Ashlawn Farm Coffee in Old Saybrook, owned by Carol Adams, has just built and opened up a room adjacent to the café to serve as a fast lane for coffee.

“We named it the Snuggery, and it’s is really helping defray the pressure of our sometimes out of control long lines for coffee, which sometimes spirals around the retail section of our cafe or is way out the door,” Adams said. “This line is mostly for fast serve drip brew coffee, but we also have hot tea, cold brew, and iced tea as well as a nice but truncated assortment of pastries you’ll find in our main cafe.

The Snuggery does not include espresso, lattes, cappuccinos and other items that are made to order. There are no frappes either.

“It’s simple and fast,” Adams said. “but ... it feels cozy and warm and tavern-like.”

People & Places

The annual holiday party luncheon of the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Filomena’s Restaurant in Waterford. You do not need to be a member to attend, but advance registration is required.

The cost of the luncheon is $20 for those who register in advance. A cookie swap and gift card collection to those in need will be featured. Online payment and reservations can be made by visiting sectwomensnetwork.org/events.

The SECT Women’s Network was formed in 1976 and grew to over 140 dynamic business professionals and community members. board nember MaryLou Gannotti with questions at (860)362-0963.

Cumulus Media has promoted Holly Paras to regional vice president of Cumulus Media in Providence and New London. Paras currently serves as vice president/market manager of Cumulus Providence and adds responsibilities for Cumulus Media’s three radio stations and digital offerings in New London to her purview.

Earlier in her career, Paras was director of sales for Cumulus Providence for more than 10 years. She was previously national sales manager for WHJY, WSNE and WWBB in Providence. Paras was also an account executive for Katz Radio Group in New York City.

Cumulus Media owns and operates three radio stations in New London, including: The Wolf 102.3/WMOS-FM (Classic Rock); Q105/WQGN-FM (CHR); and 980 AM WXLM/WXLM-AM (News/Talk).

Cumulus Media owns and operates five radio stations in Providence, including: News Talk 99.7 FM – 630 AM/WPRO-AM/WEAN-FM (News/Talk); 92 Pro FM/WPRO-FM (CHR); The Score Sports Radio 790/WPRV-AM (Sports); Hot 106/WWKX-FM (Rhythmic CHR); and Lite 105/WWLI-FM (AC).

Bob’s Discount Furniture has received Furniture Today’s prestigious “Furniture Industry Leadership” award for the company’s value proposition, performance, and commitment to investing in the community.

The award was handed out at a gala dinner at the Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort in Aventura, Fla., Nov. 28-30. Each year Furniture Today recognizes two retailers at the event — one Top 100 and one smaller independent — with a Furniture Industry Leadership Award.

Bob’s Discount Furniture grew its sales 5.5% to $2.125 billion in 2022, according to Furniture Today’s estimates, moving up two spots to No. 8 on the 2023 list of Top 100 U.S. Furniture Stores.

“From its New England roots, Bob’s Discount has extended its geographical footprint into the mid-Atlantic, Midwest and far West, with a current presence in 24 states,” said Powell Slaughter, contributing editor at Furniture Today.

The Connecticut Airport Authority has announced that low-cost carrier Breeze Airways will be launching nonstop seasonal service between Bradley International Airport and Orlando International Airport. The flight will operate three times a week.

Additionally, Breeze will offer service between Bradley and John-Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif. The flight will operate five days a week as part of the airline’s BreezeThru service, which includes one stop, but passengers do not have to change planes.

Both new routes will start on May 29, with fares starting from just $59 one way using the airline’s Airbus A220 aircraft.

For more information, visit https://www.flybreeze.com.

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters will host its 2024 Environmental Summit on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Connecticut Science Center, 150 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.

The summit will feature panel discussions and informational briefings regarding critical environmental issues as legislators prepare for the 2024 General Assembly session, which opens Feb. 8.

Registration for the event is currently open online. Tickets are $50 for members and will include lunch and refreshments. Virtual live stream registration is available for all for an access fee of $20.

A limited number of complimentary tickets are available for those 25 and under. Interested sponsors may direct inquiries to Connor Yakaitis at (860) 236-5442 or connor@ctlcv.org.

Teams from six Connecticut communities, including Norwich, have been chosen for the inaugural class of Connecticut Main Street Center's new Main Street Accelerator program where participants learn and practice the nationally proven Four Point Main Street Approach and apply it to a specific challenge their community is facing.

Locally, the Norwich Community Development Corporation will coordinate a collaboration between planners and city development organizations on how to change the perception of downtown Norwich by enticing tourists through cooperative marketing and events with local groups.

Successful graduates of the program will be celebrated with a project showcase at CMSC’s annual Awards of Excellence event in June 2024.

Foundry 66 business incubator in Norwich is hosting “Educate & Motivate: A Small Business Series” starting 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at the organization’s first floor conference room at 66 Franklin St.

The series will tackle the topics that test entrepreneurs: negotiation, networking, and marketing. Learn from an expert how to overcome your ingrained mindsets, meet with other business owners, and share the joys and struggles of running your own business.

Topics will include branding, marketing, mental health and best practices. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/educate-and-motivate-small-business-series-tickets-646992039607?entityDomainId=3&secure=True.

The Dominion Energy Foundation has awarded a $3,000 grant to the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut.

The grant will be used to purchase beds for families in southeastern Connecticut that are experiencing financial hardship including, for example, victims of fire, flood, or bedbug infestations, disabled veterans, young military families, single parents, immigrants, victims of domestic abuse, people with mental health problems, the elderly, and the formerly homeless.

The furniture bank, originally an outreach of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, has been providing beds and other furniture to people referred by social service agencies and churches for over 40 years. Since its inception in 1982, the furniture bank has helped over 20,000 people.

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