Acting Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribe, Tony Orlando and Maynard Strickland, Tribal Elder
Tony Orland stops for a photo op with Resident reporter, Angela Olsen, after being inducted into the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame on September 11. Tony is the 21st artist to receive this prestigious award.
Loyal fans were camped-out on September 11 in The Shops Concourse at the Mohegan Sun Casino anxiously awaiting and determined to capture a glimpse of the legendary Tony Orlando. There were men and women of all ages, clearly die-hard enthusiasts, toting albums from the 1970’s, posters and photos of the guest of honor. Tony was selected to join the ranks of several elite entertainers with his own star on the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame in front of the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Acting Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Mohegan Tribal Council, and Maynard Strickland, Tribal Elder, reflected upon once seeing Tony in Las Vegas, joking that he forgot to “knock three times” to get his attention! The crowd went wild with excitement! Then, through the sea of devotees, came the legend himself, Tony Orlando. He quickly became the 21st star, upon whom this prestigious honor was bestowed.
Tony was humbled, and beyond gracious as he accepted his award, and even bent down to the ground to kiss his star on the walk! Don’t tell the people of Las Vegas, but he ranks The Mohegan Sun, its employees and management as the best! “Mohegan Sun has been the most beautiful, finest and wonderful place to work in show business!” A high compliment when one ponders the length of Tony’s career as an entertainer and the number of venues he played over the decades.
Tony Orlando attained ‘superstar status’ after he formed the group Dawn with Thelma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson. Fans to this day still love classics such as, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon [Round the Ole Oak Tree]” and of course the celebrated “Knock Three Times!”
Yet, in light of all of this success, Tony took the time to personally address the majority of devotees, giving hugs, posing for photos, signing their memorabilia and sharing sweet words with a small child who suffers from a number of health problems. It is this loyalty, and respect for one’s dedicated fans, which sustain a celebrity’s star power!
(l-r) High above New London, artist Terry “Davo” Davis and Tony Silvestri, project manager, New London Harbour Towers, reveal the new mural on the DDLC Energy tank.
On Sunday, September 12, an intimate group of residents gathered on Bank Street in downtown New London, anxiously anticipating the big reveal of “What’s under the curtain?” The wind was howling. Yet, the blustery conditions could not thwart the plan to, at last, draw back the blue curtain, and show onlookers another magnificent work of art by New London’s own Terry “Davo” Davis! As Winston Churchill said, “Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”
Guests were invited to gather at noon to tour the new condos in New London Harbour Towers. From the fourth-floor recreation deck, onlookers watched as Tony Silvestri, project manager, New London Harbor Towers, and Davo rose, despite the gust, in the bucket of a giant man-lift, several stories to the top of the giant oil tank facing Bank Street. This mural is part of the ongoing revitalization of the lovely and historic waterfront in New London, and was commissioned by New London Harbor Towers and DDLC Energy.
Davo is no stranger to publicity, as his previous work, also located on Bank Street, on the Hygenic Building, sparked a media and publicity frenzy!
James Stidfole, Hygenic Arts, recalled how one small opinion piece, written by a person offended by the depiction of a woman’s decolletage, eventually landed the mural on major networks such as CNN! Said James, “There is no such thing as bad publicity!”
The blue curtain dropped, and the air filled with applause as the new mural, replete with Ol’ Glory, the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, and Davo’s trademark Grecian columns made its debut. An interesting tidbit is that the mural is a massive, tank-sized reproduction of the original drawing! This contribution marks yet another positive step forward in the revitalization of the Whaling City
(l-r) The hardworking kitchen crew, Debbie Rosen, Pamela Romagna, Rick McGrath,Beth Miezejeski, Amy Lewis, Francisco Mariano, Delci McGrath, Bob Bergdoll, Ann Edwards, Sheryl Lambert and Karrie Mattia, dish out pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausages at the September 18th Pancake Breakfast at St. John’s Catholic Church, Uncasville. The Breakfast benefits Guy and Karen O’Brien who lost their house to fire August 14th.
