Dr. Grace Jones, president, Thames River Community College, commissioned the new book “Open,” which captures the spirit of the College.
A new book about Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) is generating excitement among staff, faculty, students and alumni.
Compiled by Emeritae Mary LaMattina, and Elaine Pelliccio, professors, TRCC, the book is an ensemble capturing the spirit of the college.
“We’re hoping the student body sees the book as part of their own experience,” said Emeritae, adding that there is much anticipation from students.
The book’s title, Open, is descriptive not only of the students and faculty, but of the newly reconstructed facilities at the Thames Valley and Mohegan campuses.
“We have natural light coming in and the facility is very open so it ties in with the title of the book,” said Elaine.
Open Hearts and Open Minds continue the theme as titles for chapters in the book. The theme was partly inspired by President Obama, who will be sent a copy of the book. Included in each book is an open invitation from Three Rivers’ President and the book’s commissioner, Dr. Grace Jones. The invitation is for “all community members to take part in the exciting experience taking place daily on our campus.”
Elaine said, “It took awhile to decide what we wanted to do.” Considerations included looking timelines and historical highlights, but it was decided to compile individual perspectives of the college from anyone who may be involved with the college. The result was a surprising reflection told through poetry by a student, an article by alumni Shawn Mawhiney, director of communications, William W. Backus Hospital, and even artwork by workers in the college’s maintenance department.
“People had different perspectives,” said Emeritae.
“I think they have captured the spirit, the essence of us, the real humanity of being as different as different can be,” said Dr. Jones.
“We’re very proud of this book,” said Jones, who believed she chose the two best candidates to oversee the project.
Elaine and Emeritae were surprised at how intensive the project was, requiring skills beyond what they used as English professors at the college. Even the stitches in the book’s binding needed their attention. “Who would think of the stitches, it was sometimes overwhelming,” said Elaine.
When the pre-published book was reviewed by a 12-year-old girl, who said the book made her want to go there to college, Elaine and Emeritae knew they had accomplished their challenge.
On November 23, the book will be available in the Three Rivers book store and in the gift shops at Backus Hospital, Norwich, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital, New London.
(l-r) Wilson Beaulieau, Colchester, and Merton Green, Eastford, will be traveling to Washington, DC, on Veteran’s Day, to visit the National Mall, with AmericanWarrior.
story and photo
by Larry Greene
Christopher Coutu contemplated the many veterans of who war that would never get a chance to see their memorial, after a 2005 visit to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
From that, AmericanWarrior was born. The non-profit group has a primary mission to send as many WWII and Korean War veterans as possible to DC each year on Veterans Day.
“I believe these heroes saved the world and we should do all that we can do to send our veterans to their Memorial before it’s too late,” said Christopher, the organization’s founder and state representative, R-Norwich, at an assembly of this year’s trip participants.
Christopher started the organization by taking on $33,000 of personal credit card debt, supplemented by $10,000 from his personal savings. Christopher, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Connecticut National Guard, said that the organization now depends on a vast array of sponsor donations amounting to $300 per veteran.
The veterans take a chartered flight and arrive at the capital to a water cannon salute. After lunching at the WWII Memorial, they visit the Korean, Air Force, SeaBee, Vietnam, Marine and Navy Memorials. At the end of the day, they return home to a hero’s welcome at Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks.
The trip is a mixture of education, elation and emotion, according to Jody Barr, trip coordinator. “On the trip back, we give the veterans letters that children have written to them,” he said.
Jack Casey, a trip organizer, heard of Christopher’s organization and decided to get involved. Jack updates a touch screen database at the WWII Memorial that holds names of many of the veterans. “Sixteen million served and there are over two million names in the database,” said Jack.
“I’m amazed at all the information at the memorial,” said Ken Fish, Groton, pointing to computer printouts of a fellow veteran and friend since childhood from back home in Maine. The 84-year-old joined the Navy and was sent overseas at the age of seventeen.
John Rose, also ex-Navy and from Groton, described his service during one of the war’s crucial turning events. “I was only 17-years-old when I hit the beach at Normandy. Luckily, the Germans were bad shots, so here I am.” He was assigned to a hospital ship and “had to make a few trips back to the beach to pick up the wounded.” He said the opening scenes of the movie “Saving Private Ryan” starring Tom Hanks, were an accurate depiction of the carnage on that day.
Donations were sent by dozens of local organizations, such as the Norwich Vets Council, New London and Groton Elks, Norwich Women’s Club, Taftville Knights of Columbus, and a number of volunteer fire departments.
You can help by volunteering, help generate funds, and/or sponsor a veteran for $300. For more information, contact Sue Ponder at AmericanWarrior, PO Box 337, 35 Main Street, Versailles, CT 06363, 860.886.1874 or warrior@americanwarrior.us.
Up until 2003, Dennis Baptiste served in the Military Police.
by Larry Greene
When Dennis Baptiste was 17-years-old, he saw the U.S. Navy as a good opportunity “to get out of town.”
The year was 1976 and, although the very unpopular Vietnam War just ended, Dennis was partly inspired to serve by a number of relatives who served in the military including his father, Edwin Baptiste, who was in the Army Air Corp during WWII.
“The reason I picked the Navy is I wanted to learn about nuclear power,” he said. This was an unusual pursuit for enlisted men and the Navy jumped at fulfilling Dennis’ request. Being on a missile-firing nuclear submarine, even during peace time, is enough to be considered a military veteran. Intense situations, like fires and floods, are always something for which Navy submarine personnel continuously train. “When it happens for real, it scares the hell out of you,” said Dennis. His submarine duty brought him to Spain, Scotland, Portugal and Jamaica. He soon became the submarine’s Engine Room Supervisor.
