Category Archives: Deep River

State Senate Candidate Emily Bjornberg Addresses Nominating Convention of Rep. Joe Courtney

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From left: Emily Bjornberg, Rep. Joe Courtney, State Rep. Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) at Courtney's nominating convention earlier this week.

From left: Emily Bjornberg, Rep. Joe Courtney and State Rep. Mae Flexer (D-Killingly) at Courtney’s nominating convention earlier this week.

Emily Bjornberg of Lyme, Democratic candidate for the State Senate in the 33rd District, addressed the nominating convention of U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2nd) on Wednesday evening at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield.

The 33rd District includes Lyme and also covers Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.

“Joe Courtney has amassed a stellar record of fighting hard for education, defense, agriculture and small business.  He holds true to the values that matter most to Eastern Connecticut, and we are proud to call him our representative,” said Bjornberg.

Courtney is seeking a fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of the second district of Connecticut for more than seven years, and I am looking forward to running again.  I am grateful for the strong support displayed at our convention, which demonstrates the importance of the work we will continue to do in Connecticut and in Washington,” said Courtney in a prepared statement.

Chester Historical Society Hosts Silent Auction Event, Saturday

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F:DPFMonday NewsStorrs Convention of Characters # February 24 2013 Al Malpa

Photo by Al Malpa
David Rau, Director of Education and Outreach at the Florence Griswold Museum, created “As Seen From Above” for the Chester Historical Society’s Unearthed in Chester Challenge & Reception. Using the rusted Es found buried in an early Chester property, David says his answer to the challenge is “a bird’s-eye view of the earth from above. As soon as I saw the shapes, I saw the openings as small doors. You can imagine the scene as a setting for an interesting archaeological dig, which might unearth more Es.” David is known far and wide for his fairy house creations for the museum.

Dipping back into Chester’s roots as a manufacturing town, the Chester Historical Society has created its fourth challenge for area artists, sculptors, photographers, engineers, and all others with a creative mind.

This spring’s creative challenge is named “Unearthed in Chester,” because it is based on flat, rusted iron pieces found buried in an early Chester Center property – one of the oldest houses in Chester.  These rusty pieces measure 1 ¼ by 2 inches and look like the capital letter E.

The finished pieces of art, jewelry, sculptures, photographs, etc. will be exhibited and sold by silent auction at the Historical Society’s Unearthed in Chester Reception on Saturday, March 22, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the historic Chester Meeting House.

“The Society has staged similar challenges over the past ten years.  In 2004 we started with Brooks for Hooks, which used hooks and screw eyes manufactured by M.S. Brooks & Sons,” said Skip Hubbard, Historical Society president. “Our last two challenges utilized 2-inch-square knitting gauges made by C. J. Bates & Son and bone handles from Bishop & Watrous.”

There is still time for artists and other creatively minded people to get involved in this year’s Unearthed Challenge. Call Sosse Baker at the Chester Gallery, 860-526-9822, for details.

To attend the reception, which will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres and white wine, tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Chester Gallery and Ceramica, both in the center of Chester, or by calling Sosse Baker at Chester Gallery.

All the proceeds from the event will benefit the Chester Historical Society and its programs, including Chester Museum at The Mill.  Information is available on the Society website, www.chesterhistoricalsociety.org or at Facebook.com/chestercthistoricalsociety.

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.

36th Essex Winter Series Concert Season Promises World-Class Performers

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Mihae Lee and Randall Hodgkinson

Mihae Lee and Randall Hodgkinson

Essex Winter Series (EWS) will present five unusually diverse and exciting concerts in 2014, ranging from Bach to red-hot jazz, and from solo guitar to full orchestra.  Programmed by EWS artistic director Mihae Lee and newly-appointed Jazz Impresario Jeff Barnhart, these concerts offer world-class performing artists and a dazzling array of styles and genres.

The 36th season of Essex Winter Series is dedicated to Fenton Brown, co-founder, former artistic director, and trustee emeritus, who passed away in September.  “Fenton changed our community through the joy of music,” says Ms. Lee.  “We will never forget his incredible contribution to the cultural life of our community, and we will celebrate his legacy with five really wonderful concerts.”

All of the concerts are on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. in Deep River.  Concerts take place at Valley Regional High School, with the exception of the March 2 jazz concert, which will be presented at John Winthrop Middle School.

