2 • GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2014
IN THIS ISSUE of
THE ENTERPRISE THE GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HOW TO CONTACT US
12 Roosevelt Avenue P.O. Box 143 Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-9578 Tricia Walsh, President TriciaWalsh@MysticChamber.org Cherie’lin Toporowski, Events Director Cherielin@MysticChamber.org Hannah Stewart, Manager of Membership Operations Hannah@MysticChamber.org Jonathan Bartlett, Bookkeeper Jonathan@MysticChamber.org Gray Halberg, Office Administrator Gray@MysticChamber.org Mary Roy, Office Administrator Info@MysticChamber.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jacqueline Almeida - First Vice Chair Karin Barth • Jim Bates - Board Chair • Katie Beal Bradford • David Brown • Melinda Burridge • Stephen Clemente • Helen D’Alessio • Andrea Frickman • Kristen Havrilla Clarke • Ken Kopchik • Gina Kunst • John Layton - Treasurer • Daniel McFadden • Mary Jane McLaughlin• Christine Neves • Vin Pacileo III • Susan Pochal - Past Chair • Rita Rivera-Riemer• Dale Wolbrink - Second Vice Chair • Paul Yatcko ADVISORS David Blaney • Edward O. McCabe • John McGee • Jim O’Boyle • Joyce Olson Resnikoff • Joseph L. Selinger, Jr. • Robert Tabor • I. Susette Tibus • Cover photo by Carole Drong •
Published by Sun Publishing Co. in partnership with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
THIRD ANNUAL FUSION A SUCCESS ..................... 2
BECOME A FRIEND TO THE ARTS FESTIVAL........... 6
BUSINESSES OF THE MONTH ................................ 3
MYSTIC HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL TOURISM CRAWL . 6
BUSINESSES OF THE MONTH ................................ 4
GROTON INVITES YOU TO A GREAT SUMMER ........ 7
REGISTER FOR GROTON’S FALL FEST ................... 5
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVELYN KENNEDY OWNER OF SEWTIQUE ....................................................... 8
GMCC TO HOST WHITE LINEN PARTY.................... 5 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MYSTIC OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL............................................................... 5
GROTON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOLDS ANNUAL UPDATE ................................................................. 8 UPCOMING NETWORKING EVENTS ....................... 8
THIRD ANNUAL FUSION
a Success!
On Friday May 9, 2014, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce held the third Annual Fusion event at the Velvet Mill Studios in the Stonington Borough. This unique event showcased the Velvet Mill, highlighted local artists and was also a joint fundraiser for the business organizations who recognize and promote the arts as an important partner in the region’s economy. Sue Adam of GIRA! Event Planning transformed the large garage of the Velvet Mill into a space reminiscent of an edgy New York City nightclub. The focal point of the evening was live body painting on twelve models that pushed the boundaries of artistic creativity and design. Guests sampled beer and wine while they enjoyed culinary specialties offered by local eateries including 84 Tavern on Canal, Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Guytanno’s, Pizza Place of Westerly, Haversham Tavern, Octagon, Bridge and Dunn’s Corners Market. For the first time, a special “black light room” was featured, with 2 models being painted with psychedelic UV reactive paints. April Brunelle of April’s Balloon Creations created two spectacular one of a kind balloon gowns, one of which was modeled by Rochelle Weinrauch of Simply Enchanted. A new aspect of the event this year was a project involving car art, coordinated in collaboration with the event sponsor, The Valenti Family of Dealerships. The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and Greater Westerly Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our main event sponsors, The Valenti Family of Dealerships, GIRA! Event Planning and Eric Pivco of the Velvet Mill Studios. We would also like to extend a thank you to all the participating restaurants and suppliers, volunteers, artists and models as well as F & F Distributors, Full Power Radio, M.J. Sauchuk, Greysail Brewing Company, Cottrell Brewery, and Grossman’s Beachside Catering.
Photo courtesy of Larry St. Pierre
WWW.MYSTICCHAMBER.ORG
GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER • 3
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR BUSINESSES OF THE MONTH! Every month the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) highlights a member business deserving of special recognition. For the month of April, we are excited to announce the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, located at 109 Pequotsepos Rd in Mystic, as the recipient of the GMCC’s Business of the Month award. The honor is nomination-based and determined by several factors, including community involvement and overall success.
