The Lady Falcons donated books, toys, clothes, money, and a Christmas tree to the Shafman Family, who helped out when devastation hit the Hillman Family years ago. (l-r) back row: Aubrey Latham, Arielle Cooper, Brittany Duclos, Stacy Pouliot, Marisa Evans, Kathryn Pochal, Devyn Ryan, Emily Story, Amanda Haluga, Tawnie Hespeler, Kayley Ackley, Jenna Emerson. front row: Avery Clark, Bryanna Britt, Nene Tenety, Lindsay Edwards, Aunisha Dillon, Alivia Royal, Tashara Elliot, Haley Cooper, Brooke Startz, Erin Bridgman.
Capano Family Redefines Fresh in ShopRite Stores
In an interview with the Resident, Ken Capano Sr., owner, ShopRite New London and Norwich, explains, “The defining difference between our food stores and our competitors is a fresher, larger produce and meat department.”
Dime Bank Hosts Volunteer Drive for Norwich’s 350th
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. (l-r) Bill Nash, Semiseptcentennial Executive Board, Sarah Matthews, Dime Bank, Evelyn Bessette, Chairperson, Semiseptcentennial Committee, and Norwich Mayor Benjamin Lathrop with a Norwich Celebrations poster.
Crowds of foodies and wine lovers streamed into the Mohegan Sun Casino’s Convention Center on January 17th and 18th for the Grand Tasting during Sun WineFest ‘09. Mary Ann Esposito, chef and host of America’s longest running cooking show, “Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito ™” on PBS, signs her cookbook, “Ciao Italia Slow and Easy.”
Local Women in Biz Attend
Barack Obama’s Inauguration
On January 20, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America – the first African-American ever to hold the office of U.S. Commander-in-Chief. Barbara Stillman, Westerly businesswoman, explains, “I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Barack Obama inauguration. The experience was incredible. It was surreal to be standing amongst a couple of million people, all gathered for the same reason, and all sharing in the same energy and optimism for our country. Despite the freezing temperatures and large crowds, there were no complaints. There were no incidents or arrests. It was a moment in time where millions joined together in hope.” (l-r) Barbara Stillman and Lisa Konicki, president, Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
February 18, 2009
Bankers on Main Street
As part of the Resident’s Financial District series featuring local bank presidents, Duncan Stoddard, President, Chelsea Groton Bank since 2000, discussed the economy with Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident. “There was a period of time, particularly between September and November, when almost everyone I ran into was asking, ‘I’m sure Chelsea Groton is doing fine, right?’” said Duncan. “I knew it was a question and not a statement. And of course, I did more than reassure them. Not only are we doing fine, but we are having a really good year.”
Baseball Rivals Unite for Cancer Fundraiser
On Friday, February 6th at Mohegan Sun Casino, Yankees pitcher Rich “Goose” Gossage, former Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, and Yankees left-handed pitcher Ron “Gator” Guidry were just a few baseball legends who spoke The CT Sports Foundation Against Cancer Dinner and Auction.
Eastern CT State University Black History Month Events
Eastern CT State University students learned about Black History Month through events scheduled on back-to-back nights: a re-creation of the legendary Lincoln-Douglas debates took place on February 9, followed, the next evening, by a storytelling session with Professor Raouf Mama.
(l-r) Mystic VFW Post 3263 members Dan Quirk, Commander John Hartley, Ed Mitchell, post chaplain, and Bill Lewis present a $1,000 donation to Family Readiness Group members Karen Royce, secretary, Nicole Garofolo, Jacquelyn Deschamps and Julie Hinson, whose relatives are National Guardsmen attached to the 1109th AVCRAD in Groton.
Groton Lions Receive Awards
(l-r) Groton Lions, Bill Foreman, Waterford, and Hugh Casey, Mystic, were honored at a benefit on Saturday, February 21 at the Groton Inn and Suites, for exemplary service to LCIF and their local community over the years.
Grand Opening of Putnam Bank’s Gales Ferry Branch
(l-r) Lisa Balter, Branch Manager, Putnam Bank, Mayor Fred Allen, Ledyard, Tom Reynolds, CT State Representative, Tony Sheridan, President, Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Borner, Chairman & CEO, Putnam Bank, Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones, President, Three Rivers Community College, Office Tom Olsen, Ledyard and Bob Halloran, President, Putnam Bank, hold the blue, money-covered ribbon at a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Putnam Bank branch in Gales Ferry on February 25.
March 18, 2009
Brown Jacobson Grand Opening
(l-r) Karl-Erik Sternlof, director, Brown Jacobson, Jeffrey R. Godley, director, Brown Jacobson, Tony Sheridan, president, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, and John F. Duggan, director, Brown Jacobson, celebrated the grand opening of the new Brown Jacobson, P.C. office in Groton on March 3rd.
CorePlus Donates to Backus
Breast Cancer Awareness Fund
(l-r) Keith Fontaine, VP of Corporate Communications, The William W. Backus Hospital, Lee McLallen, Associate Director of Annual Giving, Backus, Gen Schies, Director of Planned Giving, Backus, Donna Palumbo, co-chair, Breast Cancer Survivor Committee, Warren Scholl, CEO, CorePlus Federal Credit Union, Barbara Chiangi, co-chair, Breast Cancer Survivor Committee, and David Whitehead, VP of Planning, Backus celebrate CorePlus’s donation to the Backus Breast Cancer Awareness Fund on March 4th.