Jan. 12: Mihae Lee/Randall Hodgkinson Duo.  The piano four-hands duo of Mihae Lee and her renowned colleague Randall Hodgkinson will perform Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring on the 100th anniversary of this revolutionary work, along with two other ground-breaking masterpieces: Debussy’s La Mer and Gershwin’s most popular large-scale piece, Rhapsody in Blue.  Sponsored by Essex Meadows

Feb. 9: Jason Vieaux, guitar. Hailed by Gramophone magazine as “among the elite of today’s classical guitarists,” the renowned American virtuoso will perform works from Bach to Pat Metheny, including music by 19th century masters such as Mauro Giuliani and Isaac Albéniz and modern classical and popular composers such as José Luis Merlín and Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Sponsored by Essex Savings Bank

March 2: Stu Ingersoll Jazz Concert.  “Celebrating Fats Waller: The Songs and Story of America’s Greatest Musical Entertainer” will feature many of the greatest songs by the legendary and influential pianist, whose best-known compositions include, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “Honeysuckle Rose,” performed by the charismatic Jeff Barnhart and his Hot Rhythm.  Co-Sponsored by The Clark Group and Tower Laboratories

March 30: Fenton Brown Emerging Artists Concert.  2014 Emerging Artist, hornist Leelanee Sterrett, will perform the Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2 with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, which returns to EWS under the direction of William Boughton.  Also on the program are Richard Wagner’s moving Siegfried Idyll and Beethoven’s delightful Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale.”  Co-sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank and Nancy Newcomb & John Hargraves

April 13: Palm Sunday All-Bach Concert.  The program features some of Bach’s most beautiful soprano arias, The Musical Offering, and the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.  The distinguished performers include soprano Lisa Saffer, flutist Tara Helen O’Connor, violinist Ani Kavafian, and harpsichordist Linda Skernick.  Sponsored by the Edgard and Geraldine Feder Foundation

All tickets to Essex Winter Series concerts are general admission.  Individual tickets are $30; five-concert subscriptions are $125, which represents a $25 saving over the single-ticket price for five concerts.  Tickets may be purchased on the EWS website or by calling 860-272-4572.

More program information, artist biographies and photos, and much more is available on the Essex Winter Series web site, www.essexwinterseries.com.

Lose Those Extra Pounds With The River Valley Slimdown

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RVSD_Core_Image

The New Year is just around the corner and Donna Scott of Old Lyme is ready to help you with that  (possibly long-standing) resolution to lose weight.

Scott is the owner of IFoundFitness in Deep River and has just announced her 7th annual River Valley Slimdown.  While participants will compete to lose the most weight over 12 weeks, they will also be raising funds for charity.  Those who take the challenge will be dropping the holiday pounds for the good of both their health and their community.

The next River Valley Slimdown begins on Jan. 11, 2014 and runs through April 5.  Over the past six challenges, Scott and her team at IFoundFitness have helped over 120 participants shed over 860 pounds.  They have also raised over $1,100 for multiple organizations, including Shoreline Soup Kitchens, and Tri-Town Youth Services, to name just a few.  The Winter 2014 River Valley Slimdown will donate 20% of the challenge jackpot to a charity decided upon by the participants.

The jackpot itself is determined by those who take the weight loss plunge.  Participants agree to pony up $65 to participate in the challenge, which includes a weekly weigh-in.  Any weight gain results in a penalty fee.  All penalties plus the original registration fees go towards the final jackpot, which is then divided between the contest winners and the charity of choice.

“People love that extra motivation,” notes Donna, continuing,  “While, of course, we tend to over-indulge during the holidays, it’s also a time to give back to others.  My clients are amazing.  Their dedication to their health is only matched by the dedication they have to helping these charities.”

The Fall 2013 River Valley Slimdown resulted in a jackpot of over $2,300.  Both the first and second place winners dropped over 10 pounds each.

For the upcoming challenge, Scott will again be working with Penny Smyth, CHHC, AADP Certified Health Coach, to provide nutritional and weight management seminars to the challenge-takers throughout the challenge.  RVSD will also be offering a Brand New On-Line Meal Planning Program through which participants can choose from over 450 menu choices, including vegan and gluten-free diets.

And there’s still one more reason to become involved.  Sign up before Jan. 1, to receive a free pass card to five fitness classes at IFoundFitness (new members only).

Registration is currently open for the Winter 2014 River Valley Slimdown.  Email Scott at donna@ifoundfitness.com for complete rules and registration forms.

For more information on the River Valley Slimdown, visit http://ifoundfitness.com/rv-slim-down/