West Hartford BNI annual toy drive for HARC

WEST HARTFORD>>CT Business Networkers, the active BNI (Business Networkers International) chapter of West Hartford is proud to continue their tradition of donating toys to HARC during the holiday season, according to Fred Stula, Associate Director of Development at HARC, "the gifts are for the children at Camp Bulova and the Woodland Avenue group home Holiday Parties. Santa, will be played by John Birch, owner of The Birch Group in Farmington, a former CT Business Networker, who will be handing out toys and visiting with the children."

 

"HARC is this chapter's favorite non-profit. They stretch every dollar to provide the best support, education, and advocacy to people with intellectual disability and their families. The chapter is proud to continue to the tradition, which started in 1997, of donating toys to HARC's participants during the holidays." States Henry Mondschein President of CT Business Networkers and Managing Associate at the Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services Group located in West Hartford.

 

Photo Captions: Front Row (L to R) Dr. Jessica Tagliarini, Bob Wild, Betty Feigenbaum, Attorney William O'Connor, Attorney David Purvis. Back Row (L to R) John Lane, Jim Smith, Henry Mondschein, Eric Hartung, Braulio Alvarez, David Simmons, Mandy Straight, Paul Stansel.

 

About BNI

BNI was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner. It's the largest business networking organization in the world and has over 6,440 chapters. Last year alone, BNI generated 7.1 million referrals resulting in over 3.3 billion dollars for its members. BNI's mission is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive, and professional "word-of-mouth" program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.

 

The local chapter of BNI in West Hartford is called CT Business Networkers which has been active since 1997 and meets every Friday morning at St. James Church in West Hartford. If you're interested in attending one of the meetings or getting more information on the chapter please visit www.ctbusinessnetworkers.com or call 800-801-3996.

 

About HARC

HARC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual disability and their families. It was founded in 1951 by families, long before community services were available and institutionalization was the only option. HARC remains a strong advocate for civil rights and opportunities, and a major provider of clinical and supportive programs that span the entire lifetime: early intervention (Birth-to-Three), family support, respite care, employment and day services, residential, recreation and elderly services.

HARC is a Community Investment Partner of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and serves Greater Hartford.

For further information about HARC go to the website: www.harc-ct.org <http://www.harc-ct.org>

or call 860.218.6047.

Bugbee Yellow Jackets chess team wins at tournament

WEST HARTFORD>>The Bugbee Yellow Jackets closed out the fall semester on a high note, winning the UConn Winter K-8 Scholastic Chess Tournament. The team scored 11 team points and 16.5 overall points, beating 11 middle and elementary school teams, including Hooker Middle/Elementary School in New Haven, whose team included two 1600+ rated seventh graders.

The Yellow Jackets' 11 team points tied the school's best UConn performance to date, which was at the UConn Spring Scholastic in May 2012. The 16.5 overall points, however, and the .589 win rate sets a new overall mark for the team at this venue.
The final result came down to the final round and an amazing come from behind finish.
Bugbee was trailing Hooker by 1.5 team points upon entering the final round. With a pep speech delivered by teammate Sam Lumelsky (grade 3), six participating Bugbee students won their final match and the last drew, going 6-0-1 for round four. Meanwhile, Hooker scored only 2.5 in the round.
With the top four results counting toward the team score, Bugbee added four team points and overtook Hooker's lead. For the second event in a row, the Jackets were tied on team points for first place. But, with a tie-break in Bugbee's favor, the team was awarded First Place.
This is the school's 13th straight team placement and second first place finish of the year.
Individually, the team set a new record as well, sweeping the K-5 Under 700 Section for the first time ever, with Theodore Braiewa (grade 2), winning First Place with 3 points; Connor Farquhar (grade 4) Second Place with 2.5; Samuel Aronow (grade 4) Third Place with 2.5; and Jake Lumelsky (grade 1) with the Top Upset award.
Sam Lumelsky (grade 3) led the team scoring with 3 points in the K-5 Open, earning Third Place in the higher section after a three way first place tie was decided on tie breaks. Ethan Striff-Cave (grade 3) added two wins, and Caitlin Striff-Cave (grade 3) another 1.5 points to the overall score.
The UConn win was remarkable as Bugbee's average rating was at least 700 points below Hooker, and 400 points below third place Farmington-Plainville Public Library Chess Club.

KO student earns equestrian honors

WEST HARTFORD>> – Avery Sutton, the daughter of Sheila and Trevor Sutton, MD, of West Hartford, recently won a prestigious horseback-riding competition.

