continuously increasing, the 2010 goal is to increase the number of participants. So, whether you can give a million or a dollar, Rodney and Melodie want you to join the team and give what you can. Ask Haley Hinton, Junior Miss Ledyard, how it’s done – Haley contributed 90 hours of UW volunteer work this past summer and now, she says, “I want to get the word out more and start a fundraiser in my school.” More on page 5.
The Arc of New London County opened a general store and bakery at 52 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton. Founded in 1952, by parents of persons intellectually challenged, Arc teaches life skills. Be sure to visit the store for a bite to eat. There are some goodies baking in the ovens right now on page 13.
Resident friend, David Preka, owner, Advanced Improvements, officially opened new digs in downtown Mystic, next door to Chelsea Groton and across the street from Mystic Pizza. Stop by and say hello on page 4.
Finally, a Salute to our World War II Veterans joined by three Korean War Vets on page 20. Meet them as they prepared for a trip to their Memorial in DC. Let’s put our hands together for Chris Coutu and his AmericanWarrior Team Members. They’re doing an outrageously good thing by making these visits possible!
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(l-r) Town of Groton Mayor Jim Streeter, Duncan Stoddard, President & CEO, Chelsea Groton Bank, Pat Kenny, General Supervisor, Advanced Improvements, Barbara Strother, Economic Development Specialist, Town of Groton, David Preka, Owner/President, Advanced Improvements, Tricia Cunningham, President, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Altin Gjoni, Project Supervisor, Advanced Improvements, and Tony Sheridan, President, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, celebrate the Grand Opening of Advanced Improvement’s new location, 61 West Main Street, Mystic, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 14th.
Susan Hardesty and Larry Policastro convinced me to try the Pita Spot’s LaLa Chicken - grilled chicken wrapped in a pita with a dollop of homemade garlic sauce. Yum!
Here is a bit of trivia: How many restaurants can fit on Cottrell Street in Mystic? The answer is over 30 on the three-day-weekend of the Taste of Mystic: September 10th, 11th and 12th! This year’s Taste of Mystic, presented by Levine Distributing, sold a record-breaking number of tickets since the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce began managing the event seven years ago!!! WOW!
As I drifted into the sea of people on Cottrell Street, I thought for a second, “What recession?!? Look at all of these people!” I then realized that for a substantially lower price than eating out, “tastes” from some of our area’s premier dining destinations were consolidated on one street, all showcasing their signature dishes! Representatives from these local eateries came out and worked the stands, greeting hungry foodies, face-to-face, bringing the kitchen to the street; the ‘back of the house,’ front and center!
Armed with a camera and a sheet of tickets, what more could a food-obsessed local ask for? I actually planned to give my tickets away, as I was following a strict dietary program. However, when the sights, sounds and smells of the food wafted my way, all bets were off. Don’t tell anyone!
(l-r) Pizza is the common denominator for these two proud Greek American restaurant owners: John Zelepos, Mystic Pizza, and John Longinidis, Angie’s Pizza and Pier 27.
First stop, Thai Jasmine for chicken on a skewer. It seems as though everything tastes better on a stick, and this is no exception – caramelized from the grill on the outside and moist inside! The line was over five people deep at all times. No wonder Thai Jasmine was voted Most Popular!
After the rave reviews given by Susan Hardesty and Larry Policastro, I felt that I had to know what made the Pita Spot’s LaLa Chicken such a “cock-a-doodle-DO!” The exotic beauties working the stand would not divulge the exact recipe, but the chicken was blended with herbs and the pita had a dollop of their homemade garlic sauce. I will be returning to their shop on Route 1 to further ponder the ingredients!
Over the weekend, prizes in nine categories were given to the restaurants: Best Decorated went to Buford’s Restaurant, Best New Participant was Latitude 41, Thai Jasmine took Most Popular, Best Dessert went to Alta Strada (gelato – yum!) and Best Team Spirit went to Captain Daniel Packer Inne. Otter Cover Restaurant won Most Creative Taste (with their inventive Tuna Nachos!). The People’s Choice or Best Taste went Captain Daniel Packer Inne for their portobello mushrooms and beef tenderloin tips with creamy gorganzola and port wine demi.
On Saturday evening, the Mystic Highland Pipe Band marched down the street, in a special memorial presentation for 9/11. Throughout the weekend, crowds were treated to special performances from karate troupes, K-9 police demonstrations, belly dancing and live music by The Cartells, HighTimes, Flowers and Kain and Mind Body and Soul in the beer tent.
The United Way of SECT (UWSECT) kicked-off their Fall Fundraising Campaign at their Gales Ferry office on Friday, September 17 with a turn-out of nearly 200 supporters – pretty good for 7:30 a.m. on a drizzly morning!
Donning “Live United” t-shirts, co-chairs Melodie Peters, First Vice President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) CT, and Rodney Butler, Chairman, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, announced the new and wildly different campaign goal for 2010-2011: Bring 2! “It’s not a typical campaign,” explained Melodie. “Virginia Mason, the new president [and CEO] of UWSECT, turned this all around. She told us to think outside the box. It’s a new age.”
Now, what exactly does “Bring 2” mean and how does that translate to a campaign goal? The idea is for every act of support to be doubled. So, bring 2 volunteers, bring 2 new ideas, bring 2 new speakers to area schools, bring 2 new pledges, bring 2 new donors – whatever you can do to help out, bring 2 with you. “We need a grassroots approach that encourages the community to not only continue to give to United Way, but to ask our donors to advocate on United Way’s behalf,” explains Melodie.
The goal is not a dollar amount but to increase volunteers and donations. “If we increase participation, we can all ‘Live United,’” says Rodney.
“Southeastern CT protects its own,” said Melodie. “I am so proud to be a member of this community. We stick together. If we can increase our base of donations, we can show this community is stronger and is sticking together through thick and thin.”
Not only is the Bring 2 campaign new for this year, but it is the first time in the history of United Way of SECT’s campaigns to have co-chairs. “I couldn’t have been matched with a better co-chair,” said Melodie. “Rodney comes from the corporate world and I come from labor.”
The money raised from the United Way’s campaign is used to give funding to partner agencies in our community, the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center and Day of Caring projects.
The Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center distributes over 1,700,000 pounds of food annually to 92 program sites at no cost to those in need. For every $5 donated, the center can provide 18 meals to our neighbors in need! Established in 1988, Gemma E. Moran, founding director, helped United Way and local labor unions join together to create the food bank that bears her name.
The Day of Caring is a traditional United Way volunteer event that kicks off their annual campaign every September, but UWSECT’s Day of Caring program is unique in that it offers year-round service with nearly 50 projects annually.