The military experience helped him land a job at Electric Boat, a job he’s held for 21-years.
In 1983, he went into the military Reserves but, shortly after 9/11, he was called back to active duty where he served in the Military Police until October 2003. “I loved the Military Police,” he said, “It’s the best job I ever had.”
As Chief Petty Officer stationed in Groton, he volunteered for his service to be extended. Part of job was issuing guns and live ammo to 18 and 19-year-olds just completing basic military training. Often, this was the first experience that young people had away from home and loved ones. “That was nerve wracking,” he said, “We’d ask ourselves, ‘Is there some reason this guy shouldn’t be carrying a gun?’” He ended his military police duty on a high note. “Our claim to fame: we didn’t shoot anybody else, we didn’t shoot ourselves and nobody died,” he said.
After completing his military research status in 2004, he considered pursuing a career in civilian law enforcement. He changed his mind after realizing that he would be a rookie in his mid-forties and many criminals would be half his age.
Three years ago, he joined the Taftville VFW, Post 2212 where he is now Senior Vice-Commander, a position he’s held for two years. The Taftville resident has been married for 19 years to his second wife, Lori, with whom he raised two of his children from a former marriage and two of her children from a former marriage. “All of which I’m very proud,” he adds. His son, Robert Schneider, served in Iraq at the Al Asad Airbase as a Marine helicopter mechanic working on twin blade CH46 helicopters. Robert is the Junior Vice-Commander at the Taftville VFW.
Dennis also works as Secretary of the Norwich Republican Town Committee. “My wife and I are busier than when we were raising kids,” he said.
He is considering using the GI Bill to continue his education possibly in a field such as, sociology or philosophy.
People in the City of Norwich are gearing up for some major celebrations this summer. On Saturday, January 10th, at the Dime Bank Community Room, Norwich, volunteers gathered to learn about the events planned for the Semiseptcentennial Celebrations in honor of Norwich’s 350th birthday, the festivities will feature many historic highlights. Norwich is one of America’s oldest non-indigenous communities.
Evelyn Bessette, Event Chairperson for the past three-and-a-half years, described how plans for the celebrations expanded from ten days to a five week schedule of events. “It took on a life of its own,” she said. “The more the word got out, the more other organizations volunteered to be involved.” Evelyn, was excited about the recent turnout during the volunteer drive. “I think this is a good start,” she said. “We hope to get 350 volunteers.”
Beginning June 6, the first event of the celebrations will be a re-enactment of the deed signing when colonists obtained land from the Mohegan Indians. Living plays, concerts and historic tours will be held at various locations throughout Norwich. Most events will be held in the downtown area or in the waterfront Howard T. Brown Park. Fireworks, laser shows and tall ship tours are all on the agenda.
Bernadette Grecki, co-chair for publicity, said there will be regular updates on the celebrations website at www.NorwichCT350.com. “Many of the events will be free to the public,” she said, “but there will be a charge for tours of the tall ships.”
Brigadaire General Dan McGuire (ret.) is overseeing the visit of the tall ships. “There will be a Parade of Sails on the Thames River from the Gold Star Bridge in New London to the Norwich Harbor,” he said. The ships will reflect Norwich’s post-Revolutionary War history as a world-class shipping port. “All the ships are unique and there will be classes conducted on the ships demonstrating what they do,” said Dan.
Ruth Ouimet, Norwich, was one of the dozens attending the volunteer drive. “I came here to see what opportunities there were,” she said. “I’ve always lived in the area and this is a way to learn more about the rich history this area has to offer.”
Michigan transplant, Charles Shaw, loves old homes and was volunteering to be part of the historic home tours. “I’ve always liked New England and this is a good way to be part of the community,” he said. Charles describes himself as a history buff with ancestors from southern New England.
Celebration memorabilia is being sold to help raise money to fund the events. A collectable medallion can be purchased for $10 at the Norwich Tourism Office, Backus Hospital Gift Shop, City Clerk’s Office, Otis Library and at the various events. Skateboards, sweatshirts and other items are also available. Rose City Wine is available at Town Liquor, Discount Liquors, Universal Liquors and Bean Hill Package Store.
Eric Grillo of Norwich knows being an entrepreneur is hard work, but the rewards are worth it. Eric, 28, believes the risks that go along with being an entrepreneur are worth more than just the financial benefits. “It makes life more interesting if you enjoy what you’re doing,” he said.
Eric has accumulated various artistic interests throughout his life, but finally hit upon a niche he now fully embraces; he hand-paints sneakers. In business for only two years, his work is selling nationally under the trademark, “Militant Sneaker Design.”
“I’ve always wanted to be able to support myself with my art and I’ve always loved sneakers,” he said. As a boy, Eric wished he could have more than just a couple pairs of sneakers, but that desire conflicted with the family budget. These days, he owns dozens of pairs and plans to expand his collection.
Eric’s art taps into a rapidly growing cultural phenomenon taking place in America, Japan, England and Australia. “This whole sneaker culture is bigger than it’s ever been,” he said. Sneakerheads, as sneaker fans are called, are paying a lot of money for custom “kicks.” New magazines, websites and sneaker boutiques are being launched to serve the culture. “Sneaker culture is getting more and more intense,” Eric observes. “It goes beyond comfort, it’s a whole lifestyle.”
“My work is a way for me to feed off that,” he said. “My main goal is to expand people’s consciousness of sneaker art.” Eric, also hand-paints t-shirts and sweatshirts to match a sneaker design.
Most of his customers live in the Norwich area and have come by word-of-mouth. He also has an internet presence and helps supply Milo, a sneaker boutique in San Diego. “I like people to wear my work,” he said.
For more information about Militant Sneaker Design, call 860.303.5315, or send an email to egrillo213@gmail.com.
