StoneRidge woodworking club makes miniature wooden village

In time for the holiday season, members of the StoneRidge Woodworking Club designed and constructed a five-building miniature Nordic village, which is on display on the community green.

“It was a wonderful team project during a challenging time when it was needed and appreciated most by those who created it and by those residents and staff to whom it was given,” Charlie Schott, who came up with the idea with fellow resident Ron Hunter in October, said in a release.

The project was completed over the course of a month, from construction to illumination and decoration, including hand-painted faux stained glass windows, to bring the village to life.

“The shop members really rallied around, and it turned out to be an excellent learning and bonding experience.” Hunter, who had helped upgrade the wood shop, said. “It has provided a ‘ray of sunshine’ in an otherwise dreary COVID-dominated year.”

Resident Cynthia Barrett, who led the painting crew, said teamwork was critical to get the project done, and she hopes to add more buildings in the future to grow the village.

The full team included Schott, Hunter, Barrett, Joe Benson, Ed Sauers, Scott Taylor, Dan Barrett, Anna Cardinali, Ruth Chandler, Sally Phillips, Mike Pettengill and Jean Hunter.

Stonington scout completes Silver Award project

Olivia Head, a freshman at Stonington High School and member of Girl Scout Troop 840, has completed a series of inspirational posters as part of her Silver Award project. The Silver Award is the highest achievement available to Girl Scouts in grades 6-8, and project deadlines were extended through Dec. 31 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Starting in October 2019, Head developed a "Creating Positive Spaces" project to improve school community morale. The project, a series of inspirational posters and community-building activities, was intended for Stonington Middle School, but with the school closing in the spring as a result of the pandemic, she was unable to complete the project there. Over the summer, she partnered with St. Michael School in Pawcatuck.

Seven inspirational posters were installed in the girls' and boys' bathrooms at St. Michael in November, and students participated in a month of self-reflection and gratitude-based activities created by Head to improve relationship skills.

Saint Bernard student named to all-national choir

Lindsey Reilly, a junior at Saint Bernard School and resident of Colchester, was selected for the National Association for Music Education's All-National Honor Ensembles Mixed Choir. She is one of 30 second sopranos selected from around the U.S. to participate in the 230-person choir and the only resident of southeastern Connecticut to be named to an All-National Honor Ensemble this year.

"It's crazy to think that I will be singing with some of the best high school singers in the country," Reilly said in a release. "This is such an honor."

Students who are selected for the honor ensembles first comete at the local, regional and state levels to be eligible for the national groups. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year's competitions were held virtually, with students submitting audition videos and performing with their ensembles via Zoom.

Mitchell College students receive inaugural George Floyd Scholarships

Mitchell College has recognized four students with the inaugural George Floyd Scholarship in honor of their leadership and commitment to social change. Emil Cortorreal of New London, Dylan Radovich of Groton, Stephanie Zavala of Norwalk, and Desmond Knowles of Indianapolis each received a $2,500 scholarship.

The four students, who plan to pursue careers in criminal justice and social work, were nominated by faculty for their contributions in the classroom and community. Trustees Peggy Flood and Luci Arango sponsored the scholarship, which was established this year in memory of George Floyd to support juniors and seniors of color studying in the college's human services core.

"Mitchell College celebrates diversity, fosters inclusion and promotes empathy. The George Floyd Scholarship aligns with these values, awarding these students for contributing to this culture on campus and aspiring to connect with their communities in an impactful way in their lives after college," Tracy Y. Espy, president of Mitchell College, said in a release.

Ron Bates named to NAC board of directors

In a virtual meeting, Norwich resident Ron Bates was named to the Norwich Arts Center's board of directors for a two-year term. He joins president Kris Nickerson, vice president Faye Ringel, treasure Thom Keaney, secretary Patricia LaPierre, Carol Dunn, MaryKay Kelleher, Susan Scott Kenney, Susan Masse, Mike Van Vlaenderen, Roberta Vincent and board member emeritus Peter Leibert.

Bates is the founder and producer of NAC's Blues on Broadway series, which he first presented in 2018. The monthly event, currently on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, was part of Bates' goal to grow blues programming at NAC and make it a center for the genre in Connecticut. He also serves on the program planning committee and the music planning subcommittee, where he is the chair.

Outside of NAC, Bates has worked as a computer consultant and Realtor, serving on committees and boards with the regional and state associations.

NAC, an all-volunteer organization, is accepting additional board applications from arts-minded community members as well as legal and financial advisors. For more information, visit norwicharts.org.

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