Area Photographer Lynn Damon Joins Board of Directors at MARC, Inc., Honoring Family Legacy

Lynn A. Damon, a Glastonbury-based, nationally renowned professional photographer, today announced she was recently selected to join the Board of Directors at MARC, Inc, of Manchester,a not-for-profit agency that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live, work, and enjoy their community independently with dignity and pride.

Lynn has been close to MARC for decades, starting in the 1980s when her late sister Jane Alemany, who had Down syndrome, became a client of MARC as an adult. At MARC, Jane found meaningful employment opportunities at local community businesses, made many lifelong friends and smiled everyday. Through the years, Lynn became more deeply involved with the organization as a volunteer, an event committee member and a fundraiser.

Since Jane’s passing in October 2014, Lynn established and produced “Janie’s Dance Party”, in memory of her sister, who loved music, glamour and dancing. The annual fundraiser party features live music, dancing, food and fun for MARC clients, staff, family and friends and the broader community.

In 2015, Damon also undertook an ongoing art project w/ MARC in Jane’s honor, photographing, printing and donating portraits of nearly 300 clients within the MARC community. On permanent display in MARC’s main entrance, the canvases of the “Faces of MARC” installation are reflective of MARC’s mission to see and celebrate people, not disabilities.

“MARC has sought to bring economic opportunities, fun, stability, independence and a strong sense of purpose to area adults with developmental disabilities. For decades, they’ve partnered with beneficent area employers and organizations to better knit our community together,” said Lynn. “It is my mission to continue honoring my sister’s legacy in working more closely with this magnificent organization. Since 1952, MARC has been seeing people, not disabilities, and with our efforts the future can be even brighter with possibilities, resources and joy for those in our community who are, sadly, too often under accounted for by traditional institutions, society and government budgets.”

 

Titan Energy, Juice Bar Partner to Expand Public EV Charging Access

Titan Energy New England and Juice Bar, a Division of Oasis Charger Corporation, announced a joint initiative to promote electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to Titan customers around the country.

Titan Energy, a leading energy advisor to commercial and industrial firms, has negotiated an arrangement whereby its customers can buy or lease state-of-the-art charging stations that have been customized with a branded UV protected and weatherproof wrap.

“Titan’s partnership with Juice Bar not only gives our organization a roadmap for continuing to deliver creative, innovative energy solutions, but it also helps us communicate our commitment to our customers and the surrounding community by offering them greater and more varied opportunities for growth,” said Chris Ramm, Titan Energy’s CEO. “With the fast growth of the EV market, this program provides
business owners a cost effective and worry-free option to provide what is, increasingly, a requirement in every parking lot.”

Ramm said that the customized stations “have the potential to attract tenants and customers as well as attract and retain employees”.

Titan plans to market the Juice Bar EV chargers to hotels, college campuses, hospitals, commercial and residential parking lots, municipal buildings and other property owners that want both reliable chargers as well as what Ramm called the “green branding” that comes with promoting electric vehicles.

Paul Vosper, CEO of Oasis Charger Corporation, said that his company “welcomes the partnership with Titan as a solutions provider to help customers navigate the fast growth of the EV market. As the number of chargers increases in each location, integration with a building’s power management systems becomes imperative. Titan provides that expertise.”

Vosper said that Juice Bar’s new Gen. 3 charger is the most powerful Level 2 charger on the market, providing “both greater power, with its 80-amp charge capabilities, and the most sophisticated energy management solutions, all at the lowest cost in the industry.”

In the next decade, an additional 2 million EV chargers are projected to be installed in the United States as a wave of new electric vehicles are expected to hit the market. As a result, partnerships like the one between Titan Energy and Juice Bar are key to expanding public access to electric vehicle charging nationwide and to responsible environmental, social and governance operating initiatives.

InterCommunity Health Care Recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA)

InterCommunity Health Care is pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) as a leader in the national effort to get patient blood pressure rates under control and reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year.

As part of the 2019 Target: BP Recognition Program, AHA and AMA awarded InterCommunity Health Care with Gold Status – one of just 542 physician practices and health systems to be recognized for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 percent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure.

In addition, InterCommunity received the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ Gold award in recognition of their commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke through improved cholesterol management.

“High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Yet, less than half of people with high blood pressure have it controlled to target level, and many people with high cholesterol are undertreated,” stated Kimberly Beauregard, President and CEO of InterCommunity Health Care. “We’re pleased to be part of the effort in improving the health of the people we serve.”

InterCommunity Health Care provides health services out of 16 locations in the greater Hartford region, including three community health centers located at 281 Main Street in East Hartford, 16 Coventry Street in Hartford, and 828 Sullivan Avenue in South Windsor.

Chelsea Groton Marketing Exec Blazes a Trail in Banking as Women of FIRE Honoree

 

 

BARBARA CURTO RECOGNIZED FOR MOTIVATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN FINANCIAL INDUSTRY

 

The community-focused mission of Chelsea Groton Bank ignited an enthusiasm for the financial industry in Marketing Manager Barbara Curto four years ago. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition as a Women of FIRE (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) by Banking New England and American Business Media. Curto was selected for the prestigious award based on her success as an effective and results-driven leader who motivates employees by encouraging professional and personal growth.

“Barbara inspires her team every day with her commitment and creativity in promoting the bank’s initiatives,” said Lori Dufficy, EVP, Director of Sales & Service of Chelsea Groton Bank. “We are thrilled that her efforts in our industry are being celebrated.”