An 8^th grader at Kingswood Oxford School, Sutton placed first in the children's equitation division of the Connecticut Hunter & Jumper Association, which included about 75 competitors and was based on points accumulated from Dec. 1, 2012 through Nov. 30. She captured the lead in the first month of the contest and never let it go.

Sutton has been riding since age 4 and currently trains at Well-a-Way Farm in Simsbury.

Resident to compete with Ethics Bowl Team

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— West Hartford resident Jordan Stanley will compete with the Illinois Wesleyan Ethics Bowl team at the National Ethics Bowl competition in Jacksonville, Fla. in February 2014.

   The Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, a team competition that integrates originality and resourcefulness, presents students with troubling and complex ethical issues that are present in today's society. For the competition, students must argue and defend their innovative moral assessments of and responses to these issues.
 
The qualifying team includes senior Ben White, junior Anh Dao, sophomore Steph McAtee and first-year students Brigitta Jakob and West Hartford resident Jordan Staley. Seniors Jaret Kanarek, Jake Bates, Stephanie Fenty, Kent Larson and Jamal Smith constitute the other IWU team, which was a key element to the qualifying team's success. First-year student Duc Nguyen has also helped with the team's preparation.

The teams' coaches are Emily Kelahan, assistant professor of philosophy, and Andy Engen, assistant professor of philosophy.

Kelahan highlighted the diversity of IWU's teams. The professor said the participating students are from a variety of academic majors and an assortment of grade levels. They also participate in a wide range of sports and extracurricular activities, and no two students on the qualifying team are from the same state.

JTCares about stamping out hunger

GREATER HARTFORD>>It takes 26 teens + hard work + lots of ingredients = 86 apple and pumpkin pies donated to Hands on Hartford for Thanksgiving meals. Teens met at Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor on Nov. 24 to learn about the issue of hunger in our community and to do something to help out. 

Mitzi Young, JTConnect faculty member, helped the teens look at the new faces of hunger and together, they discovered that those faces are all around them. Teens understood that, as they baked the pies, they fulfilled the Jewish obligation to feed the hungry and helped those who live in our community who might struggle with food insecurity. At the end of the program, the teens created a human Hanukkah Menorah and lit one candle for each of 8 myths about hunger. 

Give Back to the Community! Make a Difference in the World! These are the cornerstones of Jewish Teen Learning Connection's (JTConnect) monthly JTCares program.  Teens in grades 8 through 12 meet on selected Sunday afternoons from 1 – 4 p.m. for "lunch and learn" followed by a social action project.  Community service certificates are issued at the end of each program. The cost is $36 per session.  JTCares is supported by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.

JTConnect is a learning and social community that offers a rich experience for teens, enhancing their connection to Jewish heritage, traditions and values. The program is designed for students in 6^th through 12^th grades. Synagogue membership is not required.

NWC Student wins Year of Faith essay contest

West Hartford – Northwest Catholic senior Christopher Gosselin, son of Gregory and Rita Gosselin of West Hartford, has been selected as the high school Grand Prize winner of the Archdiocese of Hartford's "Fun in Faith" essay contest. The contest was held as part of the Archdiocese's celebration of the Year of Faith in the Catholic Church. Christopher's winning essay was described as showing "thoughtful expression to his spirituality." He will receive a $500 scholarship to be used toward school tuition costs.

"I am pleased for Chris because Chris tries to live out his faith every day and have fun doing it," said Principal Margaret Williamson. "He is a role model for young people."

Since 1961, Northwest Catholic's mission has been to educate the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and soul. Enrollment for the Class of '18 is now under way, and prospective students are invited to the take the Entrance Exam at Northwest Catholic on December 7, 2013. For more information, contact Andrew Selig (860-236-4221, x140 or aselig@nwcath.org).

Caption: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dale Hoyt congratulates Christopher Gosselin '14 and Principal Margaret Williamson.

Evergreen fundraiser for MS at Hale Hill Farm

West Hartford residents Robb and Nancy Barnum take a moment to pose with their three sons, Devan, 11, Kyle, 9, and Ryan, 5, after purchasing an evergreen tree at the 9th annual Hale Hill Farm Charity Day, which took place in Portland on Saturday, Dec. 7. Ric and Kim Hosley own Hale Hill Farm. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of evergreen trees benefit the couple's charity of choice, this year the fight against multiple sclerosis. Hale Hill Farm guests choose to either cut their own tree or select one from more than 100 pre-cut trees. The event featured hayrides, a blazing bonfire, live band and ribs, steak, burgers and chicken, prepared and donated by Artie Balch, of Torrington and homemade clam chowder, prepared and donated by Dane Deleppo, of Thomaston. The Hale Hill Farm Charity Day attracted residents from across Connecticut, raising more than $7,000. For more information on Hale Hill Farm and the annual Charity Day, visit www.halehillfarm.com. For more information on multiple sclerosis, its effects and the many ways to help make a difference, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org.

