PEOPLE

Following the Annual Meeting of Corporators on March 29, the Jewett City Savings Bank Board of Directors elected Gary W. Peloquin to serve as Chairman of the Board and Gail Rooke-Norman to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board. Peloquin is the founder of Peloquin and Company, LLC, a CPA firm in Danielson. For 29 years, Rooke-Norman has specialized in estate planning and elder law at Rooke-Norman & Associates Law Office, LLC in Danielson.

Mitchell College in New London recently welcomed Catherine "Cathy" Hurd as the interim vice president of enrollment. Hurd most recently served as the vice president of student enrollment management and student experience at Bennett College.

Jeffrey Suntup of New London was issued his third patent on May 10 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office related to a device he invented, known commercially as PUTNUS, that dispenses small quantities of heating oil. The patent, titled Method for Training Heating Oil Tank Drivers, was said in a press release to enhance entry level driver training for "those seeking a hazardous materials ... endorsement for the first time." Suntup can be reached at　860-443-0414 or putnus@aol.com.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is hosting a Business After Hours at Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa Wednesday June 29, 5-7 pm. Complimentary food, drinks, and door prizes are included. Chamber Member: $20 Non-Member: $30. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/events.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will launch an 8-week Entrepreneur Academy for applicants who are exploring　launching a business. The academy will feature a 90-minute course one evening a week beginning July 14. Each class will be presented by business experts.The Entrepreneur Academy is made possible by a grant provided by the Thames River Innovation Places (TRIP) and CTNext. Courses are free of charge. Eligible applicants must be willing to commit to at least 8　classes. Although Zoom presentations will be available, participantsare encouraged to attend the in-person sessions. This program is one of several initiatives of the Innovation Center, being developed by the chamber at 92 Eugene O'Neill Drive in New London. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com.

GRAND OPENING

Portofood has opened at 357 Bank St., New London. The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT joined the Ecuadorian restaurant for a ribbon cutting on June 21. The restaurant is open daily except Tuesdays.

HONORS

The Port of Call in Mystic was named one of Esquire's Best Bars in America for 2022. Esquire refers to The Port of Call as "next-level" for its use of rice koji, pét-nats, and custom-made infusions and spirits made at the Real McCoy Spirits distillery. It's one of only 25 bars in the U.S. to earn this distinction.

Open since March 2022, The Port of Call is a collaboration between 85th Day Food Community (Oyster Club, Engine Room) and The Real McCoy Rum. The bi-level space hearkens back to the days of maritime excursions, exploring international cocktail culture and cuisine together, port by port.

Agents from William Pitt - Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty have been ranked in the 2022 REAL Trends list of "America's Best" real estate professionals. The list's categories include individuals by sales volume, individuals by transaction sides, teams by sales volume and teams by transaction sides.

In the individuals by volume category, Maris LeBlanc, Niantic; Colette Harron, Susan Malan and Rick Weiner, Essex, and Jon Arruda, Mystic. Susan Malan and Rick Weiner, Essex, and Georgia LaBonne, Mystic, were also recognized in the individuals by transaction sides. For more information, visit www.williampitt.com.

Robert J. Patten, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor in the Mystic Wealth Management office of Morgan Stanley has been named to the firm's Century Club, an elite group composed of the firm's top Financial Advisors. He has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 1995.  Pataten is a resident of Waterford. For more information, visit www.morganstanley.com.

Chelsea Groton Bank has earned its 113th consecutive 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, Inc. Banks who earn this rating must excel under a rigorous, independent analysis of financial condition, including a review of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Chelsea Groton Bank also earned the distinction of "Best of Bauer Bank" for the top rating for 100 (or more) consecutive quarters. For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com.

GIVING

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union awarded $94,000 in scholarships this spring to 47 high school and college students in New London and Windham counties who exceled academically and who take an active role in supporting their local communities. For the seventh year in a row, the credit union committed to awarding one $2,000 college scholarship to one college-bound senior at each high school within New London and Windham counties with an attendance of at least 100 students. Students who are members of Charter Oak compete for the scholarships by submitting an essay describing how they would help their local community in addition to their academic achievements and their involvement in community initiatives.

In addition to those 45 high school and college scholarship recipients, Charter Oak employees awarded two separate scholarships through their employee-funded Community Outreach Program. For more information, visit www.CharterOak.org.

This spring, the Chelsea Groton Foundation provided $289,000 to 63 non-profit organizations from Connecticut and Rhode Island. Inclusive of these donations, the foundation has provided over $5.3 million in total grants to the community since 1998.

Approximately half of the funds were distributed to Health & Human Services organizations, including Backus Hospital ($8,000), Lawrence + Memorial Hospital ($7,500) and Westerly Hospital ($7,500). The largest grant, $25,000, was awarded to Catholic Charities of Norwich to support basic needs. Also, $20,000 was awarded to Eastern CT Housing Opportunities for the Hempstead District Homeownership Program in New London. Education garnered 12% of the grant funds with Higher Edge, Connecticut College and Project Oceanology among the recipients.

For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com/CGFoundation.

UCFS Healthcare has been awarded a grant of $6,500 from the Chelsea Groton Foundation to enhance and modernize one of the communal socialization spaces at Sheltering Arms, 165 McKinley Ave., in Norwich. Since 1893, Sheltering Arms has provided a home for elderly people who can no longer live alone.

MEMBERSHIP

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes their newest members: Concrete Floors Company, LLC, Plainfield; Whisk Together Catering, Norwich; Corporate Benefit Plans; Hyde's Home & Farm, Norwich; Ignition Speed, LLC; Jimmy's Ice Pop Stop Truck; La Stella Italian Market, Taftville; Masonicare Home, Health and Hospice, Norwich; Mohegan Trading Post, Ledyard; Nelson Canopies, Ledyard; Ob-GYN Services, P.C., Norwich; The Patten-Wright Group at Morgan Stanley, Mystic; Your CBD Store, East Lyme; Bill's Auto, Inc., Preston; Get Beyond, Norwich. Interested in learning more about GNACC, contact Angela Adams at (860) 887-1647 or visit www.Norwichchamber.com.

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