Local Media Discuss Change
Members of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT enjoyed an afternoon at The Day as part of the Chamber’s Leadership Program, Thursday, March 12th. Part of the experience featured a panel of media reps discussing the changes and challenges of media today. (l-r) The speakers included Tony Cronin, business editor, The Day, the Resident’s very own, Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, Kirk Varner, VP and director of news, WTNH and MyTV9, and Harriet Jones, business reporter, WNPR (not pictured).
(l-r) Kevin O’Connor, manager, Jaime Williams, associate, Stephanie Binkoski, associate, and Jimmy Doukas, owner, celebrate the opening of the Equinox Diner, Mystic, on March 17th. The minute Jimmy opened the doors, hungry locals and travelers poured in and continue to fill the booths at this exciting 21st century diner ever since.
6th Annual Mystic Irish Parade
On Sunday March 22nd, the 6th Annual Mystic St. Patrick’s Parade kicked off at 1:00 PM sharp. Over 100 marching units, 22 marching bands, and 12 pipe bands performed along the parade route from Mystic Seaport Museum to the Mystic Art Association. The Grand Marshal this year was Edward Murphy, a local resident and businessman well known throughout the community.
ShopRite Partners in Caring
(l-r) ShopRite of New London team members Jo Ann Primett, florist, and Nicki Jennings, Assistant Store Director, point to their photos on these limited edition boxes of Cheerios unveiled on March 26th. The two women were among the ShopRite associates honored on 125,000 limited-edition Cheerios boxes for their store’s commitment to fighting hunger in their local community through the ShopRite Partners In Caring program.
April 15, 2009
Tommy John Speaks at Groton Inn & Suites
Tommy John, former MLB southpaw pitcher, spoke during the CT Dugout Club’s monthly event at the Groton Inn and Suites on March 30th.
UConn Women Are NCAA Champions
On April 7th, the Uconn Women’s Basketball team won the NCAA Championship Title at the Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO. The Huskies defeated the Louisville Cardinals 76-54, to win a sixth national title and finish undefeated for the third time since Geno Auriemma took over the Storrs program in 1985.
Arc of New London’s Transition Center Revealed
On April 7, The Arc of New London County and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT held a ribbon cutting for the Arc’s newly renovated Employment Transition Center. Kim Blair, Director of Employment, was a key individual involved in the project of the Employment Transition Center.
April 29, 2009
Financier on Main Street
As part of the Resident’s ongoing Financial District column, Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, spoke with Warren P. Scholl, CEO, CorePlus Federal Credit Union, about the difference between credit unions and banks. Warren explains, “CorePlus is a federally chartered, member owned, not for profit cooperative. We are a not for profit, not for charity, but for service Credit Union.”
Bill Pere on Cheerios Box
(l-r) Bill and Kay Pere were honored by ShopRite Partners In Caring in a special ceremony at the ShopRite of New London on April 22nd. Bill, Mystic songwriter and founder of LUNCH, is featured on the front panel of a limited-edition Cheerios box for helping to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger in our local community.
Historic Ledyard Oak Replanted
Sprigs & Twigs Landscaping, LLC planted a new tree in honor of the historic Ledyard Oak on Earth Day, April 22nd. The original Ledyard Oak, estimated to be 400 years old, reaching 80 feet tall with a 21 inch circumference – the largest White Oak in CT – died in 1969 due to gypsy moth infestation. The new tree, located next to the old one, is on the property of the Nathan Lester Home on Vinegar Hill Road, Ledyard which has hiking paths and gardens that are open to the public seasonally.
On April 25, hundreds of people from all over southeastern CT and RI gathered at Donahue Park to witness thousands of yellow rubber ducks get dumped into the Pawcatuck River for the 11th Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race.
Citizen of the Year Honored
On May 5, family, friends and colleagues gathered at MGM Grand, Foxwoods to celebrate by honoring Angela V. Arnold as the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s 59th Annual Citizen of the Year. Angela is well known throughout the community as a person who does not say “no” to anything.
May 27, 2009
SoundMusic: The Music is Back at Harkness!
“Five years ago the music at Harkness was silenced,” said John Waller, president, SoundMusic, in a press conference on May 13 at the Harkness Mansion, Waterford. “I stand here to say, the magic is back!”(l-r) Peter Smith, Production Manager, Denny Hicks, 1st Season Ticketholder, Ron Loomis, Volunteer, Frank Bombaci Jr, Lyme-Old Lyme HS Senior, Tom Rolfe,Volunteer, Marcella Wagner, President, Friends of Harkness, Susan Gorra, Director of Development, Elizabeth Falk, Board Member, Norton Wheeler, Vice President, Martin Piecuch, Music Director & Conductor, Margot Johnstone, Development Assistant, John Waller, President, Katie Shuck, Secretary, Gail Stevens, Executive Director, Ron Plebicito, Board Member, Ron Murray, Musician
US Coast Guard Academy Graduation
(l-r) Distinguished graduate, Matthew Evan Elyer, Mystic, keynote speaker, Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, and Matthew’s father, Capt. David Elyer (ret.), Navy, during the Coast Guard Academy’s 128th commencement ceremony on May 20th.
January 21, 2009
