Mitchell College has announced four new full-time faculty members for the academic year 2023-2024: Dr. Timothy Daty, assistant professor of criminal justice; Christy Dukehart, visiting assistant professor of sport management; Dr. Richard W. Sanders, associate professor of chemistry; and Michael H. Stoner, visiting instructor of communication.

Daty holds an undergraduate degree in business management from Quinnipiac University, a master’s in higher education policy from George Washington University, and a doctorate in criminal justice from the University of New Haven. Daty has taught widely in criminal justice at the University of New Haven and the University of Rhode Island and has an interest in social justice, criminal justice pedagogy, and applied research.

Dukehart teaches sport management and has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Belmont University in Nashville, where she played softball. She also holds a master’s in accounting and an MBA from Northeastern University. She has also been the owner and CEO of Dukehart Softball Academy in Connecticut since 2013.

Sanders teaches chemistry and scientific writing. He recently retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where he has taught since 1995; he currently holds the title Professor Emeritus at the USCGA. Sanders has an undergraduate degree from the USCGA as well as a master’s and a doctorate, both in chemistry, from the University of Connecticut. He sits on the editorial board of Estuary Magazine and serves on the board of Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication in New London.

Stoner teaches communication and joins the full-time faculty as a one-year visiting instructor in communication. He has taught at the University of Colorado -Boulder. Stoner holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in media and public engagement from CU-Boulder.

Training & Education

SCORE Eastern Connecticut will be presenting a free five-webinar series “Fundamentals for Starting Your Business” beginning Oct. 10. The online Zoom series is sponsored by Berkshire Bank from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays:from Oct. 10-24.

To register, visit https://www.score.org/easternct/fundamentals-starting-your-business.

The SCORE (https://www.score.org/easternct) series will cover Customers and Competition, Competition, Pricing and Managing Money, Digital Marketing and Marketing and Sales.

Led by Anne Driscoll, Eric Munro and Arlene Saffron, the series gives participants the opportunity to learn from SCORE mentors and other entrepreneurs. To learn more email Driscoll at anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

People & Places

Lynn Anderson of Noank will be signing her new children's book, “The Flying Horses of Watch Hill Save Christmas,”from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Gallery Shop at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly during the First Friday opening reception for the “Annual All Members Exhibit.” Anderson is an ACGOW artist member, and this is her second book about the adventures of the little antique carousel horses.

The first book, “The Flying Horses of Watch Hill,” solved the mystery of where the horses go when the summer is over, and they leave the carousel building. In this companion book Anderson tells the story of how the little horses find the courage to help Santa when his reindeer come down with reindeer flu and cannot fly on Christmas Eve.

Anderson draws and paints in her studio in view of the waters of Fishers Island Sound. She is a founding member of the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, helping found the group in 1992. She was vice president of ACGOW for many years and continues to serve as corresponding secretary on the board and chair of the Memorial Fund. Anderson can be contacted atLynn@NoankArt.com.

The Thames Yacht Club in New London turns 90 years old this year. To celebrate, the club will be looking forward to a continued vision of sailing, racing, youth classes, and the original idea that the club belongs to the members.

It all began in 1932 when New London residents Seth Gross and Lewis Moody set out with two different visions for the club. Gross saw a club that was a high end, blazer wearing upscale club, while Moody saw something less pretentious -- an "everyman's club." Moody won out and became the first commodore. The club was incorporated in May 1933.

After occupying an old loft in what is now Burr's Yacht Haven, the club moved to 11 Plant St. where it established a small launch and dock where the racing activities centered. The great hurricane of 1938 was devastating to the entire town, but while moorings were swept away the club did survive this devastating event.

During World War II, the Thames River was closed to pleasure boats so the Coast Guard took over the club and made it the office of the Captain of the Port. Anti-submarine nets tended by special Navy vessels were deployed near what is now Mitchell College and antiaircraft batteries were installed along Pequot Avenue.

The club flourished in post-war New London, and in 1957 the Chowder Series came into practice, a race to Fishers Island to collect quahaugs and return for chowder after the event. While the clam digging only lasted a year, the Chowder Series continues as a fall classic every Sunday for six weeks in September and October.

In 2003, Force 5 class sail boats started racing and continue their races on Thursday night from the beach of the club. Wednesday night racing is a tradition in the club during the spring and summer. One member of the club, 92-year-old Jim Avery, has been a member of the club for 65 years.

The current commodore, Marcel Couture, reflects that, "It's a club, not a marina. Shared interest is the key to success." For more history of the club see Jim Reyburn's book “Thames Yacht Club: The first 75 Years: 1933-2008.”

Melissa Root of New London, developer of the Calmpak relaxation app, has announced during Mental Health Awareness month that several local organizations are “proactively addressing mental wellness” by adopting the technology, including the entire staff of the New London Police Department, Mitchell College for prospective students (with Calmpak Express) and Connecticut College for prospective and current students (both Calmpak and Calmpak Express), as well as the New London Homeless Hospitality Center for its staff.

Hilary Mondelci of Chester has been promoted to vice president, loan administration manager and assistant corporate secretary at Essex Savings Bank, while Rebekah Barrett of Guilford will now serve as assistant vice president, controller and assistant treasurer.

Mondelci was promoted from a previous assistant vice president position. Mondelci joined Essex Savings Bank in June 2011 as a teller, rising steadily through the ranks. Due to her outstanding leadership during the pandemic, she received the Connecticut Bankers Association’s New Leader in Banking Award in January of this year. She is a recent graduate of Post University where she earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.