The Parish Hall at St. John’s Catholic Church, Uncasville, is filling up fast this morning, September 18, as friends and neighbors of Guy and Karen O’Brien come streaming in through the doors. About a dozen hardworking kitchen crew members are cooking the breakfast and dishing up pancakes, eggs, sausages, bacon and fruit as families come through the food line. Representative Tom Reynolds and Montville Mayor Joe Jaskiewicz are on hand offering their concern and support. Tickets are being sold at the door and many busineses in town are donating their services and goods at the raffle tables. What is going on?
It all stems from the tragedy that occurred Saturday night, August 14th, in Uncasville. This is the neighborhood in which I live and what happened is unforgettable.
Around 8:30 p.m. an explosion was heard immediately followed by black smoke filling the sky just a block away from our house. Neighbors streamed out of their houses as Montville and neighboring community fire trucks screamed up the street. Flames of fire could be seen for hours as the fire companies fought the battle. Owners of the homes on either side of the burning house grabbed their garden hoses and sprayed water on their houses to prevent the spread of the fire. Thank God there was no wind that night! Otherwise…
The fire started in the kitchen. “Only my husband, Guy, was home at the time,” Karen O’Brien tells me. “We have five children. None of them were in the house at the time. Guy called me at work and told me the house was on fire!”
When all was said and done the house was gone and the dog was missing. Guy and Karen are now without a home. “We are so thankful we can live with my son and family while we wait to build a new house on the same property as the fire. It is a wonderful neighborhood and we love our friends. We want to move back.”
It is heartwarming to see so many neighbors come together to help. Amy Lewis is the neighbor organizing today’s Pancake Breakfast to benefit the O’Brien Family. “I don know them at all, but I know we need to help Guy and Karen,” Amy tells me. “ I live around the corner from their house. It was frightening to watch the fire. Many neighbors are volunteering their aid for set up, clean up, cooks and servers. Volunteers are signing up to sell tickets and hang signs.”
A fund for the O’Briens is set up at Charter Oak Federal Credit Union. Donations may be made at any branch for the O’Brien’s Fire Donation Fund. Anyone needing more information may call Amy Lewis at 860.625.6035.
Peter Derosa, Program Director, Montville Joshua Center, Natchaug Hospital
Yes, children can experience depression, including forms of the disease that can be life-threatening. October, National Depression Month, reminds us that depression is a treatable illness affecting nearly 10% of the adult population in the United States, plus 12% of the adolescents and 3% of young children, including pre-schoolers.
Depression can lead to suicide, which is the fifth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 5 to 14 years age, and the third leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 24. The rate of suicide for those ages 10 to 14 has doubled in the past 20 years.
Depression can range from mild to severe, the mildest being sad feelings in response to a sad situation. This is normal. Parents should assure children that sadness or depression is nothing to be ashamed of while not minimizing their feelings: what may be an insignificant issue for an adult, may be a major issue for a child.
If depressive symptoms persist, say several months, then it may be a form of depression called dysthymia. If the symptoms interfere with daily functioning, such as school or friends, professional counseling may help. Outpatient counseling is usually the first choice and only if this is unsuccessful will other options, such as medication, be considered. Clinical depression, a physical disease that is more serious, responds well to treatment. A combination of medications and “talk therapy” assures the best chance for recovery from serious depression.
Children who take medications must be monitored closely. Sometimes several different medications need to be tried before finding the most effective one, and the best dosage. Unfortunately, it may take 2-6 weeks before an improvement is noticed. Medicines such as St. John’s Wort have been used to treat depression in adults but their effectiveness in children has not been adequately studied and there is no evidence that these therapies are safe for use by children. St. John’s Wort can also interfere with other medicines, including antidepressants.
In summary, depression may be mild, moderate or severe, determined by how intrusive and persistent the symptoms are. Do not be afraid to ask for help and remember, the earlier the intervention, the greater the chance for a full recovery.
Natchaug Hospital, quietly helping people recover from mental illness for the past 50 years, provides treatment at 10 sites in Eastern Connecticut. For more information, visit www.natchaug.org, or call 860.456.1311
Sincerely, Peter Derosa
Program Director
Montville Joshua Center, Natchaug Hospital
