by Anna Trusky

Local residents Ed Adams owns Adams Garden of Eden garden center and Jeff Schneider is VP of Marketing and Sales for ASA Environmental Products, both located in Stonington. But little do many know that the mild-mannered duo have pretty flashy side careers as pyrotechnicians for the internationally famous Grucci Fireworks family! Recently they broke their third Guinness Record for World’s Largest Aerial Firework Shell by helping to build and launch a one-ton-plus firecracker on New Year’s Eve off Al Marjan Island, UAE.
More than 100,000 spectators came to see the fantastic display which, at 2,397 pounds, more than doubled the previous record of 1,024 pounds. The shell contained 390 comet stars that burst into the colors of the UAE flag—red, white, and green. It took Phil Grucci, CEO and Creative Director of Fireworks by Grucci, more than 600 hours to design the show and it required another 70,000 man-hours to build the fireworks, with a team of programmers, producers, pyrotechnicians, and documentarians all working on the project.

“I’ve been working for the Gruccis for almost 40 years and helped originate the annual fireworks over the Thames River for the Fourth of July,” Jeff explains. “Ed and I are given the shows on paper and we take it from the schematics and make it happen on the ground. We build everything on site, get the shells and equipment set up, and load the shells according to the schematics so the fireworks get in the air safely, on time, and coordinated to the music.”
Watching the shell go up on New Year’s Eve was quite an experience, Ed and Jeff said. “When the shell went up, it roared! It was phenomenal,” Jeff recalled. “None of us had ever seen anything so large being fired! The shell was so big our safety zone was one mile but we actually fired it from beyond the safety zone so everything was fine.”
“It was amazing and a fantastic experience,” said Ed. “To see it up in the sky, there is nothing I can compare it to. It was just so magnificent—not just to see it but to feel it in your body! It was fun to be part of the whole thing. I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years and every experience is different!”
After the record was confirmed, Phil Grucci said, “Our brief was to deliver a ‘beyond a journey’ design and to fabricate and display this amazing marvel in fireworks. The inspiration of the design was the unique natural resources of Ras Al Khaimah and the natural beauty and expansive space of the Al Marjan Island with a sense of celebration to welcome in the New Year 2018. We pushed the boundary to clinch the Guinness World Records title for the Largest Aerial Fireworks Shell that contributes to the civic pride of Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE.”
Ed and Jeff have gone all over the world helping to delight millions of appreciative viewers with dazzling fireworks displays and they look forward to bringing the Grucci magic back to Southeastern Connecticut this July!
To see a video of the incredible New Year’s Eve display, go to: www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2018/1/2018-welcomed-with-a-bang-as-firework-shell-record-is-shattered-in-dazzling-displ-509210.

story & photo
by Karen Koerner

Merry and bright smiles filled the parking lot of the Groton City’s Municipal Building Dec. 2 as officers of the City of Groton Police Department joined forces with the United States Marine Corps and members of St. John’s Church of Groton to collect food, warm winter coats, and Toys for Tots. Residents began rolling through the donation area at 9 am when the drive began, and a police cruiser designated for toys was nearly full only an hour later.

“We collected nearly 1,000 individual toys and filled two-plus cruisers at the event,” stated, Chief of Police, Groton, following the drive. “We also partnered with Pastor Joseph Coleman and St. John’s Church of Groton on a coat drive. We collected nearly 100 used coats, scarves, gloves and mittens.” Residents also donated non-perishable food, filling a pickup truck full for the United Way Gemma Moran Food Pantry.
Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick dropped by and was happy with early progress. “This is tremendous,” he said. “It’s all about community. It’s got to be.”
A steady stream of Groton City residents were happy to give. “My husband said, ‘don’t bring them back home,’” laughed Johanna Maynard, as she dropped off bags of afghans, winter scarves, toys and food donations. “Take the bag, too,” she said of a tote that held her donations.
Pastor Joseph and some of his parishioners arrived to help, loaded with donations themselves. “This is a neighborhood thing. This is an important event,” he said. As donors arrived, Chief Michael pointed out the relationships that were making the drive a success.

“We’re big on community policing here, and we try to stay involved,” Michael said. The USMC Toys for Tots drive was represented by Marine Sgt. Timothy Dallas. The Marine said collected toys will be distributed to area non-profits that help families with children who have a hard time creating a happy Christmas.
Rounding out the volunteers were Groton City Police Cadets, volunteering under the supervision of Officer Trish Lieteau, Cadet Advisor. Volunteers and donors were full of the Holiday Spirit. Chief Michael was pleased with the first year’s effort. “Our agency wishes all very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year 2018,” he said.

story & photos
by Eva Bunnel

On Pier 17 of the Naval Submarine Base New London, more than 200 family members and friends wore smiles as bright as the late November afternoon sun that warmed the day to unseasonably warm temperatures as they welcomed to homeport, the 132 crew members of the USS Toledo.
On November 29th, the USS Toledo and its crew of 15 Officers and 117 enlisted Sailors, came home after a six-month, “European Command Area of Responsibility where they executed the Chief of the Naval Operation’s Maritime Strategy in support of the national security interests and Maritime Security Operations. During deployment the Toledo made port calls in Faslane, Scotland and Rota, Spain.”