Judy Stazola and her grandson, Cameron Gregory, 10, warm by the bonfire just before purchasing an evergreen tree at the 9th annual Hale Hill Farm Charity Day, which took place in Portland on Saturday, Dec. 7. Stazola and Gregory reside in West Hartford. Ric and Kim Hosley own Hale Hill Farm. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of evergreen trees benefit the couple's charity of choice, this year the fight against multiple sclerosis. Hale Hill Farm guests choose to either cut their own tree or select one from more than 100 pre-cut trees. The event featured hayrides, a blazing bonfire, live band and ribs, steak, burgers and chicken, prepared and donated by Artie Balch, of Torrington, and homemade clam chowder, prepared and donated by Dane Deleppo, of Thomaston. The Hale Hill Farm Charity Day attracted residents from across Connecticut, raising more than $7,000. For more information on Hale Hill Farm and the annual Charity Day, visit www.halehillfarm.com. For more information on multiple sclerosis, its effects and the many ways to help make a difference, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org.

 

HHNE student to become Senate Page

Miriam Young, 16, a junior at Hebrew High School of New England (HHNE) in West Hartford, CT, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Senate Page Program in Washington, D.C.

Appointed by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Young will join 29 other accomplished students from around the country in the spring Page session from February to June 2014. 

Young, the daughter of Michael Young and Ruth Alcabes of West Hartford, has been interested in politics since she was a youngster, most particularly in its history and in policy, she says. She acknowledges that this is a very important time to be in Washington, D.C., to have a first-hand view of procedures and policies and to return with a more in-depth understanding of government and politics which will be of great importance as she pursues her higher education. "I'm honored to have the incredible opportunity to witness history up close, and I am so excited to have a new and interesting experience in our nation's capital."

Young (HHNE Class of 2015) presently has a dual curriculum of general and Judaic studies. She has taken AP Government and Politics and is currently taking AP U.S. History, among other challenging courses.

Although the over 100-year old Senate Page program is non-partisan, the pages traditionally are divided to serve the party that appointed them; 16 for the majority and 14 for the minority.

When the Senate is in session, pages typically attend school from 6:15 A.M. to 9:45 A.M. Some of the Page duties include delivery of correspondence and legislative materials within the Capital, prepping the Senate Chamber for session, taking messages for Senators, and carrying bills and amendments from the presiding officer's desk. Pages are required to work into the early hours of the morning in cases of important business, filibusters and emergency situations.

"Miriam is enthusiastically civic-minded and her selection as a Senate Page will enable her to fulfill her passion for government and politics. I know that this will be a wonderfully educational experience for Miriam and it will enable her to further her ambitious aspirations," says Rabbi Daniel Loew, Head of School of HHNE.

                                                                                 

Young is currently an intern for the Democratic State Central Committee in Hartford, developing youth resources, assisting with the coordination of social media, participating in outreach and conducting research. This year she is also serving as Chief of Staff of the national board of the High School Democrats of America. She previously was an intern for the Field Office of the Democratic Campaign Headquarters in West Hartford during the Obama 2012 campaign. In 2012, she was also selected to participate in a two-week long symposia at the RNC and DNC Jewish Teen Leadership Conference.

In addition to her accelerated studies, Young is a Hebrew school teacher for grades 3-7 at Congregation Beth Am in Windsor, CT, teaching Ethics, Jewish Life Cycle and Jewish Culture as well as a youth counselor at the Young Israel of West Hartford. She is active in the youth theatre program at the Jewish Community Center in West Hartford and plays Varsity Girls Soccer for HHNE.

West Hartford adult education holds graduation ceremony

The West Hartford Adult Education Adult Education Program held its annual high school completion graduation ceremony at the Town Hall auditorium on November 13.  The ceremony honored twenty-five adult learners who finished the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) and ten students who earned a GED diploma certificate from the State of Connecticut.

Board of Education member Terry Schmitt first addressed the graduates briefly, noting that the education they have obtained through hard work can never be taken away from them.  Board member Mark Zydanowicz recounted his own path of education, work and armed service participation, learning at each step of the way that education is a never-ending process.   

