David Smith is appointed the Director of the Salvation Army theater group.
David Smith, 17, Norwich, lives and breathes theater! A recent graduate of Norwich Free Academy (NFA), David spends almost every hour of every day involved with play writing, directing and participating in his theater groups.
“My mission in life is to give teenagers a microphone, a spotlight and an audience and to provide free programs that encourage leadership and creativity. My goal is to benefit the community through art,” David tells me.
His years at NFA provided Dave with lots of theater experience. “In addtion to acting in the dramas at school,” Dave states, “This past spring I served as a general theater instructor for an after school program called A.S.P.I.R.E. This program is for the middle school youth at Kelly Middle School.”
“In August 2009, I founded the Down Stage Center Free Summer Camp at the Salvation Army in Norwich for students age nine through 18,” David continues.
“This summer I am appointed the director of the theater group which is sponsored by the Bully Busters of Norwich. Rehearsals will start up in August for a play that will be written by me and the teenagers I work with. The play will be performed Saturday night August 21 in the United Congregational Church on Broadway in Norwich.”
David started volunteering in the community when he was 12 years old and in the seventh grade. “I helped in my school’s food drives to aid the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. As my reward, I was invited to attend a speech given by Bill Clinton and sit onstage with him among other youth who helped in the relief program.”
David’s theater interest frequently take him to New York City. “I am currently the stage manager for an off-off Broadway show in NYC. It requires me to live there Monday through Wednesday the entire month of June. This is a paid job with the Emerson Theater Collaborative.”
What does David like best about doing community service?
“My favorite part of my work is that I am constantly reminded that helping others is also a way to help yourself. I was given this incredible opportunity to direct a theater group. I don’t keep the money. The money goes to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army. I get to keep the experience of directing a show at the age of 15 and 16. I get to keep these amazing friendships with fellow artists and community enthusiasts. I am doing what I want to be doing. There is no doubt of that!”
Next year? “I am going to be attending the State University of New York in the fall for their theater conservatory to obtain a BFA in theater technology with a concentration in stage management. My dream is to own and direct my own theater that emphasizes on original, collaborative scripts.”
(l-r) First Selectman Ed Haberek, Charles Brayton Holland, Jr., and Senator Andy Maynard celebrate Charlie’s 85th birthday. Ed declared July 17th Charles Brayton Holland, Jr., Day in Stonington.
A large party in honor of Charles Brayton Holland, Jr., was held on July 17 at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, Stonington. The Gift Of Rhyme by Claudia Gauches was read for his 85th Birthday celebration, commemorating his life in rhyme! The following are a few excerpts taken from Gift Of Rhyme:
The Early Years
Eighty-five years ago, on July 20th, 1925,
Charles Brayton Holland, Jr. came alive.
Charles Brayton Sr. and Alice, his wife,
Were the parents who gave him life.
The first of their children, Charles created quite a stir
Until five more Holland kids there eventually were.
Jack and Bob followed Charles, each fifteen months apart,
Then Ronnie and Carol – maybe a run on girls she’d start?
But Gerry followed Carol to become the youngest of all six,
Adding one last boy to the Holland family mix….
Charlie’s Mom learned piano from the nuns when she was young.
Classical music was her favorite, not music to be sung.
An upright Ivers and Pond piano into the house she brought
And, at age thirteen, learning to “tickle the ivories” Charlie sought.
Without formal lessons, although Ms. Healy did teach him a few,
Miraculously, Charlie played like trained pianists do.
He needed little instruction to find middle C.
Instinctively he knew just where it would be.
So “The King of Instruments” became his best friend
And Charlie played on each day for days on end….
Mom enjoyed the fact that Charlie could make the piano glow.
She loved to listen as he made the melody and harmony flow.
Though at times, her criticism could get a bit rough.
“You have a beautiful touch until you start all that crazy stuff!”… School Days
On the GI Bill, to college he was bound.
After the Air Force, college had an appealing sound.
First, Mitchell College in New London was his place
And then URI he decided to grace.
Graduating with a degree in hand,
He went off to work, still playing in a band…. Family
About this same time, romance in the air did brew
As Charlie fell in love, as lots of young men do.
A Westerly beauty, Martha Moorhouse, caught his eye
And soon they decided to give marriage a try.
Eloping was their way of starting married life
As Charlie and Martha became husband and wife…. The “All Stars”
The crème de la crème of all the places you play
Is Skipper’s Dock from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on each Sunday.
“Charlie Holland and his All Stars” is how your talent is billed.
With the sounds that you make, Stonington Harbor isn’t stilled.
Quite the contrary, and all who attend do enjoy
The musical skills you and your group employ.
We all disagree with what your Mom once said to you.
We think that crazy stuff is the best thing you do! Best Wishes
What an amazing life your eighty-five years did sow,
From the early days in Pawcatuck to here now in the Boro.
Happy Birthday, Charlie, may you have many more.
Whether you know it or not, you’re part of our local lore.
Whenever we think of you and all that you are,
Charlie Holland’s your name — you’re our local star.
May the proverbial road always rise up to meet you
And may the tricky old wind know just what to do.
Let it be generous at your back, throughout your life.
May you have few worries and personal strife.
