Business in Brief - June 3, 2012

In honor of Flag Day, Big Y is collecting worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled American Flags for proper retirement. Big Y is working with local Boy Scouts, American Legions, VFWs and military organizations to properly retire the collected flags. From May 24 to June 6, 2012, all Big Y locations will have special receptacles for accepting the worn flags. These flags will be delivered to the local organizations listed above to ensure proper retirement with dignity and respect.

The collecting organizations will hold a special flag retirement ceremony that conforms to the United States Flag Code.

Brian Kelly, Vice President of Sales at Bouvier Insurance in Uncasville, recently attended the national conference for the Community Association Institute in Las Vegas. As a representative of the Connecticut Chapter, Kelly attended sessions relevant to Connecticut common interest communities. CAI-CT serves the educational, business, and networking needs of community associations throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut Chapter has over 800 members including nearly 150 businesses, and over 450 community associations representing 50,000 homeowners. For further information contact Kelly at 860-859-9821 ext. 318, email bkelly@binsurance com. Bouvier Insurance is located at 80 Norwich New London Turnpike, Uncasville.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has tee times remaining for its 24th annual golf tournament, Monday at the Stonington Country Club at 396 Taugwonk Road in Stonington.

Most of the availability is in the morning flight, but some spots are available in the afternoon, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Details are available by visiting www.ChamberECT.com and clicking on chamber events, or by calling 860-701-9113.

Chelsea Groton Financial Services will host a Long Term Care Seminar featuring Aldo Pantano of Connecticut Partnership for Long Term Care on Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 224 Gold Star Highway in Groton.

To make a reservation, call 860.823.4040. Space is limited, registration is required.

This seminar is presented by the State of Connecticut and hosted by Chelsea Groton Financial Services.

Financial services firm Edward Jones was named the Advisory Solutions Firm of the Year by the Money Management Institute as the firm that most exemplified overall excellence and contributed to the long-term success and sustainability of the wealth management industry, according to Financial Advisors Linda F. Brophy and Mike Cummins in Old Saybrook.

The award was presented at the Institute's annual Gateway to Leadership Awards Dinner held recently in Chicago. The Money Management Institute is the national association for the managed investment solutions and the wealth management industry. This award recognizes the features and benefits of both of the firm's advisory platforms.

The Edward Jones website is at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

David Stone, Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at Chelsea Groton Bank has been appointed to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut Board of Directors.

Stone will serve as an ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters as well as advocate on behalf of the children who benefit from the organization.

"David joining our board not only demonstrates his strong commitment to our children but also represents Chelsea Groton's dedication to community service," said Joseph Petroff, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern CT. "With David's business leadership skills and network of contacts, we will be able to increase community support and serve more children."

Stone joined Chelsea Groton Bank in 2012 with 26 years of commercial lending experience.

A "State of Montville" breakfast will be held from 7:45 to 9 a.m. Friday at Montville Town Hall by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, featuring Mayor Ron McDaniel and Town Planner Marcia Vlaun.

The Town Hall is at 310 Norwich-New London Turnpike.

The Montville program, one of several the chamber conducts in different communities throughout the year, will cost $5 for chamber members and $10 for non-members. A continental breakfast will be served.

To make a reservation, or obtain additional details, call 860-701-9113, or visit www.ChamberECT.com and click on chamber events.

Mystic author Kathleen O'Beirne's newest book, "Gardening: A Window on Our Soul," has just been published by Lifescape Enterprises.

The book, printed by The Day with graphic design by Jeanne Sigel, features a cover photo taken by Day photographer Dana Jensen at Rocky Neck State Park.

The author's use of gardening metaphors allows readers to see how the mysteries and messages of the natural world apply to their personal and professional lives. Books are available in Mystic at Bank Square Books and Puffins, and in Waterford at the Harkness Gift Shop.

For more information, call Lifescape Enterprises at 860-536-7179.

Registered nurse William C. Phinney of Quaker Hill, a Hospice supervisor of clinical services for Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, has won a Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing.

The Nightingale Awards program, held last month at the Mystic Marriott, recognizes nurses throughout Connecticut for their dedication, commitment and generous contributions to the field of nursing.

Phinney is a graduate of Three Rivers Community College.

Lanmar Aviation at the Groton-New London Airport will be the location of a business after hours networking event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.

Lanmar, a full-service fixed base operator that offers a range of services, is located at 201 Tower Ave. at the airport.

The event will include food and beverages, including beer, wine and soft drinks. The cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. A $5 walk-in fee will be assessed.

There will be no charge for a mini-workshop, "Mastering Networking," starting at 5 p.m.

The Inn at Harbor Hill Marina on Grand Street in Niantic has won a Certificate of Excellence Award for 2012 from TripAdvisor.

The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.

Sue and Dave Labrie are the innkeepers, while Pam Crandall serves as assistant innkeeper.

For more information about the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina bed and breakfast, visit www.innharborhill.com or call 860-739-0331.

Jennifer Renfree of Taftville has been named front office manager of Mystic's Comfort Inn.

The 120-room hotel is managed by Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel and convention center management firm.

Renfree is responsible for overseeing the hotel's front desk operations, including associate training and inter-department communications. She joins the team from her most recent position as sales coordinator at Comfort Suites in Norwich.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has complimentary copies of its recently published business directory, "Eastern Connecticut: One Region," plus the Mystic Country tourism guide at is office, 914 Hartford Tpke., Waterford.

The magazines, plus a large assortment of tourism brochures, may be obtained during office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Ken's Tackle Shop at 221 Thames St. in Groton has opened for its 55th year in business.

The shop, which stocks both fresh- and salt-water fishing tackle as well as an extensive selection of bait, opened in 1957 at 229 Thames St., moved to 213 Thames St. in 1982 and then, after a devastating fire in January 2009, reopened in July of that year.

The shop. started by Kenneth and Callie Streeter and now owned by daughter Dottie, is open seven days a week. For more information, call 860-445-6888.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Business Before Hours at Best Health Physical Therapy at 8 a.m. Thursday.

Best Health Physical Therapy is located at 772 Long Hill Road, Groton. Business Before Hours is a monthly networking event.

For more information about the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, call 860-572-9578 or visit www.mysticchamber.org