The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will host U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal for a business luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Holiday Inn Norwich, 10 Laura Blvd.

Blumenthal will speak about recent successes, challenges, and his priorities for the future. A Q&A period will follow.

Elected to the Senate in 2010 and reelected in 2016 and 2022, Blumenthal prioritizes consumer safety as Commerce Consumer Protection subcommittee chair. He authored the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act and serves on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Armed Services, Veterans' Affairs, and Aging Committees.

Cost is $35 for chamber members, $45 for nonmembers. For information, visit https://chamberect.com/.

People & Places

State Rep.Kathleen McCarty, R-Waterford, was among two state legislators who received Connecticut Education Association legislative awards last month for their leadership on education issues, commitment to students, active engagement with teachers, and efforts to enact legislation making an impact on Connecticut’s public education system.

McCarty, along with Jeff Currey, were cited for passing laws to improve teaching and learning.

“I am honored and humbled to receive CEA’s Legislative Champion Award,” said McCarty, who is the ranking House member on the Education Committee. “Connecticut teachers deserve respect and gratitude for their hard work and loyalty to our children.”

The Connecticut Bar Foundation has announced that Angela Schlingheyde will become its next executive director Oct. 30. A non-profit organization established in 1952, the CBF works to ensure that the state’s legal system is available to all. It is the primary funder of Connecticut’s legal services network, and a convener of attorneys across the state to address issues of access to civil justice and the future of law.

Schlingheyde brings 25 years of experience in the legal justice space advocating for access to services for people in historically marginalized communities, and particularly for those impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Most recently, Schlingheyde served as the Director of Civil Legal and Court Advocacy Services at The Center for Family Justice, a nonprofit that helps those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse.

Old Saybrook Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association. Home Watch, owned by Shawn Atkinson, is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence.

Atkinson is a graduate of the NHWA’s Home Watch Boot Camp and has earned the designation of Certified Home Watch Professional. He and wife Alyssa have been married for 28 years, and can be reached at (860) 575-9269 or at oldsaybrookhomewatch@gmail.com. Learn more at https://oldsaybrookhomewatch.com.

Luxe Detailing and Olive Oyl’s are partnering to host their first ever Cars & Coffee event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Olive Oyl’s Carry Out Cuisine, 6 Main St., Essex. All car enthusiasts are welcome, with the main parking at Olive Oyl’s and overflow on Main Street.

Luxe LLC, founded in 2021 by Connor D. Hogan, provides premium detailing services, specializing in preserving classic and enthusiast cars as well as marine needs. The company, with a new facility at 8 Colton Road in East Lyme, has prepared vehicles for Amelia Island Concours and worked as an onset detailer for Land Rover USA (www.LuxeDetailing.com).

Olive Oyl’s Carry Out Cuisine (Oliveoylscarryout.com) was established in 1991 by Kevin and Jennifer Kendall, specializing in muffins, cookies, brownies, scones, and cakes by Jennifer and Kevin’s prepared soups and seasonal salads.

Groton-New London Airport has secured nearly $3 million in federal funding to pay for the replacement of airfield lighting and signage.

The $2.9 million project is part of nearly $100 million of federal funding to be received by the Connecticut Airport Authority in fiscal year 2023.

Funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program, Transportation Security Administration funds, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Great to see federal infrastructure investments coming to Connecticut’s airports -- from Bradley to Groton-New London. This funding will be a game changer in supporting our airports’ safety, security, and operations and continuing the high-quality service the Connecticut Airport Authority provides to travelers,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District.

Comcast is expanding its Xfinity 10G Network to more than 4,200 homes and businesses in Putnam. Residents and businesses in Putnam will have access to Comcast’s full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services when the project is completed by the end of 2024.

With construction already underway in Putnam, residents and businesses can see if their neighborhood has access to Xfinity and Comcast Business services by visiting Xfinity.com/MyTown.

Comcast’s most recent expansion to Putnam is part of the company’s latest investment in Windham County, which also includes expansions to Jewett City, Killingly and Plainfield. In addition, Comcast has expanded to several areas in Connecticut, from East Lyme, New London and Waterford, to hundreds of unserved homes and businesses in Sharon and the North End of Hartford.