A trio of friends Shelby Law, Kaitlyn Long, and Bridget Nelson stood together by the pier holding their handmade signs that would help welcome their sailors home. They shared their excited anticipation for the moment they would be reunited with their significant others. They were happy that, for a time, “we get to keep our guys” with them at home.
The traditional “First Kiss,” was shared by Electronic Technician 2nd Class, Jarrod Pope, his wife, Ashlie and their eight and three- year- old daughters, Abigail, and Emilia. “First Hug” honors were shared by Fire Control Technician 1st Class, James Kaler and his wife Dianna, with their nine-month old son, Jonathan.

As happy reunions were taking place on the pier, perhaps the most excited individual was Avery Estrada, who happened to be celebrating that day both the return of her father, Chief Radio Officer Alan Estrada, and her eighth birthday.
Avery stood resolutely on the pier, ahead of the crowd, waving to the submarine as it was assisted to its dock by two tugboats. As she ran to her father, it was hard to not be moved to tears hearing her happy shouts when she caught first sight of her Dad.

Cmdr. Orville Cave, has been in command of the USS Toledo, a Los Angeles Class submarine for the last seventeen months. The USS Toledo is a “nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine.” “Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities-sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.”
Clearly proud of the USS Toledo’s crew, Cmdr. Cave shared that the members of his crew were “outstanding” in the six months they were out to sea, and that “they train hard for years to be ready for deployment.” During their deployment, Cave said, “morale was always great.” However, in the days leading up to coming home, he said with a smile, “the energy level was, as one can expect, a bit higher than normal.”
The USS Toledo is “the 81st Los Angeles-class submarine and the second U.S. Navy ship to be named for the city of Toledo.”

 

story & photo
by Karen Koerner

Girls from 12 area teams dazzled a crowd with demonstrations of their jumps, tumbling moves, cheers and stunts Nov. 12 during the Southern New England Youth Cheerleading Competition held at the Waterford High School. Pyramids brought the loudest applause from the enthusiastic audience, as the girls built ever-higher pyramids in a demonstration of the strength, skill and confidence that cheer requires.
“These girls work hard,” said one parent, Ken Kelly, whose daughter Ava competed in the East Lyme junior competition. “They are real athletes.” The East Lyme Juniors brought home a fourth place trophy.

Exuberant supporters sported their team colors in each town’s section of the bleachers. They shouted encouragement to their favorite team, and the entire crowd cheered as each team performed a two-and-a-half minute routine designed to demonstrate their skills in partner stunts, pyramids, jumps, tumbling, motions, dance, and voices.
Teams are organized from the towns of East Lyme, Griswold, Groton/Mystic, Ledyard, Montville, New London, Norwich, Plainfield, Stonington, Waterford, Westerly, and Windham. Girls in first through eighth grade compete in four divisions, Mini for girls aged eight and under, Micro for those 10 and under, Junior for 12 and under, and Senior for those 14 and under. Large and small squads compete separately, said Michelle Canty, Cheerleading President for the Southern New England Youth Football Conference (SNEYFC), which organizes the competition. SNEYFC is funded and coordinated by participating towns to provide football for boys and cheer for girls.

“We start in August and we end in November,” Michelle said. All directors and coaches are volunteers, and the emphasis is on safety and sportsmanship as the girls also train for skills, strength, and the teamwork necessary to build themselves into pyramids, toss and catch each other, and to cheer their football teams. The annual Cheer Competition is the culmination of the season. “This is a fun event for the girls,” Michelle said. “They work very hard in rain and cold with football. This is a day for them to show off everything they’ve learned.”
Trophies were awarded for the top four places in each division. First place winners that day were: Mini Division Small Champion, New London; Mini Division Large Champion, Groton/Mystic; Micro Division Small Champion, Montville; Micro Division Large Champion, Groton/Mystic; Junior Division Small Champion, Stonington; Junior Division Large Champion, Groton/Mystic; Senior Division Small Champion, Montville; and Senior Division Large Champion, Griswold.

by Karen Koerner

In the middle of the commercialized Christmas season, residents of Salem can pause to celebrate a “Silent Night, Holy Night,” thanks to the commitment of retired dairy farmers Stu and Judy Gadbois. The couple organizes a living nativity and carol sing in their barn each year, and they invite area residents to join them. The free event will begin at 5 pm Sunday, Dec. 17 at Maegog Farm, at the corner of Highway 82 and routes 354 and 82 in Salem.
“I started it for my grandkids because I wanted them to know Christmas is more than shopping at the mall,” Judy said. She is planning the 28th living nativity now, with her family and with help from neighbors and her church, the Congregational Church of Salem. Members of the Salem Volunteer Fire Department also help. Stu and Judy’s granddaughter, Rachel Crafton, and her husband, Casey Crafton, will portray Mary and Joseph this year, and their infant son, Knox, gets the honor of being Baby Jesus.

Guests are invited to sit on bales of hay in the barn to enjoy the presentation. Members of the Gadbois family read the Christmas story while family members or neighbors portray shepherds, the three kings, and angels. Music is part of the presentation, as family members sing and play some carols, and all attendees join in other familiar carols. The Congregational Church Choir also sings a selection. The family’s great-grandchildren contribute to the evening by singing “Away in the Manger.” The evening ends with hot cider and cupcakes. “It’s Jesus’s birthday cake,” Judy said.
Judy laughed at the memory of the first year the family held the nativity. “The very first year we were going to do it, my aunts thought no one would show up.” Even that first year, 200 people enjoyed the presentation. Stu and Judy have three children, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, and all enjoy the annual tradition.
The Maegog Farm Living Nativity will go on rain or shine, Judy said. “Even if it’s our family singing carols, we’ll do it,” she said.