by: Anna Marie Trusky

Cheyenne Holliday thought there were a lot of students who were much more

deserving than she of a Connecticut Association of Public

School Superintendents (CAPSS) award.

That sincere modesty is just another quality that makes Cheyenne such a

terrific young person!

The CAPSS award is given to two eighth-grade students at Ledyard

Middle School each year for exemplary scholarship, leadership, and

community service. The students are selected by their teachers and

guidance counselors. Cheyenne was presented with her award certifi cate

by guidance counselor Patty Pollin at the December 7th meeting of the

Ledyard Board of Education.

Patty said that Cheyenne is a standout among many remarkable

students at Ledyard Middle School. “Cheyenne is aware of people around

her in a way that many of us aren’t. When she asks you how you are, she

really wants to know what’s going on with you. Her offers to help come

naturally,” Patty explained. “She is the first to volunteer and ask, ‘Can I help

you?”

When asked by a reporter about the ways in which she helps people,

Cheyenne demurred; “It’s just the right thing to do,” she said matter-of-factly.

According to Patty, Cheyenne looks out for others without being asked, helps her teachers, and

patiently works with other students who need extra time to understand

challenging concepts. She also enthusiastically assists her family with

an annual brunch sponsored by her Grandfather Glenn Dean’s business,

Coogan-Gildersleeve Appliances, to benefit the Mystic Area Shelter and

Hospitality (MASH), an organization that assists people who are homeless or in danger of losing their homes.

Cheyenne cooks up eggs as people bid on silent auction items; In 2011 the

event raised $4,000 for MASH.

In addition to being kind and service-minded, Cheyenne is a

dedicated student. “She is usually working on four books at a time. She

reads Shakespeare and has academic discussions with her teachers just for

the love of learning,” Patty said.

Cheyenne recalls, “During Hurricane Irene, when the power went

out, a lot of kids said they were bored, but I studied algebra to get prepared

for my AP algebra class, read a book, and worked on graphic designs.” Her

talent for computer graphics earned Cheyenne an invitation to work on

the school newspaper—another activity to which she gives her all,

often working on her own time. She has also worked on graphic design for

the LMS food drive, and created a poster for the school’s Toys for Tots

program. A member of the student council, she is currently working on a

coin drive for David’s Place.

In addition to considering a career in graphic design, the everinquisitive

Cheyenne is interested in a wide array of subjects, including

psychology, criminology, and law. “Cheyenne is interested in her future

and has many ideas about what she is working toward. With Cheyenne, it is

never about her, but about the bigger picture,” said Patty.

“If you pay attention and want to learn, school can be extremely fun,”

Cheyenne said. No wonder all her teachers agree that she is, as Patty said,

“an awesome role model”!

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Waterford Hotel Group announced the promotion of Chuck Moran to Regional Hotel Director. Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm with offices in Waterford, CT, professionally manages 27 properties in nine states, representing more than 3,600 hotel rooms nationwide, as well as the Connecticut Convention Center.

As Regional Hotel Director, Moran is responsible for overseeing the operations of several Waterford Hotel Group properties. His duties include developing and maintaining relationships with ownership and franchise partners, budgeting, fostering associate development, sustaining high guest satisfaction scores, maintaining Waterford and brand service standards, and overseeing the overall performance of the hotels. Moran’s efforts will be directed toward several of Waterford’s select service hotels, providing support and direction to the hotel teams at each location.

“Chuck has enjoyed great success during his tenure with Waterford,” commented Rob Winchester, President and COO of Waterford Hotel Group. “He has brought multi-faceted experience and proven leadership skills to our regional team, and we are certain that he will excel in his new role as well,” he added.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality and food and beverage industry, Moran joined the Waterford Hotel Group team in 1999 serving in various hospitality management capacities, including General Manager of Octagon Restaurant at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, CT, and General Manager of both the Courtyard by Marriott in Norwich, CT and the Holiday Inn in New London, CT. Moran joins the Waterford Hotel Group corporate team from his most recent position as General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell, CT.

Moran has held positions on numerous committees and tourism organizations in Connecticut. He has been a board member of the Connecticut Lodging Association since 2004, holding the position of President from 2008-2010. He has been a member of the Eastern Connecticut Tourism Board since 2005, and presently serves as their Legislative Chairman. Moran is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America located in Hyde Park, NY, with an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Studies. He currently resides in Salem, CT.

About Waterford Hotel Group
Waterford Hotel Group has experience operating virtually every type of hotel property, including select service properties, all-suite hotels, conference centers, and large full service and resort properties. The company’s approach to hotel development and operations is hands-on, and features frequent site visits and constant communication with customers and partners. Additionally, Waterford Hotel Group offers centralized accounting, financial reporting, strategic marketing, human resources, and day-to-day operations management systems to increase market share and profitability at all properties. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.waterfordhotelgroup.com.

