The Resident Nov. 29 ~ Dec. 12

 

Subaru Loves Pets and So Does the Valenti Family of Dealerships

story & photo
by Alexis Ann

(l-r) Brittany Hughes, First Vice President, Stand Up For Animals, Art Smith, Animal Control Officer, Barbara Martin, Secretary, Stand Up For Animals, Lina O’Leary, President, Stand Up For Animals, Larry Hirsch, Trustee, Bruce Morrow, General Manager, Valenti Subaru, Lucy & Noah Nicolosi, Lori DeJesus, Trustee.

This past October, as part of Subaru Loves Pets Month, Valenti Subaru, Westerly, Rhode Island, donated pet supplies including 200 stuffed toys and bandanas to Stand Up For Animals (SUFA), Westerly. Lina O’Leary, President, SUFA, was on hand to accept the generous donations as were Art Smith, Animal Control Officer, Larry Hirsch, SUFA board member and others from the SUFA team.

Bruce Morrow, General Manager, Valenti Subaru, is being licked.

Lina announced, “Relay for Life collected supplies for animals including collars, blankets, tick repellent and of course, these stuffed toys and bandanas from Valenti Subaru.” She continued, “Our community is very animal-friendly and generous.”
Bruce Morrow, General Manager, Valenti Subaru, announced when presenting the gifts, “We are a family within a family the Valenti Family of Dealerships and are honored to offer a leg-up to our furry, four-legged friends here at SUFA.”
Subaru is proud to be a long-standing partner of ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) the leading animal welfare organization in North America, to help bring pets and people together. According to Bruce, “Subaru has donated nearly $20 million to ASPCA and helped support over 1200 adoption events, helping more than 40,000 animals nationwide.”
It was an especially bright, sunny Saturday for all our furry friends at the SUFA shelter! Hats off to Valenti Subaru!

Criss Angel Kicks Off Foxwoods ‘Stuff the Bus’

by Karen Koerner

(l-r) Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council Chairman Rodney Butler, Annawon Weeden and Albert Zamora, Cultural Resources, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Jennifer Rapillio, Assistant Director Bus Marketing, Foxwoods Resort Casino, William Gonzalez, Bus Marketing Sales Manager, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Councilor Daniel Menihan Jr., and Lynn Page, Loyalty Rewards Manager, Foxwoods Resort Casino, assemble Nov. 4 at the motorcoach that soon will be stuffed with toys for local children. Daniel is speaking about the happiness the holiday gifts will bring to children who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts.

It was a magical moment in front of Foxwoods Resort Casino Nov. 4 when world-renowned illusionist Criss Angel made a $25,000 donation during the fifth annual Stuff the Bus campaign that will benefit the Tommy Toy Fund program of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The campaign continues until Dec. 11.
“We are one world, one people,” Criss told the crowd standing in front of the motorcoach that will be stuffed with toys and other gifts. “Children are all our children. I do this in honor of my beautiful son Johnny Christopher.”
Nearly a dozen excited “Loyals,” as Criss’s fans call themselves, screamed in delight when he announced his donation, and quickly collected their own contributions to put toward the Christmas charity. The group gathered from New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and even the United Kingdom. They met at Foxwoods to see Criss perform, and were ecstatic to be able to attend the kickoff with their idol.
Alice Soscia, Leadership Giving Director, United Way of SECT, said cash donations for the kickoff event totaled $26,140. Foxwoods patrons and employees also brought toys to begin the joyful process of stuffing the bus with holiday gifts. She noted that many think of Foxwoods as simply a world-class center for entertainment. “But we as a community see a whole lot more. It’s deeper and impactful and it saves and changes lives every day.”
Contributions of unwrapped toys, blankets, pajamas, jackets and diapers will be collected during the five-week campaign. Donations will be accepted at the Foxwoods Bus Terminal Bay #1 from 8am till 12am and at all Foxwoods hotel lobbies and select locations in the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods. Mario Dennis Transportation out of Seekonk Massachusetts supplies the bus for the month-long effort.

(l-r) Criss Angel, master illusionist, and Felix Rappaport, President and CEO, Foxwoods Resort Casino, enjoy listening to a welcome song by Mashantucket Pequot musicians during the kickoff of the Stuff the Bus toy and gift drive Nov. 4.

“The Stuff the Bus campaign is one of our most important charitable initiatives, and we are proud of the continued support shown by our loyal guests, team members and many of the celebrities who visit or perform at Foxwoods,” said Felix Rappaport, President & CEO,  Foxwoods Resort Casino. “In fact, this program continues to get even bigger and more successful every year, and has now brightened the holidays for more than 20,000 children and families in the region.”
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Councilor Danny Menihan recalled how the campaign grew in popularity. “The initial year we filled one (shuttle) bus,” he said. Last year, Foxwoods Stuff the Bus filled more than two motorcoaches with toys, blankets and more that are given to local children who otherwise would not receive Christmas gifts. “It does touch a lot of homes,” he said.
Lynn Page, Loyalty Rewards Manager, Foxwoods Resort Casino, was Emcee of the colorful event. She also recounted the explosion in giving over the years. “This year, what do you think?” she urged the crowd. “Can we fill up two or possibly three buses?”