Graduating student Tamia Murray gave a heartfelt speech about his life journey and the many difficulties he has come through to get to a new path that education allows him to pursue.

This was the twentieth graduation ceremony for the NEDP program in West Hartford, which allows adults to work one-on-one with an advisor on a series of assignments and activities that demonstrate mastery of high school-level material.  The program expanded last year with the help of a State of Connecticut grant to allow residents of eight surrounding towns to also participate in the West Hartford program.  

 This year graduates included residents of Farmington and Bloomfield.

WMGNA gets honorable mention with BBB web award

Wealth Management Group of North America (WMGNA) was awarded Honorable Mention for the Website Marketing Message Award from the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut at their annual meeting.  

The Website Marketing Message Award recognizes a business' website that:

• Exemplifies ethical marketing by meeting all of the BBB's standards of advertising and selling practices.
• Educates consumers by offering detailed information about products, services, and/or industry.
• Posts a clear and easy to understand privacy policy.

The financial services industry has strict guidelines of what is acceptable to put on websites.  WMGNA has conformed to these guidelines while giving consumers the most information possible to make an educated decision when choosing a private wealth advisor. WMGNA was one of three companies out of an accredited group of 4,800 businesses in the BBB to receive this award.  Daniel J. Friedman, CEO of WMGNA, attended the BBB's annual meeting to accept the award.

WMGNA was founded in 1995 by Daniel J. Friedman, CEO and Brian P. Beck, President & CFO.  It was established as a "one-stop" tax and financial management group that assisted individuals and small businesses in coordinating all of their financial matters, saving them money on taxes and unnecessary expenses, de-junking and de-stressing their lives, and assisting them in making smart choices with their money.  WMGNA continues a distinctive fee-based program that allows for unbiased strategic wealth planning from an independent, cohesive team of professionals including CPA's, lawyers, bankers, insurance professionals and money managers.  Visit www.wmgna.com to learn more.

Resident tapped to join Halloran & Sage

Myles Alderman has joined the firm of Halloran & Sage, LLC, as chair of its Bankruptcy, Creditors' Rights and Restructuring Practice Group.  Myles will continue to focus his practice in the areas of Business Bankruptcies, Chapter 11 Reorganizations, Creditors' Rights and Commercial Litigation including Commercial Foreclosures, Lender Liability Litigation, Arbitrations & Mediations.  Industries with which Alderman has experience include, construction, design, fashion, manufacturing, distribution, materials handling, retail, aviation and ground transportation.  

For the past 22 years Myles was managing partner of Alderman & Alderman, a firm he founded in Hartford, Connecticut with his wife.   Under Myles' leadership, Alderman & Alderman grew to a firm with offices in Hartford and New York City known for its representation of clients from across the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom, China and Japan in matters ranging from fairly simple contract disputes, and franchise arbitrations to complex international intellectual property disputes in Chapter 11 reorganizations.

Alderman is a member of the Business Bankruptcy Law Section of the American Bar Association.  He is a member of the Business Bankruptcy Section of the American Bankruptcy Institute. Myles is also a member of Executive Committee of the Commercial law and Bankruptcy Section, the Connecticut Lawyer magazine's Advisory Committee and the Professionalism Section of the Connecticut Bar Association. His published works on the subject include the Bankruptcy Law Chapter of the Connecticut Lawyers Deskbook (CBA, 2008) and Chapter 11 Business Reorganizations: For Business Leaders, Accountants And Lawyers  (Outskirts Press, 2006).    

Dressed to the Nines gets bigger space in Center

WEST HARTFORD – Dressed to the Nines Custom Clothing, a custom men's boutique, recently upgraded its space in West Hartford Center and relocated to 1000 Farmington Avenue, the site where La Perla Jewelers had most recently occupied.

The high-end men's boutique, owned by third generation clothier Bob

DeGemmis, features upscale custom men's clothing lines, as well as the new addition of ready-wear clothes.  Since everything can be customized, Dressed to the Nines Custom Clothing often caters to men that want to express their unique style through clothing or simply have trouble finding their correct fit off the rack.

 "The new expanded space will allow us to carry more off the rack options, as well as feature a larger area for clients to come in, browse, and discuss their clothing needs with me,"
said DeGemmis.

Dressed to the Nines Custom Clothing will be featuring a series of VIP events throughout the month of December where grand opening specials will be available all month. For more store hours or more information, please call 860-236-4637 or visit online at www.dressedtotheninescustomclothing.com.