Banking New England and American Business Media created the award to honor the women who are making a difference in their profession. The FIRE (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) sector has emerged as a keystone of the New England economy, transforming the knowledge, wealth and dreams of the world’s most ambitious visionaries into reality. As more and more women rise to the top of businesses and institutions in this sector, there is a growing need to shine a light on their achievements to inspire others.

Banking New England identifies the most talented, the most ambitious, the most innovative and the most philanthropic female leaders. Recipients are chosen through a very selective process. The winners were featured in the September/October issue of Banking New England and will be honored at an awards luncheon taking place October 11, 2019 at The Verve Crowne Plaza in Natick, MA.

As she is new to the banking industry, Curto was selected for and enthusiastically agreed to enroll in the two-year program offered by the Connecticut School of Finance and Management that provides insight into all facets of banking and leadership. Curto has enjoyed the challenge of responding to a constantly changing economy, banking regulations and how people do their banking.

“Working for a company that focuses on helping individuals, families and businesses get their start, plan for their future and find success is extremely gratifying,” explains Curto. “I am driven to share the bank’s contributions to the community through donations, employee volunteerism and financial education.”

 

Ahearn Grant pays for installation of Outdoor Cymbals

Ädelbrook’s Manchester Learning Center is enjoying a set of outdoor cymbals in their sensory garden thanks to a $2,988 grant from the Ahearn Family Foundation.

The goal of the grant was to introduce many facets of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) by providing a stimulating space where children can safely experiment and interact with the various elements of the garden.

This grant helps build upon previous elements that have been installed, including a xylophone, and benches and archway that were installed by a local boy scout troop. Additionally, the students have built bluebird houses that have been installed around the playground/sensory garden area. To ensure that the space is kept safe and sustainable there were landscaping elements included, such as window wells, stone dust pathways and garden beds created from recycled materials. To help beautify the area, the school purchased and planted annuals and perennials.

Many of the children at the school have sensory issues and take refuge in the peacefulness of the garden. Others take great delight in being able to play the musical instruments. There is a student who likes to start his day there after riding the bus to school. Others use the garden as a peaceful place to rest if the day becomes stressful.

“We have seen an increase in the use of that outdoor space. The children just enjoy being out there. Our Occupational Therapist has used the space to provide treatment and the children enjoy the opportunity to do their therapy sessions outside in such a tranquil and beautiful setting,” said Cathy Danielczuk, Director of The Learning Center – Manchester.

 

 

Eric Powers, Certified Financial Planner TM to Present Retirement Course

Are you drifting into retirement? As many pre-retirees are learning there’s a lot more to it than a date on the calendar. Beyond lifestyle changes there are lots of questions about What If scenarios.

A retirement course offered through Glastonbury Adult & Continuing Education, which once focused on granular details of Social Security, has evolved to now include goal setting, income planning, risk evaluation, and strategies. Over the nearly 10 years that Eric Powers, a Certified Financial Planner TM, in Glastonbury has been teaching retirement courses, he has worked diligently to improve his course to be more adaptable to various learning styles. His students find that the booklets with wide margins for notes, handouts for exercises, calculators, & frameworks, and whiteboard illustrations help clarify some of the big retirement decisions.

“Comprehensive Retirement Planning” is a two-session course. And, good news, it will be offered twice this fall depending upon which days’ work for you: Tuesdays (Oct 1 & 8) or Thursdays (Nov 7 & 14). To get on course with retirement planning questions you have, and maybe some you hadn’t thought of, join other students to hear from a CFP® professional. Registration is handled directly through the Glastonbury Adult & Continuing Education program by phone, online, or snail mail. Contact the school at: (860) 652-7253 or http://www.glastonburyus.org/adulted

CHELSEA GROTON BANK CREDITS EMPLOYEES FOR TOP WORKPLACE AWARD

Throughout its 165-year history, Chelsea Groton Bank has won countless awards for helping their customers and communities achieve their goals. Now for the fourth year in a row, employees have bestowed the Bank with the 2019 Top Workplaces honor by the Hartford Courant.

“Fostering a positive workplace culture has always been a top priority. This is more than a job to all of us and that is reflected in the enthusiastic employee feedback,” said Michael Rauh, President & CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank. “We are truly grateful to accept this honor from the Hartford Courant for another consecutive year. We would also like to thank our employees for their support in nominating the Bank.”

The annual Top Workplaces accolades are based on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by Energage, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Fifteen aspects of workplace culture were measured, covering four main areas, including how well employees work together toward a common cause. Employees were asked about company values, whether new ideas are encouraged or if managers help employees learn and grow. Pay, benefits and training also are key questions.

Chelsea Bank employees noted that their contributions both in and out of the office are highly valued and that they are members of a close-knit work family. Many feel proud to perform meaningful work that improves the lives of their neighbors. A tangible example of community support is a $165 donation by the Chelsea Groton Foundation to the worthy cause of each employee’s choice in honor of Chelsea Groton’s 165^th anniversary.

“At Chelsea Groton, we take great care in selecting benefits and initiatives that contribute to our employees’ health and wellbeing,” said Anne Wilkinson, SVP, Director of Human Resources at Chelsea Groton Bank. “We also encourage, celebrate and acknowledge our fellow team members. We’re thrilled to know our team feels appreciated and fulfilled by the work they do.”

While Chelsea Groton offers traditional benefits for employees, the Bank also provides employees the opportunity to partake in a variety of continual education programs, as well as a manager training program. Team members are invited to participate in a wellness program designed with incentives to track and challenge employees in physical, mental, and financial well-being. Community volunteerism, donations and supply drives have also always been a driving factor in bringing the team together.