THIRD ANNUAL FUSION
Photos courtesy of Larry St. Pierre and Carole Drong
APRIL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
Located in Mystic, CT, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center is a combination wildlife sanctuary, natural history museum, and educational facility highlighting the habitats of southeastern Connecticut. Their mission is to inspire and nurture appreciation and scientific understanding of the natural world and foster a personal environmental ethic. The Nature Center offers a variety of interesting and informative environmental education programs and hikes for all ages, yearround. Attractions include exhibits in the Natural History Museum, the Nature Center Store featuring gifts and books for outdoor enContinues on page 4
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4 • GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2014
WWW.MYSTICCHAMBER.ORG
GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER • 5
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR MYSTIC OUTDOOR ART FESTIVAL
REGISTER NOW FOR GROTON’S FALL FESTIVAL AND SAVE Groton’s Ninth Annual Fall Festival is a few months away, but now is the time to act, if you want to save on the registration fee. If you register and pay by July 18, 2014, you can save $25. Not only can you save money, but it is easier than ever to pay. The GBA now accepts online payments. Simply go to our web site at www.grotonbiz.com. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2014 and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. Groton’s Annual Fall Festival is a special community event created and sponsored by the Groton Business Association (GBA) of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce (GMCC). You can obtain full information on how to register for a booth by going to the GBA web site at www.grotonbiz.com or calling the Chamber at (860) 572-9578. Sponsors for the Fall Festival are also promoted and listed as sponsors for the annual Groton Holiday Lights Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 6. The festival is held at Poquonnock Plains Park, centrally located in the middle of Groton. This will be the site of an arts and crafts show, business displays, exhibits, food vendors and entertainment. For businesses, this is an opportunity to connect with your current customers and attract new ones. For artists and crafters, it gives you access to thousands of new customers. For non-profit organizations, it is an opportunity to promote your message to thousands in person.
GMCC TO HOST WHITE LINEN PARTY TO KICK OFF THE 57TH MYSTIC OUTDOOR ART FESTIVAL Please join us Saturday, August 9th at 6pm to celebrate this year’s festival with a casual yet sophisticated “White Linen Night” cocktail party. The concept for a White Linen event, which originated in New Orleans, is to get the community involved in local arts and out of the house during the long, hot days of summer. The event will take place at the Mystic Arts Center, 9 Water Street. Music, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Guests are encouraged to dress in casual white or cool colors of the summer. Tickets are $35 each and now available for purchase online at MysticChamber.org or by calling the office at (860) 572-9578. Proceeds from this event will allow the GMCC to sustain the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival for years to come.
The 2014 Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, scheduled for August 9th and 10th, is looking for volunteers to help make the annual festival the best one yet. “Volunteers are the backbone of our Chamber events. Each year, it is the support and efforts of our generous volunteers that help make the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival a huge success,” said Cherie’lin Toporowski, Events Director for the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, producers of the annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. The oldest of its kind in the northeast, the 57th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival will be held along two miles of streets in Historic Downtown Mystic on the weekend of August 9th and 10th, 2014. There are over 100 positions to be filled to keep the event running smoothly. All volunteers receive a free official art festival t-shirt and are invited to a special gathering in their honor. Volunteers can choose to help with Festival Support Services including Artists set up on Saturday morning or one of three shifts per day in the following areas: Children’s Art Park Area & Art Wall, Artists Hosts, Information Booths and Merchandising. Available volunteer shifts include: Saturday morning Set Up: Arrive by 6 am on Saturday morning and work in a specific area helping artists find their spaces and assisting with set up under the direction of Street Captains and Committee Members. There is one shift on Saturday, August 9th from 6am - 10am. Street Assistants: Be available for any visitor or artist questions throughout the event in their designated area, rest breaks for the artists and depending on the heat delivering drinks to artists and other volunteers. These positions are scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday with three shifts between the hours of 9am - 12:30pm, 12pm - 3:30pm, and 3pm - 6pm. The last shift on Sunday may also help assist with light clean up and breakdown if needed. Information Booth: Responsible for handling cash and credit card transactions for sales of merchandise including T-shirts and hats. Also available to answer questions and hand out the Official Art Guide which includes important information about show and exhibitors. These positions are scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday with three shifts between the hours of 9am - 12:30pm, 12pm -
Photos by Carole Drong 3:30pm, and 3pm - 6pm. The last shift on Sunday may also assist in breakdown of tent and/or merchandise if needed. For more information or to sign up to volunteer for the Mystic Outdoor Arts Festival, please contact Cherie’lin Toporowski at cherielin@mysticchamber.org or (860) 572-9578
6 • GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2014
MYSTIC HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL TOURISM CRAWL