Photo: Bob DeGemmis at his recent ribbon cutting with members of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce)

Keating Agency adds new agent to staff

The Michael J. Keating Agency, Inc. is recently added insurance agent David A. Minor to its staff.

Minor, a Burlington native, joined the Keating Agency in April and recently completed his training. He will help expand the agency's presence in the Burlington/Farmington/Avon area while still providing the high-quality, personalized service that is the hallmark of the local, independent insurance agency.

"Honesty, integrity, and trust are the core values of the Keating Agency," said owner Michael F. Keating.  "When I met David, I knew he was someone who understood those values and could live up to them."

Minor attended Tunxis Community College, owned the Coming Attractions Video Store in Burlington for 14 years, and is active in the Congregational Church of Burlington. He has also participated in fundraising for breast cancer and autism charities, as well as fundraising for the Wounded Warriors Project.

"I've worked at places that were all about the bottom line," Minor said.  "But I wanted something real, where honesty and trust were valued. I have found that at the Keating Agency."

Mike Keating said one of the most important roles agents at the Keating Agency fulfill is to advocate on behalf of clients from the start of the quote process to the filing of a claim.  Keating said he believes Minor will do this and more.

The Keating Agency has been a local, independent insurance agency in West Hartford for 44 years.

West Hartford Art League hosts networking event

.
WEST HARTFORD, CT – The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and West Hartford Art League hosted a successful Business after Hours event on Thursday, November 14.

West Hartford Art League Director, Roxanne Stachelek and WHAL Board President, Herman Cortes Barrios were both present for the evening.  90 local business professionals and Chamber Members also attended for unlimited networking opportunities. Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers provided by La Petite France Bakery and refreshments courtesy of Maximum Beverage.
The West Hartford Chamber is over 400 members strong and offers many networking and community events, as well as exclusive discounts.  All are encouraged to visit our website to learn more about Chamber benefits.

For more information, please visit www.explorewesthartford.com.

 

Photo Credit : Herman Cortes Barrios, Roxanne Stachelek, Cindy Cicchetti, Barbara Kreitner and Maryellen Milio

West Hartford teacher gets the tour with Broadway star

WEST HARTFORD – The writing was on the wall back in high school.

When Sara Chase was a student at Kingswood Oxford, she immersed herself in the creative arts:

She sang with the Concert Chorus, the Madrigals, and Graffiti (a vocal jazz group). She had the lead in the musical for all four years. And she was named "Most Theatrical" when she graduated from KO in 2000.

"I always predicted to my colleagues that someday she would be on Broadway," said Richard

Chiarappa, KO's Director of Orchestras – one of Chase's two favorite teachers of all time, according to an interview she gave to Broadway.com.

Chiarappa's prediction came true, and earlier this month, Chase – the daughter of Sandra and Arnold Chase of West Hartford -- gave her former teacher a backstage tour of Broadway's Longacre Theater, where she is starring as Grandma Ida in the romantic comedy, "First Date."

"It's a very 'now' show, very contemporary and really funny!" said Chiarappa, who also directs the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, which often performs at KO"s Roberts Theater. "It's a real kick seeing one of our own up there in lights."

Community leaders mingle at CMHA annual meeting

More than 165 guests, including community leaders, state legislators, donors, staff and funders, attended Community Mental Health Affiliates' (CMHA) Annual Meeting on November 19 at The Baltic in Berlin, CT.

The event featured CT State Representative Cathy Abercrombie as a guest speaker and video testimonials from clients whose lives have been changed by CMHA.  President & CEO Ray Gorman and Chairman of the Board Nick Pettinico  announced 2014 Board of Directors officers and presented awards to staff and individuals who have made a difference in the lives of CMHA's clients over the past year.

 

Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA) is a private non-profit provider of mental health and substance abuse treatment. CMHA is headquartered in New Britain, with 17 locations in 4 cities and towns throughout northwest and central Connecticut. CMHA provides treatment for more than 5,971 children, adolescents and adults each year. Visit cmhacc.org to learn more.

Photo: CMHA Board Members Stan Klukowski of Howard Financial in West Hartford and Regan Traub of The Human Resource Consortium in New Haven celebrate at CMHA's Annual Meeting on November 19 at The Baltic in Berlin.