Your family and friends have one last thing to say
We wish you always, the black and whites to play
(l-r, back row) Chelsea Groton Bank associates, Kleo Curis, Lauren Ackley, Pat Leonard, Josephine Pai, Rebecca Harms (front row) Jennifer Seuferling and Anne Ogden honor all those that are or have been serving our country. On Friday, July 2, they joined all the Waterford Banks and Credit Unions together with the Town of Waterford to wear Red,White and Blue, jeans and a special ribbon for the recent death of SSG. Edwin Rivera of Waterford. The ribbon donations went to the SSG Edwin Rivera Children’s Fund.
(l-r) Sophia Wright, 19, and Allan Selserman proudly give tours of the new ARC General Store and Bakery, 52 Sacred Heart Drive in Groton. Here you will get service with the biggest smiles imaginable and homemade blueberry muffins you will swear were made in heaven.
story & photo
by Maren Schober
Something new and wonderful opened at 52 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton, and today, I am checking it out. Walking through the door the aroma of home baked goods surrounds me and I have all I can do not to head right for the muffin counter. The fresh blueberry and orange cranberry muffins are unbelievably tantalizing.
“Hello,” Allan Selserman, manager, Arc General Store and Bakery, greets me. “Welcome to our new store. We opened May 3. Everything you see in the store is made by our Arc individuals or donated by their families and our staff members. This is Sophia Wright. She will give you a tour.”
The General Store is one large comfortable room with the bakery off to one side. The rest of the store is filled with a large variety of gift shop items. “Here is some jewelry made by us,” Sophia, age 19, points out.
I see a large inventory of beaded necklaces and bracelets. “Did you make one of these?” I ask
“I made this one,” Sophia replies and hands me a pretty bracelet. Sophia stands before me with the biggest smile on her face and it is right from her heart.
She is smiling at me with her whole being which is something I don’t experience often enough. It feels so good. I am warmed from within and return the smile. It is impossible not to like this young woman immediately.
Sophia continues the tour pointing out candles, tea cup sets, rubber stamps, tie dyed shirts, other crafts made by the Arc individuals and sweatshirts, ceramic coffee mugs and travel mugs, with the Arc logo on them.
“This week we are going to start selling Cool Beans coffee which is roasted in Hartford and distributed by Crystal Rock Water,” Allan tells me.
“What do you do in this store, Sophia?” I asked.
“I take inventory using the computer, pricing, make coffee, customer service, cashier, and I help customers.”
Allan explains, “Upstairs on the second floor is our Employment Transition Center which includes a crafts room, library, job training area, computer lab and industrial kitchen all used to teach our clients life skills so they can get jobs as cooks, cashiers and similar positions. Although my title is manager, I consider myself much more than that. I am a mentor. I help these men and women feel good about themselves, increase their self confidence, and get jobs in the community.” Allan loves what he does and it shows!
Although the home made chocolate chip and oatmeal cranberry raisin cookies are very tempting, I walk out with four muffins and one rubber stamp for my collection. All I can say is, you better get over there fast. You are in for a big treat and service with the biggest smiles you have ever seen.
The Store is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For more information call 860.449.1529.
Dodie Milardo "I passionately believe that this project has huge potential to help lots of people. My first goal is to raise one million dollars for charity."
story & photo
by Maren Schober
How many first time authors do you know who give most of their book profits to charity? Not many! Here is one. Her name is Dodie Milardo, a woman on a mission; a woman filled with zeal to help those less fortunate than herself. To listen to her is to begin to understand how much good one person can do who follows her dream on a steady path.
“My first book is a romance novel entitled Penelope’s Cruise,” Dodie shares with me. “When I came back from vacation and told my friends what happened on my vacation, they kept saying, ‘You have to write a book!’ Their words stayed with me and I decided to give it a try.”
Dodie’s readers tell her that Penelope’s Cruise is fun to read and a page turner. “While writing, I decided to spend more time volunteering,” Dodie continues. “I am so blessed and have everything I need: a wonderful husband, a great family, a nice home, clothes, food, heat in the winter. It occurred to me that I could use the book to raise money to help those who don’t have what they need. I also decided to start a company called To Give Is Divine, Ltd. It’s first fundraising is Penelope’s Cruise.”
An Oprah Show in February 2009 confirmed Dodie’s desire to help others. “The story was about tent cities cropping up all over the country because people have lost jobs and are losing their homes. I couldn’t stop crying. How on earth can people raise kids and send them to school when they live in a tent with no running water?”
Dodie strongly believes that God is guiding her in her mission to help those in need. “I passionately believe that this project has huge potential to help lots of people. My first goal is to raise one million dollars for charity.”
Recently, Dodie did a book signing to benefit High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Program, Old Lyme. “High Hopes gives horsemanship lessons to children and adults with disabilities. It was an amazing and humbling experience. These special needs kids are the happiest kids! I had the privilege of presenting winner ribbons to four riders. The feeling I got when I was able to donate 90% of the proceeds from the sale of Penelope’s Cruise during the book signing was priceless.”
Dodie is doing another book signing at an event June 22. “It is a Wine Tasting/Book Signing to benefit the Children’s Community Programs of CT. They provide a variety of services for children with special needs. The event is being held at the Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford. For tickets you can all Linda Fecteau at 203.786.6403 x127.”
To order Penelope’s Cruise or to contact Dodie, go to her website www.togiveisdivine.com.