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(l-r) First Selectman Paul Formica, East Lyme, poses with the Niantic Community Church Chili Cook-off Winners: Chris Bono, Best Overall, Christine Bono, Best Non-Beef, Charity Kennedy, Best Vegitarian, Evan King, “Paul’s Choice Chili,” Paul Formica and Don Foster, Second Place Overall.

Niantic Community Church announces winners of its 3rd Annual Chili Cook-Off held on October 16. With 16 entries guests had a tough job trying to discern the best of the best. During the two hour tasting period folks were entertained by emcee Chris Deveau who did a fabulous job stirring up the competition and a little laughter as chili lovers perused one crock after another of the spicy culinary delight. John Wood’s endless acoustic and vocal talent kept everyone in great spirits and East Lyme’s First Selectman Paul Formica graced the crowd with his poised, political presence.

Ultimately, the Selectman was slated to choose a “Paul’s Choice Chili” and 12 year old Evan King of East Lyme was the proud recipient of the title with his, “Some Like It Hot & Some Like It Not” chili. Winner in the Best Vegetarian category was Charity Kennedy, standing in for chef Christy Hammond representing the Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut with their “Vintage 70’s Vegan Chili.” Christine Bono of Gales Ferry reigned supreme in the Best Non-Beef category with her Chicken Chili and Don Foster from Post Road Market, East Lyme, took Second Place Overall with his Italian Chili. Savouring the very best for last, was Christine Bono’s husband Chris, winning Best Overall with his St. Louis Chili.

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David Yarnold, president, Audubon Society, and B. Holt Thrasher, chairman, Audubon Society, presented Donal O’Brien with the prestigious Audubon Award on October 2 in Greenwich.

The National Audubon Society named Donal O’Brien as the 51st recipient of its prestigious Audubon Medal, in recognition of his dedication to advancing conservation on a global scale for five decades.

A giant of conservation, Donal served in leadership roles in numerous organizations, including 25 years on the Board of the National Audubon Society, 15 of them as Chairman.  In this role he was largely responsible for introducing a globally significant conservation initiative to the Western hemisphere: the Important Bird Area program.  To date, 2,500 places across the United States, encompassing more than 300 million acres, have been identified as vital to bird survival.

“Few Americans have contributed as much to conservation as Donal O’Brien,” said B. Holt Thrasher, Audubon Chairman.  “He not only introduced critical new conservation initiatives to the western hemisphere, he also provided some of the steadiest and inspired leadership that Audubon ever had.”

Donal’s reach and influence within the conservation community is legend.  In CT, he was appointed as Chairman of the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality by three governors, and also served as Commissioner of the CT State Board of Fisheries and Game.  Elsewhere, he served as Chairman of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, former Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Nature Conservancy, and Former President of the International Council for Bird Preservation.

“Before joining Audubon I learned much about the huge role that Donal O’Brien played in increasing its reach and influence across the US.  I was even more amazed at how he managed so many responsibilities so well,” said David Yarnold, Audubon President.

Donal managed his conservation duties while leading a career as partner at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in New York City.  He was chief legal counsel to the Rockefeller Family & Associates, and President of the Rockefeller Trust Company.

Previous winners of the Audubon medal include Robert Redford, E. O Wilson, Roger Tory Peterson, Ted Turner, William Conway, Rachel Carson, Walt Disney, Stewart Udall, Julie Packard and Richard Louv.

Donal was honored at a dinner October 2 in Greenwich.

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United Community & Family Services (UCFS) selects Mrs. Jacqueline Owens, President, Norwich Branch NAACP as the recipient of the 2010 Palmer Davies Leadership Award.

United Community & Family Services (UCFS) proudly honors Mrs. Jacqueline Owens with the 5th Annual Palmer Davies Leadership award for her passion and dedication in meeting the needs of the community. Jacqueline is a true collaborator and promotes a sense of spirit in all of her endeavors. 2007 Palmer Davies recipient, Bev Goulet stated, “Jackie walks softly but carries a big stick.”

More than 100 years ago, 1876 to be exact, Fannie Palmer and Emily Davies walked across the Norwichtown Green one afternoon and discussed the development of an association that would relieve all forms of suffering. Their idea was the foundation for what is today, United Community & Family Services. Four years ago, UCFS created an award to recognize individuals in the community who have fostered an environment of community spirit and understanding that reflects the mission and organization’s values, much in the same way that Palmer and Davies first envisioned their idea more than a century ago.

UCFS will recognize Jacqueline Owens at their Annual Meeting, October 28th at 5:00 pm at Three Rivers Community College, multi-purpose room. To attend our annual meeting, please contact Pamela Allen Kinder at 860.822.4146 or pkinder@ucfs.org.

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