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL TODAY! This August, 270 artists will arrive in historic downtown Mystic to exhibit more than 25,000 pieces of artwork to more than 85,000 people. The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival relies heavily on the generosity of friends, local businesses and organizations for support to make sure this free event can continue highlighting our community and attracting visitors to our area. To celebrate the 57th year, we are asking that you consider supporting us with a donation of $100. As a Friend of the Arts you will be recognized in the Official Guide to the Artists and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce’s Newsletter The Enterprise recognizing your support. The oldest if its kind in the Northeast, the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival has grown from its humble beginnings in 1958, and now stretches over 2 miles in downtown creating a premiere fine art experience in Mystic. 2014 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the festival for a number of reasons: • A juried show, this year we received almost 400 applications for the festival. 270 Artists from 22 States have been invited to participate, making this one of the largest shows in recent years! • This year’s show will feature 75 new artists to the festival offering a variety of spectacular artwork and fine crafts. • Over $9,000 in Awards sponsored by local businesses and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will be presented during the Artists Award Breakfast hosted on Sunday of the event. • Family oriented art activities will be offered free of charge at the Mystic River Park both days of the event. • Local non-profit organizations including the Rotary Club of Mystic, Groton Lions Club, Coastal Masonic Lodge, Knights of Columbus and the Boy Scouts of America Troop 76, will be once again offering food and drink for sale to raise money for their organizations. The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival deeply appreciates your support—each gift helps to ensure this world class community event continues, today and tomorrow. Sincerely, Cherie’lin Toporowski Event Director P. S. You can go online at www.mysticchamber.org to make a secure donation today. You can even make your contribution on behalf of family or friends & we’ll acknowledge your gift on their behalf. For more information about the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, please contact Cherie’lin Toporowski at 12 Roosevelt Avenue • PO Box 143 • Mystic, CT • 06355 • 860.572.9578 • Cherielin@MysticChamber.org
Written by Roo Bosco Summer is here and tourists are once again flocking to the greater Mystic area - and with so much to do, who could blame them? Mystic’s thriving tourism industry boasts a wealth of cultural experiences, museums, outdoor activities and family entertainment. To celebrate and promote this all that Mystic has to offer, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce hosted its first annual Tourism Crawl last week. Between June 2nd and June 6th, many of the area’s favorite sites opened their doors to promote local business activities and provide crosspromotional events. Tammi Flynn, the Director of Marketing at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, agrees. “The people on the front line of the tourism industry are so important for area businesses,” she said. “It’s great to have an event that encompasses a variety of tourism sites!” The Tourism Crawl, brainchild of The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce’s own Hannah Stewart, was designed to engage front-line tourism staff in all the wonderful opportunities the area has to offer, so that they can share this knowledge with visitors and residents alike. The week-long educational event is the first of its kind for the region. Over 20 tourism-influenced businesses have each chose a time block over the course of the first week in June to host an open house to promote their organization to attendees. Stewart, who is the Manager of Membership & Operations at GMCC, noted, “After speaking with numerous tourism-influenced businesses in the area to gather their input, it became clear that there was a need for a community-wide event that celebrated and cross-promoted our region as a popular tourist destination. The Greater Mystic Tourism Crawl is our response to that need, engaging front-line staff and tourism professionals to learn even more about the area and all the wonderful opportunities we have to offer both tourists and residents.” The Tourism Crawl kicked off with an open house event at the new Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Executive Offices, where participants could meet with the staff and explore the new “tourism headquarters.” Innkeeper Michael Cardillo opened the doors of the Old Mystic Inn, a 1784 inn and carriage house steeped in Mystic history. On Tuesday, New England Science and Sailing educated front-line staff on marine science, sailing and adventure sports. Down the road, Argia Mystic Cruises sponsored a mid-day picnic cruise. Thursday offered an exciting networking event at a Business Before Hours with the Mystic Schooners, as well as a wine tasting and tour at Preston Ridge Vineyards. Throughout the rest of the week, attendees could participate in events such as the Florence Griswold Museum’s GardenFest, which included a celebration and tours of the property’s historic gardens. Kentford Farm also highlighted Mystic’s beautiful landscape, with tours of their grounds. “This week’s Tourism Crawl provided a wonderful opportunity for garden lovers and Mystic visitors to enjoy the many venues Mystic has to offer,” says Kentford’s own Bill Turner. “A welcome spring has many gardens in full bloom and the memories of the past winter’s fury are now a memory.” Many local favorites were also part of the crawl, including the Mystic Arts Center, Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium. The Crawl also included tours of area hotels, and a multitude of events at Foxwoods Resort and Casino, including a fascinating look at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. The event concluded with a successful breakfast buffet at Mystic Diner, where front-liners were able to network other professionals. “We were excited to bring such a large-scale educational event to life,” says Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce President, Tricia Walsh. The event was met with great enthusiasm, and the Chamber hopes to make it an annual event. “In tight-knit communities like Mystic, it is important to support and promote one another,” says local resident Erin Kuhse. “The Tourism Crawl is a great way for businesses band together and promote mutual success.” “The tourism crawl is such a great idea and we were so excited to be a part of it!” added Flynn. “We are looking forward to another successful event next year!”
