SCORE of Eastern Connecticut is hosting a free webinar on “Marketing Fundamentals” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Preregister at https://www.score.org/easternct.

Business executive and SCORE mentor Margo Weitekamp will lead training for those who do not have formal training in marketing and are interested in learning more about how to connect with their customers, and how to grow their business.

Weitekamp has an extensive business background in marketing strategy, marketing research, new product development, and advertising. She has worked primarily in consumer goods for several major companies including BBDO, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson.

People & Places

Michael O'Connor, vice president at Dominion Millstone, was the featured guest Jan. 17 on the CBIA BizCast. Waterford’s Millstone Power Station currently supplies about 50% of Connecticut’s energy needs, and more than 90% of the state’s clean power, O’Connor said.

O’Connor has been with the company for more than 20 years, after serving in the U.S. Navy. His wife grew up in Groton, and they raised two daughters locally. To access to interview, visit https://www.cbia.com/news/economy/cbia-bizcast-dominion-millstone.

Avalonia Land Conservancy has received a donation of 42.3 acres in Groton from various heirs and successors of Alden Fish. Eleven different part-owners executed deeds to transfer the entirety of the two parcels that abut additional conserved lands on each side of Interstate 95. The splitting in two of the parcels was a result of the construction of I-95 in the 1960s.

Avalonia Board President Dennis S. Main noted that “the donation preserves core forest, achieves conservation of an interconnecting greenway (Groton Pequot Woods), protects water resources, wetlands, streams (Fishtown Brook), vernal pools, wildlife and waterfowl habitat and provides a public benefit.”

Avalonia closed on nearly a dozen conservation tracts throughout New London County during 2023 totaling over 420 acres.

The 2024 Environmental Summit, produced annually by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, is scheduled for Jan. 23 at the Connecticut Science Center, Hartford.

“The Environmental Summit is a way to bring awareness to the priorities we plan to address during the upcoming legislative session, which this year opens on Feb. 7,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown in a release.

Those interested in attending can register for both in-person and virtual attendance. Complimentary tickets are available at www.conservationeducation.org for those 25 and under.

This month, City of New London Director of Human Services Jeanne Milstein attended a White House event, “Communities in Action: Building a Better Rhode Island and Connecticut.” Other invitees included leaders from local and state governments, non-profit organizations, interfaith groups, unions and academia.

Speakers included Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, White House American Rescue Coordinator Gene Sperling, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Brenda Mallory and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

Three small local businesses have collaborated to organize a Mediterranean Dinner and Wine event on Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Inn in New London.

Wines of Illyria, a small women-owned importer and distributor of wine and spirits, and Gordon's Yellow Front Wines & Liquors package store, a full service beverage provider in the region, are two of the sponsors that have collaborated with the local restaurant to put on the event.

The wines of Illyria, the ancient region that encompasses modern day Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Serbia, will be discussed by Indira Bayer, who founded Wines of Illyria in 2016. Wines will be paired with dishes created by the Lighthouse Inn’s chef. Also, Ed Cramer from Gordon's Yellow Front will be on site offering a special discount for those patrons who order wines presented and continue enjoying them at home.

The dinner will cost $80 per person. For reservations, text 860-709-7883.

The Connecticut Sun has announced the launch of its official youth basketball platform, Sun Academy.

Morgan Tuck, Connecticut Sun director of franchise development and assistant general manager, said the program will reach across New England to help youths learn skills on and off the court.

The creation of the Sun's new program came from a desire to uphold the organization's values in providing youth basketball players with an opportunity to learn new concepts, take their game to the next level, and participate in unique and holistic programming with the Connecticut Sun. The program will not only feature basketball instruction, but also incorporate a curriculum that focuses on several aspects of life, including education, health and fitness, and character development.

For more information, visit https://sun.wnba.com/sun-academy/.

Nonprofit News

SCADD, the Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, has announced recognition from Top Workplaces in its Woman-led Culture Excellence category, as well as being named Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, SCADD’s Chief Executive Director Stacey Lawton, and Leticia “Tish” Henderson, SCADD’s Outpatient Center Officer Manager, have been cited for their contributions. Lawton was named Executive Director of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, and Henderson won the La Latina of the Year Award from the Hispanic Alliance of Southeastern Connecticut.

SCADD's 2023 Top Workplace’s Woman-led Culture Excellence award was featured on TopWorkplaces.com. The award celebrates outstanding organizations whose most senior leader is a woman.

The 2023 Non-Profit of the Year hono be handed out Thursday, Feb. 22, at the GNACC Annual Dinner & Awards, which will be held at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. For details, visit www.NorwichChamber.com/Events.

The Connecticut Art Trail has announced its expansion to 24 member museums and cultural sites in 2024 with the addition of Eastern Connecticut State Univerity’s Art Gallery (Eastern Art Gallery).

For $35, art enthusiasts can purchase a Passport at ctarttrail.org or at a member museum. Good for a year, the Passport provides one-time admission to each of 24 locations — 24 member museums and the two affiliate members.

Grants & Awards

​Waterford-based Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has donated $100,000 in emergency food assistance to eastern Connecticut’s food pantries and food centers to help boost food supplies during the holiday season. For the second year in a row 20 food pantries received $5,000 this past December for agencies serving New London and Windham counties.

The 20 organizations were: Access Community Action Agency; Always Home in Mystic; Care & Share of East Lyme; Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic; Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson; Interfaith Human Services of Putnam-Daily Bread; Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London; Groton Social Services Food Lockers; Montville Food Bank (Montville Social Services); New London Area Food Pantry; New London Community Meal Center; New London Homeless Hospitality Center; Norwich Community Meal Program DBA Lee Memorial UMC; Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center; Project Pin, Inc. in Moosup; Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry in Norwich; Saint Mary's Church Food Pantry in Jewett City; Saint Vincent De Paul Place in Norwich; TEEG Community Market in North Grosvenordale; and Waterford Community Food Bank in Waterford.

For more information, visit CharterOak.org.

At last month’s Small Business Administration annual meeting of the Connecticut district, Jewett City Savings Bank was presented with an award for initiating the highest dollar volume of SBA 504 loans for third-party lenders in the region.

Created by the SBA to stimulate job growth, 504 loans provide long-term financing solutions to support the growth of for-profit businesses. Jewett City Savings Bank’s commercial lending team was cited for its work, including Ernest Muccio, Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer; Mark Light, Senior Vice President, Chief Banking Officer; Bill Couture, Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer; and Marcus Rehbein, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer.

Jewett City Savings Bank was also recognized as the 2023 Best Commercial Lender by readers of the Commercial Record.

Chamber Events

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will hold a Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting at Five Churches by the Bay, 215 Main St., Niantic, from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 31.

Five Churches by the Bay is the Niantic coastal cousin of Five Churches Brewing in New Britain, serving their own craft beer and craft food. This venue features Five Churches Brewing beer, wood-fire pizza, and locally sourced ingredients.

Also, the chamber will be attending the UConn women’s basketball game against Villanova at 7 p.m. Feb. 28, at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. Purchase deadline is 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, and tickets for members are $17.80. Call the chamber at 860-701-9113 to inquire or email marketing@chamberect.com.

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