The Resident Nov. 15 ~ 28

 

http://www.theresident.com/17826-2/

The Resident Oct. 18 ~ 31

 

USS Missouri Returns to Homeport

(l-r) The Monk family welcomes home their sailor, Dylan Monk who, in three weeks, will be marrying Samantha Dabek. L-r, Dennis Monk, Sarah Monk, Samantha Dabek, Dylan Monk, and Pat Monk.

story & photos
by Eva Bunnell

On the warm, sunny, afternoon of Wednesday, October 4th, family members, friends, and various Navy personnel awaited the return of the USS Missouri to its homeport at the Naval Submarine Base in New London.
Family members of the 132-member crew-15 officers and 117 enlisted sailors- could barely contain their excitement and pride. And who could blame them. Proud American military families are the backbone of the world’s most elite naval force on any water.
The USS Missouri, under the command of Cmdr. Fraser Hudson, is a fast-attack multi-mission, submarine that enables “five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities-sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.” Commissioned on July 31, 2010, the Missouri returned to its homeport after months away from its New London homeport, while “executing the Chief of the Naval Operation’s Maritime Strategy in supporting national security interests and Maritime Security Operations.” The submarine is “designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance” among many other features that help protect our country. It is “377 feet long with a beam of 34 feet.”
On Wednesday, however, what mattered most to those gathered just beyond the pier, was that the Missouri contained a most precious cargo, its officers and sailors. Pat and Dennis Monks, of East Rutherford, New Jersey, along with their daughter, Sarah, “couldn’t wait” to see and welcome home their son and Sarah’s brother, Dylan, who is a sailor on the Missouri.
Dennis Monk shared proudly that “Prior to joining the Navy, Dylan became a firefighter, just like me. When he became a firefighter, I told him he became my brother. When he joined the Navy, he became my hero.” Standing beside the family at the pier, was Dylan’s fiancé, Samantha Dabek. Adding to the excitement of the day, the family shared that in three weeks the couple will be welcoming family and friends to their wedding. It is set to take place at Yosemite National Park.
As is the custom for submarine crews returning to home port, those who are first in line for a hug and kiss are chosen by lottery. The couple chose for “First Kiss” was Kim and Anthony Rossi, Chief System Technician Submarine. The Rossi’s are from Florida and Arizona, respectively. They met, however, in Groton. Those chosen for “First Hug” were Hannah and Michael Wirth, STSC.
Watching families reunite, and listening to their shouts of joy on first seeing one another, it was hard not to be emotional. These families endure what many civilians do not-separation from one another in service to our nation’s global security. And they do so, with strength.
To the crew and families of the USS Missouri, and to all military and their families-thank you for your sacrifice and service.

Bricks and Murals Festival Unites Communities Through Art

(l-r) Caroline O’Brien, co-owner, CC O’Brien’s, Mia Byrnes, owner, Mia’s, Hannah Francis and Leah Mosier, serve fabulous food fare during the Food Stroll Sept. 14 at the Bricks and Murals Festival. Fittingly for the sports bar, CC O’Brien’s wall features the Stonington vs Westerly Football Rivalry mural.

by Karen Koerner

The Bricks and Murals Festival Sept. 13-17 on the streets and alleys of downtown Westerly, RI and Pawcatuck united communities. The 15 colorful and cultural murals that resulted from the Festival depicted the two communities in two states as one. It also reunited Walldogs from around the world who nurture traditional hand-painted sign and mural techniques.
Murals depicted historic and cultural aspects of Westerly and Pawcatuck that give the unique community its character. From a Pawcatuck River mural designed by internationally-known Walldog Anat Ronen, to illustrations of the industries, mills, trains and trolleys that connected Westerly and Pawcatuck to the world, to the rowdy and still-relevant Stonington vs Westerly High School Football Rivalry, topics resonate with residents.
Tucked in an alley next to Mel’s Downtown Creamery in Pawcatuck, the tallest of the 15 murals was coming to life Sept.14. It depicts a determined worker rebuilding after the devastating Hurricane of 1938. Lifelong Stonington resident Ann Mudge recalled the family stories of the day the killer storm appeared from nowhere and swept away the life of the grandmother she never knew.
Ann explained that her grandmother, Nellie Poutray, was enjoying Misquamicut Beach with friends Sept. 21, 1938 when the unexpected storm approached. “They were at a church picnic,” Ann related. The minister drove to the beach to see if his parishioners wanted a ride home. They said no. He drove away just before the women were swept into the ocean. “There was a tidal surge. If it hadn’t been for the tidal surge they would have got out of there,” Ann said as she watched the Walldogs paint the mural depicting the destruction of that day and reconstruction.
About 100 Walldogs participated in the Bricks and Murals Festival, a first for New England. Walldogs converge each year on towns that arrange for walls and themes. Each mural had a paid project leader who designed and directed painting of the mural by volunteer Walldogs. Cameron “Cam” Bortz, a local sign painter and long-time Walldog, coordinated the Walldogs. A committee of business and civic leaders headed by Wendy Brown, owner, Brown Group Real Estate, coordinated logistics.
Walldogs spend only a few days together each year during painting festivals, but they are a close group. What Cam calls, “my tribe.”
Westerly Council Member Jean Gaugnier worked with Cam early on to launch the Bricks and Murals Festival. Jean and Lisa Konicki, Executive Director, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, hope the murals will add one more reason for tourists to come to Westerly Pawcatuck.
Walldog Jay Robert Allen said the Walldogs felt honored to be part of the community for a short time, and to leave public art of value. “All we’re doing is holding a mirror up to you, Westerly and Pawcatuck. Look at yourselves.”

The Resident Good News Oct. 4 ~ 17

Work Vessels For Vets Annual Fund Raiser

“Hands Up for Vets” Annual Fund Raiser

Saturday, September 16, 2017

6:30pm to 11pm

Groton Long Point Casino, Clark Hall, 46 Beach Road, Groton, CT