PEOPLE

Attorney Andrea A. Geyer and Attorney Kathleen M. Flynn and have joined the law firm of Mueller Greene. Geyer, a native of Ledyard, is admitted to the Connecticut bar and the Federal District Court of Connecticut. She practices in the areas of Landlord/Tenant, Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Defense. Flynn, a resident of Pawcatuck, is admitted to the Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts bars as well as the Federal District Court of Rhode Island. She practices in the areas of Personal Injury, Collections, Litigation and Family Law. Mueller Greene, located at 300 State St., Suite 209, New London, and can be reachedat 860-442-2252.

Liz Burton has joined High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. as Chief Development Officer. She has over 20 years of experience in diverse professional environments, nonprofit leadership and strategic relationship engagement. High Hopes is a therapeutic riding center and international instructor-training site, accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) since 1979. For more information, visit www.highhopestr.org.

Brandy Hapgood has been promoted to district executive for Centreville Bank and Junio "Junior" Ortega has joined the bank as a district executive. Hapgood, who has worked in banking for some 27 years, joined Centreville Bank in 2011 and was most recently a branch manager. She lives in Plainfield. Ortega is responsible for overseeing nine branches throughout Rhode Island and Connecticut and managing the day-to-day operations. His career in the banking industry spans some 16 years. He lives in Woonsocket, R.I. For more information, visit www.centrevillebank.com.

Yvette Small of Norwich was elected to the Norwich Arts Center's Board of Directors for a 2-year term during a recent meeting. A resident of Norwichtown, she retired this year from Foxwoods Resort Casino as a Senior Retail Luxury Buyer. She also worked in Norwich for 14 years at Chelsea Outfitters as a Store Manager and Buyer. Small has been involved in volunteer roles with the Rose Arts Festival and Norwich Arts Center.  For more information, visit www.norwicharts.org/be-a-volunteer.

WORKSHOPS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, SECT Cultural Coalition and SeCTER will hold a free webinar on Jan. 20 on how to best utilize CORE, the region's one-stop directory listing for events, activities and professional development opportunities happening in eastern Connecticut. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/eventsor at 860-701-9113.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host its first Business After Hours of 2022 on Jan. 26 at Mystic Luxury Cinemas, featuring networking and a movie. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/eventsor at 860-701-9113.

SCORE will host:

"FORWARD," sponsored by KirkpatrickPrice, presented by Maria Miranda, Creative Director of Miranda Creative, Wednesday, Jan. 19, noon-1:30 p.m.,  Zoom.

"Website Planning 101," Jessica Baldwin, co-founder of Cardsetter, Tuesday, Jan. 25, noon-1:30 p.m., Zoom.

"Developing Your Marketing Playbook (or 5 Thrifty Marketing Plays for Small Businesses)," Sarah Blecher, Thursday, Feb. 3, 10-11:30 a.m., Zoom.

"Small Business Loans: Issues and Options," Chelsea Groton Bank, Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, Small Business Administration, and Community Investment Corporation, Thursday, Feb. 10, noon-1:30 p.m., Zoom.

For more information, contact Anne Driscoll at anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

GIVING

The Bowerbird has selected as the recipient of the proceeds from their 2022 gift-wrap program Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden. LOLFSG is a non-profit volunteer organization with a goal of providing fresh produce to reduce food insecurity and support healthy nutrition to local families in Lyme, Old Lyme and surrounding communities. The Bowerbird donation program runs through Oct. 31.

The Bowerbird in Old Lyme recently wrapped up their 2021 gift-wrapping campaign to raise funds for Safe Futures based in New London.  A check in the amount of $3,058 was presented representing 2,597 packages wrapped. The Bowerbird charges a nominal fee for gift-wrapping purchases and donates 50% to local non-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.thebowerbird.com.

Ocean State Job Lot's "Buy, Give, Get" program has resulted in the collection of 47,500 winter coats, an increase of 5,500 coats over the 2020 program, to be donated to veterans in need this winter. From late October through the end of the year, the "Buy, Give, Get" program encouraged customers to buy a men's or women's winter coat for $40 and give it back to the store for donation to a veteran. In appreciation of the donation, customers get a $40 Crazy Deal Gift Card.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation has awarded $12,500 in grants to nine local organizations dedicated to healthcare and social services. The grants were announced by Michael Alberts, President of Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation. United Community & Family Services received a $5,000 grant and Day Kimball Hospital received a $1,000 grant. Also receiving $1,000 grants were Jolly John's Keep You Truckin' Fund, Plainfield Recreation Department grant, Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) Senior Nutrition Program, Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group, Northeast Placement Services, and Westcott Wilcox Elderly Residential Housing Inc. In addition, a $500 grant was awarded to Griswold PRIDE. For more information, visit www.JCSBank.com.

HONORS

Chelsea Groton Bank has earned the "Best of Bauer Bank" status from BauerFinancial, Inc. This distinction is reserved solely for institutions that have earned Bauer's highest (5-Star) rating consistently for at least 25 consecutive years. This is the 111th consecutive quarter that Chelsea Groton Bank has earned a 5-Star rating. For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com and www.bauerfinancial.com.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT welcomes its newest members: ACE Handyman Service of Hartford & New London; Southeastern Mental Health Authority; Great Neck Country Club; and High Tide Capital.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce has welcomed new membes: Advanced Window Systems, LLC; Grass and Bone; Green Planet Films, Inc.; HJ Smith Inc.; Just Mystic; Legends in Concert; Nanas Bakery and Pizza; Milestone Mortgage Solutions; My Screen Print Guy; Mystic Oysters Co.; Mystic Massage LLC; Mystic Transportation Limited; Pot of Green; Power Posse Productions LLC; Robert Boris Ventures; Salon Golden; SLR Energy – Smaran Shrestha; Southeastern Connecticut Cleaning Company; The Barn; Whalers Brewing Company; Wood River Health Services. If you are interested in joining The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, call Morgan Yandow, Membership Manager, at (860) 572-9578, email at morgan@mysticchamber.org.

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