EMPLOYMENT

Stacey Taylor has joined Dime Bank as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of their corporate branch at 290 Salem Turnpike, Norwich. Taylor, who joined the bank Aug. 7, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and growth of the corporate branch, developing new business relationships, and ensuring all staff continues to meet the high standards of customer service.

Prior to joining Dime, she was a multi-site branch manager with Citizens Bank in Montville. She lives in Uncasville. For more information visit www.dime-bank.com.

Preston resident Lauren LaBelle has been named Putnam Bank’s new Personal Banking Account Executive in the bank’s Norwich and Gales Ferry branches. She previously was a Branch Manager. She is also an Affiliate Member of the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors and a Board Member for the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.

She can be reached at 800-377-4424, ext. 7081. For more information, visit www.putnambank.com.

Christine Stahl of East Lyme and Patrick Papuga of Niantic have affiliated with the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in East Lyme. Stahl has become a sales associate after extensive experience as a project manager and analyst at major medical institutions. Papuga has been a sales associate for over 15 years and has obtained his Series 6 Financial License, and Life and Health Insurance Licenses.

Stahl can be reached at the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in East Lyme at (860) 451-6610 and Papuga at (860) 451-6603. For more information, visit www.ColdwellBankerHomes.com.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will co-host an Open House at Fields of Fire Adventure Park, 715 Noank Ledyard Road, Mystic, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Gourmet Galley Catering and Beer’d Brewing. Admission is free and open to the public with no RSVP necessary. Learn more at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113. Flat and comfortable shoes are encouraged. A rain date is Aug. 24.

WORKSHOPS

SCORE will host a workshop on "Back to Business: Digital Trends to Grow Your Online Footprint” on Tuesday, Aug. 29th, 10–11:30 a.m. at East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic. Social Media Strategist April Heavens-Woodcock will talk about trends in digital marketing and all the ways it can help your small business in the year ahead. For more information, contact Ward Feirer at wfeirer@gmail.com.

EVENTS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s annual Sea Jet Sunset Cruise and Dessert Showcase will sail on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 5-8 p.m. from Cross Sound Ferry dock, 2 Ferry St., New London. The cruise features desserts from local caterers as well as a scenic sunset tour of the Thames River and Long Island Sound. Tickets are $30 per person and include admission, lighthouse tour, desserts, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Pre-registration with payment is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted. Learn more at www.ChamberECT.com/cruise or call (860) 701-9113. The event is made possible in part from the support of the CTM Media Group.

R & W Heating Energy Solutions will host a Parking Lot Party at Core Plus, 40 Boston Post Road, Waterford on Friday, Aug. 25 from 1-3 p.m. with a Parking Lot Party. R & W will have its Energy Trailer, featuring Fujitsu Ductless Split Heat/Cool systems, high-efficiency oil and gas equipment, heat pump water heater, high-efficiency central air and information on the Energize CT Home Energy Assessment.

Owners Rick and Wanda Hatch will be on hand to answer questions along with representatives from Core Plus detailing special financing being offered for energy related upgrades.

COURSE

Registration is open for the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors Saturday program and Fall Tuesday/Thursday evening program. Saturday program will begin Sept. 12. Classes for both programs are held at the ECAR office on Route 32 in Franklin. The cost of either course is $499 and includes the textbooks.

The course is intended to prepare students for taking the licensing exam. For more information visit www.easternctrealtors.com or call Kathryn O'Leary at 860-892-2595.

OPENINGS

Express Kitchens has opened its 11th location, at 254 South Frontage Road, New London. The hours are Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CEO Max Kothari began Express Kitchens in 2002 out of his family’s hardware store. The company, headquartered in Hartford, offers free 3D design services, on-site cabinet shop, laminate countertop shop, and granite shop. For more information, call 860-471-8874 of visit www.expresskitchen.net. 

O’Reilly Auto Parts has opened at 413 Colman St., New London. A grand open celebration is being held through Aug. 29. Store Manager June French recently presented a $200 check to New London Food Pantry. Founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family, the company operates over 4,500 stores in 42 states.

The store is open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 860-772-1822visit www.oreillyauto.com.

Attorney David M. Fabricant has relocated his law office to 58 Huntington St., New London. He had practiced at 199 Broad St. since 1998. He can be reached at 860-447-0001.

GIVING  

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union will again award $100,000 in 100 days to 501(c)(3) charities by way of its Matching Gifts Program. The program will run from Aug. 14 to Nov. 22. During that time period Charter Oak will match all qualified donations made by its primary members to 501(c)(3) charities. Donations will be matched in $25 increments; each primary member has the opportunity to have their charitable donations matched up to $500.

Members wishing to take advantage of this benefit should visit www.charteroak.org/content/matching-gifts/, and should complete the Matching Gifts Request Form. New and existing members are eligible for this program. Charities that wish to promote the program should contact CharterOakMarketing@cofcu.com to obtain a promotional toolkit.

Thames River Community Service Inc. is hosting a Shop For A Cause day at A.C. Moore at 351-G North Frontage Road, New London on Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A.C. Moore will give TRCS 10 percent of the total dollars spent by shoppers who present a flier. E-mail  mayrab@trfp.org or elainee@trfp.org to receive the flier. The proceeds will help support families experiencing homelessness.

The Niantic Rotary Club Foundation is offering nonprofit organizations in New London County grants up to $1,000. Nonprofit organizations are asked to submit an application in letter form describing the specific purpose of the grant with measurable goals and outcomes, confirm the organization’s tax status, its vision or mission statement and include a budget and timetable for the project.

Applications received by Sept. 15 will be given immediate consideration. Those received after that date will be held over until March 15 for a possible second round of grant considerations. Applications should be addressed to donations committee of the Niantic Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 339, Niantic Ct 06357.

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