Dianna Crawford has joined the staff of UCFS Healthcare as the special assistant to the CEO for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This newly created position is aimed at reducing health disparities and is part of a strategic plan to accelerate changes through the development and implementation of programs, training, and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Crawford previously worked with Slalom, a leading business consulting firm, and The WorkPlace, a nonprofit agency that assists people find meaningful employment.

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is accepting applications through Oct. 16 for the 2024 National Music Theater Conference. Submissions must include 30 pages of the script, up to five demos, and the writing team’s developmental goals. Selected pieces will receive a two-week-long, writer-driven workshop in the summer of 2024. Scripts should be submitted to the online application form at https://theoneill.submittable.com/submit.

More information about the National Music Theater Conference and its application process is available at www.theoneill.org/nmtc.

Pawcatuck resident Luke Constanzo has been named a resident adviser for the 2023-2024 academic year at Western New England University. Resident advisers are a group of students selected based on their leadership, interpersonal skills, and commitment to positively influencing their peers.

Otis Library, in partnership with Liberty Bank, will host a Homebuyers Seminar from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the Library’s Community Room. Representatives from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Molly Bruno Real Estate, Liberty Bank, and Habitat for Humanity of Eastern CT will be in attendance to answer questions. Registration is preferred at www.otislibrarynorwich.org.

Awards & Grants

CorePlus Credit Union has landed on the Hartford Courant’s Top Workplaces List for the third straight year.

CPCU was one of only 32 businesses statewide — and the only financial institution — recognized in the Courant’s category for businesses with fewer than 150 employees.The Hartford Courant’s Top Workplaces program is based on an employee survey.

Jewett City Saving Bank Foundation has announced a $1,873 grant to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center in celebration of the bank’s 150th anniversary.

The grant will be used to help Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center continue its nearly four-decade mission of providing social and essential services to individuals and families. Among its services is a food pantry that provides basic food items along with diapers and pet food. The organization also provides utility assistance, referrals to government resources to help families with low-to-moderate income manage rising costs, and a full range of services and activities to seniors and veterans, regardless of income.

Business Initiatives

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has announced the launch of the WONDR NATION Responsible and Sustainable Gaming Fund.

The fund will support UConn School of Medicine faculty and graduate students in conducting research that will provide invaluable insights into effective, preventive, and responsible gaming programs. Timed with Responsible Gaming Education Month, the UConn School of Medicine is awarded a two-year grant totaling $250,000 to support its research into the best responsible gaming practices to help support non-problem play.

UConn’s research findings will also support the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming and other specialized treatment programs. WONDR NATION recently announced a Platinum Level sponsorship with CCPG and pledged to donate $300,000 per year for the next five years to support the organization’s responsible gaming efforts and reduce problem gambling.

For more information on WONDR NATION, visit wondrnation.com and linkedin.com/company/wondrnation.

United Way of Connecticut has announced the resumption of the 211 Housing Crisis Hotline as a 24-hour service, seven days a week as of Dec. 1.

The 211 CT housing team helps resolve crisis calls over the phone by helping callers to connect to emergency food or utility bill assistance as well as shelters.

Lisa Tepper Bates, president & CEO of United Way of CT/211, said the state legislature and Gov. Ned Lamont helped re-establish the free hotline with commitments in this year’s budget. For more information, visit 211CT.org.

Nonprofit News

The Mystic Aquarium Toastmasters Club will hold an open house from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Mystic Aquarium’s Milne Center.

Toastmasters International is a not-for-profit organization located in every state and over a hundred countries. The club helps builds public speaking skills, networking and leadership skills.

For more information, email President Larry Zaccaro at zaccarolarry@gmail.com.

Chamber News

Pot of Green in Pawcatuck this month celebrated its 50th year in business during an event hosted by the Greater Mystic Area Chamber of Commerce.

The small floral business is owned and operated by husband and wife team Stephen and Judy Mann. It is located at 165 S. Broad St # 1, Pawcatuck.

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