The Old Lyme Historical Society has won a Print Industry of New England award for its 2021 “Then & Now Calendar.”

The award recognized the historical society and Essex Printing in the organization’s New England Regional Awards of Excellence competition.

Judged anonymously in a category with similar printed pieces, the 2021 PINE Award of Merit was presented May 5.

PINE’s Awards of Excellence Competition attracted hundreds of entries from printing and imaging companies across New England competing in a variety of printing and graphic communications categories.

Bozrah's Amber Moore named to CPA board

Amber Moore of Bozrah has been named to the board of directors of fhe Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants for 2021-22.

According to a release, Moore is a certified public accountant and a partner at Goldblatt Bokoff LLC in Norwich. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in accounting from the University of Connecticut.

She has served the CTCPA as a member of the Advisory Council; Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting Committee; State Taxation Committee; Federal Taxation Committee; New and Young Professionals Group; Southeastern Connecticut Chapter; and Technology Committee.

Ex-Groton resident plays vital role for Save the Sound

Michiela Messner has been a licensed scuba diver for 10 years and embarks on ocean cleanup projects. She helps remove debris from the Long Island Sound, which because of a ripple effect impacts oceans all over the world.

Ocean gyres are large systems of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns. They are more susceptible to collecting trash because of the current circulation.

The North Pacific Gyre, also known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, collects mostly plastic, which takes decades to decompose. Other forms of pollution found in oceans are cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bags, and styrofoam, all of which take years to break down.

Marine life may mistake litter for food, and that can be fatal to sea life.

There are ways a person can help with ocean cleanup ventures other than by scuba diving. Volunteer efforts to clean our beaches is a great way to help save our planet.

Michiela Messner worked and lived in Groton for five years and now lives in Middlefield. She attended college at the University of Connecticut at Avery Point with a focus in maritime studies.

She has been a captain for the coastal cleanup for Rocky Neck State Park through Save the Sound. Michiela took a reef diving class where they conducted a field study in Belize. She has enjoyed snorkeling in Bahamas.

In high school Messner was a member of the oceanography club. She is currently a physical education teacher at the high school level. She will continue to pursue her love for the ocean and hopes to pass on her passion to students.

Three Ledyard High School students honored for essays about mental illness

Brooke Grant came in first place with her essay titled "Take a Breath." Second place went to Sarina Barnes for "Teens Mental Health versus a Global Pandemic." And Jazmyn Towpasz came in third for her "Mental Health Essay."

The students received awards ranging from $250 for first place to $100 for third place.

The students, all of whom were from Steve Bilheimer's health class, learned that mental illness is not a character flaw but a treatable, biological disorder. And, one in 10 Americans suffer from some sort of mental illness but only 20% get treatment for it.

Many of Bilheimer's students participated in the "Breaking the silence about Mental Illness" essay contest. The contest, now in its 13th year at Ledyard High, is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeastern Connecticut.

The local NAMI affiliate offers support, education and advocacy for people with mental illness and their families. Weekly support groups are held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Interested parties can contact Marvin Elbaum, 860-930-8283.

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