WWW.MYSTICCHAMBER.ORG
GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER • 7
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THE CITY OF GROTON INVITES YOU TO BE PART OF A GREAT SUMMER IN THE CITY!
The City of Groton has launched Summer in the City, a new community initiative to help promote 2014 summer events and activities in the City of Groton! Summer in the City uses one overall umbrella to promote all summer happenings in the City, build community spirit and highlight the City as a great place to live, work and play. To see where your own summer fun schedule will take you and your family or for more information on how to register an event, visit summerinthecitygroton.com
The Summer in the City program will celebrate the City of Groton’s many opportunities throughout the summer season for entertainment, learning and play through a variety of outlets including a published calendar, multi-media advertising promotions, e-blasts, Facebook and a Summer in the City website with continuously updated listings of events all summer. The initiative, which was brought to the Council by Mayor Marian Galbraith, is an outgrowth of recent economic development activities in the City. Galbraith said, “The City of Groton is a vibrant community. We have great outdoor resources
and active community organizations that offer a diverse array of activities for families and people of all ages. Summer in the City is an effort to support those community organizations that add so much to the quality of life in our community. At the same time we want to invite people – residents, visitors, and commuters -- to experience all this City has to offer.” Special events large and small; music and dance; ongoing and repeating events; classes, lectures and presentations of all kinds will be featured in the program, which will run from May 24 until September 24. The Summer in the City program held a ribbon cutting and launch on May 31 with the Friends of Zbierski House at their Grand Re-Opening Event at the City-owned Zbierski House at Eastern Point Beach and a June 14 Mystic Schooners Baseball Clinic and City vs. Town Police Showdown Softball game. Please join them for the Groton Sailfest on July 12 and Art on Groton Bank on July 19. August begins with City of Groton Day on the 1st and closes on the 31st with the 60th Anniversary Nutmeg Fife and Drum Corps Muster. As summer winds down, the Counterpane Music Festival will feature four live bands at Eastern Point Beach on September 20.
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Plans are underway for a September 14th Summer in the City Block Party Bash on Thames Street. The party will include food, vendors, music, activities, performances and more. Stay tuned for more details on this not to be missed capstone event!
For additional information or to register your event please contact Susan R. Bailey, Summer in the City Program Coordinator summerinthecity@ cityofgroton-ct.gov
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Summer in the City invites organizers and hosts of summer happenings of all kinds to register their events and take advantage of free publicity with the SITC program. If you are hosting an event in the City of Groton, Summer in the City wants to help you let the community know about it! Events can be of any type and size; one-time, repeating or ongoing; designed for any age group; and can be ‘free or fee’. All events must take place within the City of Groton and be open to the public.
Mini Excavators Skid Steer Loaders Post Hole Diggers Airless Paint Sprayers Pneumatic Nailers Compressers York Rakes Lawn & Garden Equipment Ladders, Clippers, Paving Saws, Products & Much, Much More!
8 • GREATER MYSTIC CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2014
CONGRATULATIONS TO
UPCOMING NETWORKING EVENTS
SEWTIQUE
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS July 8th @ 5:30pm, Gardens at 222 222 Lambtown Road, Ledyard
Greater Mystic Chamber Chairmen Jim Bates stands with panel guests (left to right) Robert Trebiasacci, Victor Tary, Rita Rivera, Meagan Secor and Bence Strickland
GROTON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOLDS ANNUAL UPDATE On May 15th the Groton Business Association held its Groton Business Update meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Groton. Proudly sponsored by Groton Utilities, the breakfast included a panel discussion focusing on multimedia, social networking and technology. Moderated by Chamber Chairman, Jim Bates, panelists included Rita Rivera (Love & Pop Design + Communications, Creative & Social Media Consultant-Eastern Regional Tourism District), Meagan Secor (Director of Marketing & Community Relations, Wireless Zone), Bence Strickland (Custom Publications & Tourism Manager, The Day), Victor Tary (Digital Advertising Manager, The Westerly Sun) and Robert Trebiasacci (Westerly High School Student & Social Media Guru).
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS July 9th @ 5:30pm, Cardinal Honda 531 Connecticut 12, Groton Presented jointly with the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area and the Eastern CT Chambers of Commerce GROTON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING July 17th @ 7:30am, Groton Project Oceanology 1084 Shennecossett Rd, Groton BUSINESS AFTER HOURS August 12th @ 5:30pm, Advanced Improvements 61 W Main St, Mystic For more informtion or to register for these events, vistit MysticChamber.org or call (860) 572-9578
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Congratulations to Evelyn Kennedy, owner of Sewtique, on her 45th Anniversary and her Organization’s success in business! Sewtique is located at 391 Long Hill Road, Groton, CT