Barrett previously as an accounting supervisor and assistant treasurer, starting at the bank in December 2012 as a teller. Barrett is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting. More recently, she graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management where she was recognized as a Michael J. Piette honors recipient.

Three students from Saint Bernard School spent four weeks this summer trying to help young mothers and their children with some of their most important daily needs. Eighth grader Sarah O’Donnell, ninth grader Olivia Gionet and 10th grader Anna Kate O’Donnell planned a community service project asking parishioners at Saint Agnes and Matthias churches in East Lyme to help mothers and wound up filled a full minivan and pickup truck for items donated to CareNet of New London, a nonprofit agency that supports expecting mothers and their families.

The students collected more than $2,300 to buy everything needed to give baby showers to two young women. Each shower included all of the baby essentials: a bouncer seat, activity mat, bathtub, newborn swaddler diapers, onesies, a high chair, baby monitor, an umbrella stroller, diaper bag, infant carrier, bottles, sleep sacks, and a stroller system. They plan to work with other students to expand their project next summer. For more information, contact Karen O’Donnell at 703-472-5594.

The Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force selected Connecticut’s 103rd Airlift Wing based at Bradley Air National Guard Base as one of four units to receive a squadron of eight C-130J aircraft. The new aircraft will replace the unit’s current inventory of C-130H aircraft.

The decision comes after years of advocacy by the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, Connecticut’s Adjutant General Major General Evon, and Gov. Ned Lamont, as well as over $100 million of congressional investments over the past decade to improve the infrastructure at Bradley Air National Guard Base.

“As we mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Connecticut’s ‘Flying Yankees,’ the Air Force’s basing decision announced today ensures an enduring future for Connecticut’s air guard,” U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2ndDistrict, said in a release.

Avalonia Land Conservancy has closed on its acquisition of a conservation parcel with a land donation from Dutka family members Dr. Andrew Dutka and Ann Cuyler. The primarily forested land is 6.51 acres and is contiguous with Avalonia’s current 13-tract Dutka Nature Preserve. The preserve encompasses 147.73 acres along Pachaug Pond, Dutka Drive, Cedar Lane and Bethel Road in Griswold.

Avalonia Board President Dennis S. Main noted in a release that this was the 14th tract in this area to be acquired either through bargain sales or through outright donation. He added that Pachaug Pond is the largest freshwater lake in the state east of the Connecticut River.

The land will now be protected in perpetuity. This is the fifth of several expected closings on conservation tracts by the land conservancy during 2023 and brings Avalonia’s total conserved lands to 5,038 acres.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler has been appointed to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee. The seven-member committee advises Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen and department leadership on significant matters impacting Native American communities, including the issue of dual taxation in Indian country.

“The Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee is a valued partner within Treasury,” said Lynn Malerba, treasurer of the United States, in a release. “The committee advises the Secretary of the Treasury on matters essential to the economic development on Indian lands for the public good of tribal citizens and provides detailed analysis and recommendations to the department on relevant guidance and policy.”

Butler was appointed by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Butler has testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means on how the federal tax code fails to support tribal parity, self-governance and self-determination. He was also named "Tribal Leader of the Year" by the Native American Finance Officers Association for his past work.

Chairman Butler earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Connecticut. He has been actively involved in multiple resort expansions at Foxwoods Resort Casino and is a member of the Mystic Aquarium board.

At its August meeting, United Way’s Board of Directors voted to elect Joshua W. Morris of Lyme to its board. Morris is the Chief Financial Officer of Yale New Haven Health – Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Morris has held finance positions in the healthcare industry since 2002. Currently he provides administrative oversight of Patient Access, Health Information Management, and Accounting and Financial Services at two acute care hospitals in New London and Westerly.

Three new pollinator gardens and an updated rain garden funded by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut at Three Rivers Community College will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29.

Students in classes taught by Diba Khan-Bureau have worked diligently through spring semester, May and June without credit or pay. Some worked throughout the summer for credit or co-ops.

“They do this work because they get great pleasure from it,” Khan-Bureau said in an email. “They contributed to the beauty of the campus and helped promote the importance of pollinators; birds, bees, and bats.”

Eight new agricultural businesses will be introduced at the Connecticut Building during The Big E: Hilltop Apiaries, Wholly Goat Farm, Maplewood Farm, Hyde’s Dairy, Double Trouble Acres, R Farm, Blue Hills Too, and Amazing Love. These businesses will be featured alongside nine returning favorites to showcase the diversity of the state’s agriculture sector during the annual fair that started Sept. 15.

Chamber news

Young Professionals of Eastern CT 'YPsocial' at Chapter One

Thursday Sep 28, 2023 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT | 32 W Main Street, Mystic, CT

Fees/Admission

YPECT Members: Included in annual membership (remember to log in and use your promo code)

Non-YPECT Members: $15

Join us for a night of networking in the heart of downtown Mystic at Chapter One. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres as you meet new people and catch up with peers. This event is a great opportunity to connect with regional professionals in a relaxed and casual environment, thanks to YPECT events and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. Don't forget to bring your business cards!

Join YPECT for 2023 and gain access to YPsocials for free! Learn more about YPECT and sign up today.

YPECT 2023 Sponsors: Homestead Funding Corp and Resolute Dental Partners

Young Professionals of Eastern CT 'YPsocial' at Chapter One - Sep 28, 2023 - 2 - ChamberECT