Lots of fun, learning and achieving are some of our back-to-school sparks featured in this issue.  First, mark your calendars for two great food festivals coming up…The Taste of Mystic is on the weekend of September 5-8th.  This year’s Taste is sponsored by Mohegan Sun.  The event is bigger than ever this year, promising more restaurants and diverse entertainment for the entire family.  Don’t miss it.  See you on Cottrell Street, downtown Mystic, rain or shine!

The 17th annual Taste of Italy… Norwich Style will be held on September 6th, at the Howard T. Brown Park on the Norwich waterfront.  A huge turnout is expected.  All your favorite Italian dishes will be provided by 16 of the area’s finest restaurants.  Enjoy the food and entertainment all day long from 10 am until 9 pm.  Fireworks over the Harbor will be the grand finale at 9 pm.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation recently celebrated the 22nd Anniversary of High Stakes Bingo at Foxwoods.  This game is where the games began and Tribal member Michael Holder, VP Bingo Operations, was there helping to make it happen from Day Two.  Meet the Bingo Team Foursome on page 11.

Another achievement.  Mayor Ben Lathrop, Norwich, presented Marcy Vitagliano, owner, Morning Glories Floral Designs and Pottery, with the Rose City Renaissance 2008 Bring Back the Bustle Award.  Other honorees include:  Robert Oickle, executive director, YMCA of SE CT, Joseph Manfredi, owner, Billy Wilson’s Ageing Still and Richard and Joyce Morrison, owners, The Ice Cream Shop.  Hats off on page 6.

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by Alexis Ann

First, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Since opening on August 11, 1998, the Museum hosted nearly two million visitors who toured its permanent and special exhibits, attended performances and presentations of Native American culture, and made use of its two libraries-one devoted to children. Upwards of 380,000 schools children and their teachers have taken advantage of special educational programs and tours designed by the Museum’s staff. Celebration on pages 10-11.

Winners of the 51st Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival are on page 7. Mystic Chamber of Commerce, hosted this wonderful event and leaders Tricia Cunningham and Alexa Shelton say, “It was a huge success!”

How about this one…Westerly Yacht Club celebrates 80 years of social and boating fun! It all began in 1927 on the steps of the Westerly Post Office. In a chance meeting, Geoffrey Moore and the late Sydney Alling laid the groundwork for the club. Happy Anniversary on page 23.

Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news” happen.

by Alexis Ann

It was a joyous occasion for Joe Pennell and Gina Fontaine, owners of Pennell’s Auto Center, Uncasville, when they tied the knot during the Grand Opening ceremony of their new location.  Two birds.  One stone on page 11.

More unforgettable moments, also on page 11, happened when the U.S. Navy’s NR-1, research submarine returned home from its final deployment.  NR-1, built by our own Electric Boat, Groton, served the Navy for 40 years.  Welcome home!

Mystic YMCA celebrated its 5th Anniversary with music, fun, hotdogs, kettle corn and more….The celebration marks Mystic Community Center’s merger with the Westerly-Pawcatuck and Arcadia branches on July 25, 2003, forming Ocean Community YMCA.  Catch the digital moment on page 6.

It was an unforgettable moment when the USS Nautilus (SSN 571) became the first ship to cross the North Pole, August 3, 1958.  Retired Navy Commander Al Charette told the story at the Submarine Force Library and Museum as part the celebration festivities for the Golden Anniversary of the “Nautilus 90 North”.  Share in the adventure on page 4.

Meet Melissa Dearborn on page 5 and learn about her memorable moment of receiving a grant for her brainchild, Use Another Word Program.  Melissa is a 5th/6th grade teacher at the Integrated Day Charter School, Norwich.  Congrats!

Wayne Richard moved his Mystic barbershop to 15 Holmes Street.  What a fun party and ribbon cutting ceremony.  Catch the moment on page 8.

Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news”  happen.

Community spirit makes the town! And, that’s what the Universal Store, in Noank Village is known for since its opening in 1947 when Pat Quaratella and Dan Simonelli bought the property. Today, son, Frank Quaratella, Sr., and his son, Frank Jr., do a superb job of running a Mom & Pop grocery store and deli. Hats off to Steve Jones, new owner of the property, not to be confused with buying the business. Get the scoop on page 4 and make sure to visit Frank’s old-fashioned meat department. It’s worth the trip!

The 6th Annual MASH Auction & Chef Competition was a smashing event held at pristine Enders Island. It was a beautiful evening enjoyed by ALL who attended. Of course, the best thing besides the winners of the cook-off, Jamie Fowler, Noah’s, Stonington and Kevin Rogers, Ledyard teacher and Bravo Bravo Bartender, was the cool $40,000 raised. Monies will benefit local homeless families and children. Catch the community spirit on page 8.

The American Legion Veterans Housing, Inc., held a kick-off fundraiser dinner in Griswold, last week for a $5M project to assist Homeless veterans. Plans are to rehabilitate the American Legion Hall building to create affordable permanent housing for vets in need. Let’s put our hands together for the anonymous donor who donating the first $20,000 on page 10.

The Resident Newspaper participated in the 30th Annual Groton Fourth of July Parade and what fun we had! We were lucky enough to march behind Remember the Heroes Band and in front of the Wayne’s Barber Shop Crew…it was rock’n and laugh’n all the way! pages 6-7.

Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news” happen.

First, let’s put our hands together for the Essex Fire Department celebrating 175 years!!  Fire Departments from all over New England and even one from Essex, England came to the celebration on page 4.

Mystic Summer Sounds Concert Series is in full swing this summer of 2008.  See your friends from the Noank-Mystic Community Band during their June 24th performance in the Mystic River Park, on page 4.  And, Mystic Women’s Club 2008 Officers are also on page 4 with Coast Guard Captain David S. Brimblecom receiving the Legion of Merit Medal.

Wow!  Your friends at Chelsea Groton Bank presented a cool $13,000 check to the Peachtree Fire Victims Fund, on page 10.

Welcome home, Jeremy Powers, pro cyclist.  Native of Niantic, that’s where Jeremy began his biking passion.  Jeremy competed in the first Whaling City Cyclone Bicycle Race at FT Trumbull.  Meet him on page 10.

On June 26, 2008, Governor Rell officially proclaimed Billy Joel Day in the State of Connecticut.  That day also marked the birthday for the other boss in my life…my dad, Alex and the big tenth anniversary for Mohegan Chairman Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum and his wife, Kelly Lamy.

Thanks for reading the Resident, the Good News that Rocks! Please remember to patronize our advertisers as they’re helping to make the “good news”  happen.