The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s “Leadership Eastern Connecticut” program graduation was celebrated on July 18 at Ocean Beach Park’s Port N’ Starboard banquet hall. he 29 graduates of the Class of 2023 were joined by guests, past recipients, and employers who showed their support as they received their certificates on the stage.

In operation since 1987, The Chamber’s Leadership Program prepares promising leaders for positions of responsibility by acquainting them with significant community processes and pressing issues.

The program began with opening remarks from Tony Sheridan, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, followed by keynote speaker Anthony Anthony, newly appointed as Chief Marketing Officer with the state of Connecticut.

The graduates were: Daniel Adams, Adams Wealth Management; Phylicia Adams, Stonington Housing Authority; Andrea Barron, Dime Bank; Krissa Beene, Chelsea Groton Bank; Toni Berlandy. Eversource; Justine Deluca, Reliance Health Inc.; Deb Denfeld, Fuss & O'Neill; Dan Desrochers, Foxwoods Resort Casino; Darlene Goldstein, Garvey, Steele & Bancroft LLP; Heshima Harris, Foxwoods Resort Casino; Peter Hoey, Mohegan Tribe; Margaret Job, CMEEC; Andrew Lavigne, Connecticut Port Authority; Liz LeGary, UCFS Healthcare; Molly Martony, Mystic Aquarium.

Also, Brandon McIntyre, Foxwoods Resort Casino; Cynthia Palmer, Dime Bank; Annah Perch, New London Homeless Hospitality Center; Jennifer Rowland, Dominion Energy; Eric Savery, Dominion Energy; Rebecca Shea, Mystic Seaport Museum; Cassie Shewbridge, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union; Liz Tullo, Pat Munger Construction Company; Carolina Valencia, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union; Kyle Verrette, CorePlus Federal Credit Union; John Vincent, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union; Karen Walters, Pfizer; Marielle Winkelman, Chelsea Groton Bank; Joe Zuzel, Hartford Health Care

PEOPLE & PLACES

UCFS Healthcare will be celebrating National Health Center Week on Thursday, Aug. 10, by giving away free backpacks from 1-3 p.m. at its Norwich Health Center, 47 Town St., Norwich. Backpacks are compliments of Coreplus Credit Union. The Bookmobile will be on site, and each child will receive a free book. An Amber Alert presentation will be courtesy of Rotary Club of Norwich and fun activities are offered by Norwich Youth & Recreation Services.For more information, call Pam Kinder at 860-822-4146.

This fall, Mitchell College is launching a Professional Studies undergraduate “Completer Degree” program for adult learners as part of its efforts to expand options for “nontraditional” college students to achieve their education and career goals. Designed exclusively for adult students with some college credit, the accelerated program offers both a 2-year (A.A.) and a 4-year (B.A.) degree.

Full-time (two courses per term) and part-time (one course per term) options are available. At launch, courses will be offered in a hybrid curriculum combining afternoon/evening in-person classes with online classes, but the goal of the program is to offer 100% online learning in the near future.

To learn more, visit: mitchell.edu/academic-programs/professional-studies/.

Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce president Bruce Flax penned the forward of local real estate agent Bridget Morrissey’s new book, "Nautical Tales and Nature Trails," praising it as "a well-deserved acknowledgment to the different organizations and enterprises that thrive in the Greater Mystic region."

The book guides you through the towns of Mystic, Stonington, Groton, Noank, Pawcatuck, Westerly, New London, Ledyard, Gales Ferry, Waterford, East Lyme, Niantic, Old Lyme, Norwich, Westerly and Charlestown, R.I.

From the rich nautical history of Mystic Seaport to the verdant walking paths of the state and town parks, Morrissey covers the region's best and lesser-known points of interest. The book also highlights the region's vibrant business scene, including the marine conservation efforts at Mystic Aquarium, the gaming and entertainment hub of Foxwoods Resort Casino, and maritime history at Mystic Seaport Museum.

"Nautical Tales and Nature Trails: Recreation in Southeastern Connecticut and Southern Rhode Island" is now available for purchase at local bookstores and online.

Haley Brennan of New London has been awarded a fellowship worth $8,500 by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Brennan is one of 62 recipients nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Brennan received a dual bachelor's degree in environmental health; spirituality, culture and health from the University of Connecticut. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, Brennan will pursue a dual Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

This fall the Montville High School Drama Club will be showcasing the work of University of Connecticut and Montville High School graduate Holly Richmond. "Chamber,“ Holly’s new play, is a coming of age drama/comedy that explores the expectations and societal pressures put on high school students and how they react when their values are challenged by their families and peers.

"Chamber” was first developed at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center through the National Theatre Institute program and later further developed for production as her senior project for the University of Connecticut. Starting at the end of August, Holly will be in Solo, Indonesia, learning the art of designing, building, and performing Wayang Kulit shadow puppetry with other selected international students as a part of the Darmasiswa Scholarship program, which is run through the Indonesian Ministries of Culture and Education.

The Bill Memorial Library has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for the month of August.

The Bill Memorial Library was selected as the August beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Stop & Shop in Groton. The library will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at this location during August, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

Charity & Fundraising

On Sunday, July 30, beginning at 1 p.m., local families are invited to visit their nearest Wireless Zone store to pick up a backpack full of supplies, such as pencils, paper, a pencil box, folders, a ruler and glue. Backpacks are first come, first serve, and any extras will be donated to a local school. You can find a nearby Wireless Zone Backpack Giveaway event by visiting https://shop.wirelesszone.com utilizing the “Backpack Giveaway” filter.

Chamber events

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will hold four upcoming events:

Business After Hours at The Spa at Norwich Inn, Wednesday Aug 2, from 5-7 at 607 West Thames St., Norwich. Chamber member: $15; non-member, $25.

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening at The Golden Owl, Thursday Aug 3, 3-4 p.m., 19 Golden St, New London, free and open to the public. The event at New London’s newest bookstore will feature refreshments and live music.

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening at Su & Sa, Tuesday Aug. 8, 2-3 p.m., 45 Bank St, New London, free and open to the public. Restaurant features sushi and build your own salads for lunch and dinner.

Young Professionals of Eastern CT 'YPsocial' at Project Oceanology Thursday, Aug. 31, 5 to 7 p.m. Non-YPECT members, $15.

Scam alert

Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo is warning Connecticut employers and residents of an uptick in unemployment benefits fraud due to identity theft. Connecticut’s unemployment system is currently receiving several thousand claims per day; CTDOL suspects around 75% are fraudulent and is withholding payment.

If an employer receives a notification for an employee who still works for the company, it is an identity theft red flag. Employers should respond quickly to these notices, and the victim of ID theft should report this on the CTDOL Identity Theft Report form and with local law enforcement.

Residents should also report identity theft to CTDOL if they receive a monetary determination letter or a 1099 tax form from CTDOL but have not filed for unemployment benefits.

CTDOL’s Fraud Watch webpage has comprehensive information on preventing, reporting, and recovering from fraud and identity theft. Additionally, information for employers is found on the ReEmployCT employer page.

Funding award

CONNSTEP, the Connecticut Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, has announced that it has received a funding award to support the creation of a database for the Connecticut Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network program.

This is a two-year program with a goal to improve the resiliency of supply chain companies with less than 500 employees.

For more information about the program, contact CONNSTEP’s project manager Jack Tubridy at jtubridy@connstep.org.