Colchester author Elaine M. Alexander’s book, “Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep,” has been honored with the Cook Prize for excellence in STEM literature for children. The Cook Prize is the only award specifically for STEM books.

Alexander is a lifelong Connecticut resident who says she lived in Groton for many years and delivered The Day newspapers as a kid.

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

RECOGNITION

Backus Hospital has received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that rates patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. The new grades reflect performance primarily during the height of the pandemic.

Backus Hospital is joined by other Hartford HealthCare facilities Windham Hospital, Hartford Hospital, MidState Medical Center and St. Vincent’s Medical Center in earning an “A” Safety Grade from Leapfrog. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

To see full details, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Crescent Point at Niantic and Academy Point at Mystic, both Benchmark assisted living and Mind & Memory Care communities, have been ranked among the best assisted living with memory care communities in Connecticut and the entire U.S. for the second straight year. In U.S. News & World Report’s second annual Best Senior Living ratings, respondents gave the communities high marks in critical areas, such as overall value, management and staff, resident enrichment, dining and food, safety, transportation, maintenance, housekeeping and location.

For more information, go to https://health.usnews.com.

TRAINING

SCORE Eastern CT will present a free Zoom webinar on “Public Relations + Earned Media: Taking Control of Your Story” from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 1.

In this webinar, Kevin Aherne of Norwich-based Miranda Creative will guide you through the blueprint for a successful public relations strategy – including cultivating relationships with influencers and the media.

Aherne has a background in journalism as a reporter and editor. He also served as director of communications for the City of Providence before joining Miranda Creative.

For more information and for required pre-registration for this seminar, visit https://www.score.org/easternct.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Jewett City Savings Bank has announced the promotion of Erin Engerran to branch manager of the Pawcatuck office as well as the hiring of Sarah Wallace as assistant vice president, branch manager of the Plainfield office.

Engerran joined the bank in 2016 as a teller and has since held various positions with increasing responsibility, most recently as branch manager of the Preston office. She is a member of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce.

Wallace brings 17 years of banking experience, having previously served as financial center manager of the Canterbury office of Berkshire Bank.

Gannon Long has been named chief program officer at Operation Fuel, managing the nonprofit’s utility assistance and clean energy programs. Long also will serve as a senior adviser to Operation Fuel’s CEO Brenda Watson.

Long, a graduate of the University of Chicago with an MBA from the University of Connecticut, lives in Hartford. She joined Operation Fuel in May 2020 as the organization’s first policy and public affairs director.

United Community and Family Service Healthcare has been awarded $500 from the Colchester Lions Club at the organization’s Annual Community Night of Giving to support the Rosalyn Allen Food Pantry. A similar $500 donation also came from the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. UCFS Healthcare will use this funding to purchase healthy food to distribute at community health center locations as well as monthly drive-up-and-go events in Norwich, Preston, Colchester and New London.

UCFS Healthcare also has been awarded three grants totaling $572,667 from the School Based Health Center Alliance to expand access to School Based Health Center Services in Norwich and Montville. With this funding, UCFS Healthcare will expand access by adding primary health care services in Norwich at Teachers’ Memorial Global Studies Magnet School and John B. Stanton Elementary School. Additionally, these funds will support the development of a brand-new School Based Health Center at Leonard J. Tyl Middle School in Montville to focus exclusively on mental health services.

The Plainfield Police Department has been awarded a grant of $1,873, in honor of Jewett City Savings Bank’s 150th anniversary.

The donation, presented at the bank’s Plainfield branch, was earmarked to help fund a new sign to replace one damaged in a recent accident. The Department plans to purchase a new digital sign to display town events and important information to town residents.

The bank also announced a grant of $1,873 to The Last Green Valley, a nonprofit designated to protect and care for the 35-town National Heritage Corridor in eastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts.

Foxwoods Resort Casino has renewed its sponsorship with professional long driver Isaiah Joyner, following his victory in the 2022 Ultimate Long Drive World Championship.

Joyner, ranked No. 15 in the world, will represent Foxwoods in upcoming tournaments worldwide, including the World Long Drive and Ultimate Long Drive Championships in October 2023. As part of the sponsorship, Joyner will rep the Foxwoods logo on his apparel and carry a branded golf bag and will make appearances at the resort throughout the year for promotional events.

CHAMBER NEWS

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a New Member Meet & Greet at Dodd Stadium from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, June 1.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours at Legacy Financial Advisory at Rocks 21 on Tuesday, May 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event is $10 for members and $25 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at www.mysticchamber.org or at the door.

Young Professionals of Eastern CT will hold its monthly YPsocial from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center’s Blue Gene’s Pub in Waterford.

Nonmembers can attend this night of networking and art for $15, which includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a ribbon cutting and grand opening at Anchors Aweigh Sailing School, 70 Howard St. in New London, from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 19.

Anchors Aweigh Sailing School offers the widest range and the highest levels of ASA certifications and endorsements in Connecticut.

The event is free and open to the public.

EVENTS

Friedman Found’s first open workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at 33 Boston Post Road, Waterford, as part of the business’s Third Thursday events.

The workshop will function as office hours with co-founder Joshua Friedman. This is your opportunity to bring in your small project to ask questions about best techniques, materials, and get a general roadmap for your DIY process.

Visit www.friedmanfound.com for more specifics, email friedmanfound@gmail.com or call 860-440-8726. The store opens at noon Thursday, and on May 18 the Third Thursday Party goes to 8:30 p.m.

GOING GREEN

Enko Chem Inc. has announced that, with support from the Connecticut Green Bank, the company has embarked on a clean energy program at its facility on Maritime Drive in Mystic. The projected energy savings over 20 years are upwards of $10 million, including utility incentives, tax credits, and operational energy savings.

The clean energy upgrades began with the installation of energy-efficient lighting on two floors of interior office, lab, and greenhouse space, and will continue with upgrades to the facilities’ HVAC systems and the installation of solar. Enko’s 89,000-square-foot facility on nearly 16 acres was built in 1992 and was purchased by Enko in July 2020.

Enko discovers and develops novel products for farmers to protect their crops from pests, weeds, and disease.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Students from the Aspiring Educators Club at Mitchell College have established a “Free Books Library” at the Clothes-Pin Laundromat, 52 Ocean Ave. in New London. The books are available to children accompanying family members doing laundry.

Representing the club at the library set-up were Olivia DeLoach, president, Ashley Septelka, vice president, and Tyelisa Wilson, incoming president. They were joined by Jennifer Wallace, Clothes-Pin manager, and Dr. Christopher Clouet, assistant professor of education and club adviser.

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