Monthly Archives: February 2014

Old Lyme’s ‘Volcano Girls’ Win Design Award at Jr. FIRST Competition in Stamford

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OL’s Volcano Girls Win Design Award at Jr. FIRST Competition in Stamford

Winning smiles from Mile Creek School’s ‘Volcano Girls.’  From left to right, Dr. Anthony Davis, Anna Davis, Phoebe Lampos, Bridget Allan, Elsie Arafeh-Hudson, Whitney Barbour, Marielle Mather and Stamford Deputy Fire Marshal Thomas Brown.
Photo by K. Mather.

Old Lyme’s  “Fast-Fixin’ Volcano Girls” won the trophy for “Most Robust Design” at the Jr. FIRST Lego League Expo in Stamford on Feb. 9.

The all-girl team was sponsored by the Girl Scouts, and coached by Dr. Anthony Davis, with help from Diane Dennison.  Team members are Bridget Allan, Elsie Arafeh-Hudson, Whitney Barbour, Anna Davis, Phoebe Lampos and Marielle Mather.  All are third-graders at Mile Creek School.

Junior FIRST Lego League (Jr.FLL) is a science and engineering program for children aged 6-9, which aims to foster interest in science and technology.  Team members must work together to solve a challenge question through research and creation of a working, motorized Lego model and a poster to illustrate their ideas.

This year’s challenge was “Disaster Blaster.”  Teams were asked to choose a Natural Disaster, and use science, research, and technology to help prevent or mitigate its effects upon a community.

The Fast-Fixin’ Volcano Girls began meeting in November, chose their topic and team name, and designed a logo. After several weeks of research, they designed and built their Lego model, which featured several detailed buildings, water, and a mechanized volcano that spewed balls of lava.

Their design included a hazard prevention/mitigation wall with a moat and trenches to stop or cool down lava before it could reach the buildings.  The accompanying poster highlighted their research and the importance of early warning and evacuation in saving lives in a Volcano Zone.

Little League Registration Opens, Online Sign-ups Offered

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Lyme – Old LymeLittle League Baseball, Little League Softball, and Tee Ball announce online registration at  www.lolll.orgLyme.  Old Lyme residents with children ages 4 – 12 are encouraged to participate.

In order to participate, parents/guardians must go online and complete registration and medical release form.  Player registration must be completed online by Feb. 28.

There is one open registration at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, 53 Lyme St., on March 1,  from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. But don’t wait, space is limited, register online now.

Visit  www.lolll.org for more information, or contact Deb ONeil, Little League President, at 860-501-7232

Di Bonaventura Speaks, Signs Books at Florence Griswold Museum, Saturday

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BookcoverAllegra di Bonaventura will speak at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m.  A scholar and author, di Bonaventura speaks about her book, “For Adam’s Sake,” which began as a simple study of a New London shipwright’s colonial diary.

Spanning 47 years, the Joshua Hempstead diary led her to discover an intimate world of interlocked families that traversed slavery and freedom, wealth and poverty — each one fighting for survival during the first century of English settlement.  Spoiled sons squandered family fortunes, mothers struggled to protect children from enslavement, and religious radicals fought for self-determination.  Each conflict brought lingering doubts about what early America would become.

A book signing concludes the event.

Admission to the book talk is $7.  Register at 860-434-5542 x 111 or FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org.

Essex Savings Bank Reflects on Successful Year at Annual Meeting

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Essex Savings Bank held its semi-annual Trustees’ Meeting Monday, Jan. 27,  at the Bank’s Plains Road corporate office in Essex.  Bank Chairman Douglas Paul welcomed the attendees and stated that he was proud to preside at the completion of the Bank’s 162nd year.

Gregory R. Shook, President and CEO, reported on the Bank’s performance for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013 by stating, “I am pleased to report that the Bank posted a net profit of $1.7 million. Bank assets grew by $6.7 million to $331.5 million. While core deposits rose by $12 million, credit quality remained strong with zero foreclosed properties and capital increased by $1.8 million to $40.4 million – far exceeding regulatory requirements.”

He continued, ” Our branches continue to attract new relationships and our newest branches in Madison and Chester are operating ahead of our projections.  During the year, the Bank generated over $76 million in loans which were comprised of both residential and business loans. We are also proud to report that our Trust Department, led by professionals, Granville Morris and Moira Martin, has brought assets under management to over $300 million. ”

Shook added, ”  As part of our Bank’s success, we will again be distributing 10% of our after-tax net income or $224,000 to non-profits in our market area.  By year end, we will have contributed back to the community in excess of $3.9 million over the past 18 years that the Community Investment Program has been in existence.”

Charles Cumello, President & CEO of Essex Financial Services Inc., reported that gross revenue for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013 was $18.7 million, which is up 12 percent.  “This year’s performance is one of the firm’s best, and marks the fourth year in a row with record revenue growth.”

Cumello informed the trustees of  the  many improvements and investments in technology and infrastructure currently underway that will increase the excellence of the firm’s client service as the firm continues to grow.  He stated that these investments in infrastructure are critical as the addition of new clients to the firm has been very robust and inquiries from potential clients continue to rise.

Editor’s Note: Essex Savings Bank is a FDIC insured, state chartered, mutual savings bank established in 1851.  The Bank serves the Connecticut RiverValley and shoreline with six offices in Essex (2), Chester, Madison, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.  Financial, estate, insurance and retirement planning are offered throughout the state by the Bank’s Trust Department and subsidiary, Essex Financial Services, Inc, Member FINRA, SIPC.

Investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and annuities are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not a deposit, have no Bank guarantee and are not insured by any Federal Government Agency.