Photo: Newly elected CMHA Board Member Bill Riiska, an attorney in Lakeville; CMHA Board Member and Senior Director

Rockledge Men’s Club tourney benefits food pantry

WEST HARTFORD>> The Rockledge Men's Club held a special tournament at the Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford to benefit the West Hartford Food Pantry.  The event raised $560, which was recently presented to the Food Pantry by Club President Bob King. 
King said, "This tournament was the perfect way to end our tournament season.  Every member who participated was very enthusiastic about supporting the cause which made the competition even more exciting."
Membership in the Rockledge Men's Club is open to all residents of West Hartford and non-residents as well. The Rockledge Men's Club, which welcomes golfers of all abilities, offers an outstanding opportunity to play competitive golf at West Hartford's superb Rockledge Golf Club, as well as to meet some of West Hartford's finest residents. For more information visit the Club's website at www.rockledgemensclub.com

Mercy Giving Tree Project collects donations for the homeless

WEST HARTFORD—During the month of December, The Mercy Community honors its mission to care for the poor with its Mercy Giving Tree Project and commemorative service for those who are living or who died while homeless. 

Beginning Monday, December 2, baskets were placed at the main entrances to Saint Mary Home (2021 Albany Avenue) and The McAuley (275 Steele Road.)  The Mercy Community asks that visitors donate warm winter outerwear including hats, gloves, mittens, scarves; soaps and other personal care items to its annual Mercy Giving Tree campaign.  All collected goods will be distributed to people in need at the Salvation Army's Marshall House in Hartford and St. Elizabeth House, also in Hartford.

On Saturday, December 21, The Mercy Community will join with organizations and spiritual communities around the United States in commemorating National Homeless Persons Memorial Day.  The Mercy Community's 4:00 p.m. Liturgy will be offered for all who live or who died homeless in the Archbishop John F. Whealon Chapel of Our Lady of Mercy at Saint Mary Home.  All are welcome.

During this Mass, Father Kelechi, chaplain for The Mercy Community, will bless those donations of outerwear and personal hygiene products donated to The Mercy Community's Mercy Giving Tree Project.  Once blessed, the items are distributed to Marshall House and St. Elizabeth House before Christmas.  Those attending the Liturgy are welcome but not required to bring such items with them as donations.

Saint Mary Home is located at 291 Steele Road in West Hartford (GPS address).  For more information on the Mercy Giving Tree Project or the National Homeless Persons Memorial Day event, please contact Christine M. Looby, Director of Community Relations, at 860.570.8305 or clooby@mchct.org, and for more on The Mercy Community and their services offered to seniors please visit www.TheMercyCommunity.org.

Perfect Promotion makes new marketing hire

WEST HARTFORD>>The Perfect Promotion, a leading expert in sourcing and producing quality promotional products and imprinted apparel, has recently added Nicole Francis to its staff as a marketing coordinator.

Francis is responsible for creating innovative and effective promotions, overseeing sponsor programs and  managing social media channels.

"Nicole's vast understanding of brand and experience in supporting regional and national brands makes her an asset to our team" said Jody Ferrer President/CEO. "We are very excited to have Nicole onboard at this very exciting time of growth for The Perfect Promotion."
 
Francis previously worked as an account executive for ReviewTree, LLC, a startup company specializing in positive online presence for local businesses, and as a public relations assistant at Cronin and Company, a full service PR agency that was named Hartford CT's Top PR firm in 2012. 

Francis received a bachelor's degree in Public Relations from Quinnipiac University.

Local leader inducted into Continuing Education Hall of Fame

HARTFORD – Dolores (Doe) Hentschel, vice president, Leadership Greater Hartford, was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame.
Hentschel was presented with her award by Mary Alice Wolf, Professor Emeritus at University of Saint Joseph, on Tuesday November 19th in Orlando, Florida. The Hall of Fame recognizes scholars, practitioners and policy makers who have had a significant impact on the field of adult and continuing education and whose work has influenced the direction and scope of the field itself. Only 200 individuals worldwide have been recognized since the Hall of Fame was established in 1996.
  "I am honored and humbled beyond words by this recognition," Hentschel said.  "The people who wrote the books I studied, the people who mentored me early in my career, are in the Hall.  At the induction ceremony, I was reminded of what draws us to this field of work:  we help adults learn and change so that they can be all that they can be. To be recognized as one who has modeled the way for others in the field is a powerful affirmation of my life."
For four decades, Doe Hentschel has developed transformative, creative, and pioneering continuing education programs and policies. As a strategist, collaborator, and innovator, she has distinguished herself in multiple settings. A leader and visionary in the field of adult education, Dr. Hentschel has consistently initiated, pioneered, and administered unique and internationally acclaimed outreach to diverse populations. While her legendary leadership has been far-reaching, Hentschel's local claim to  fame was as the Dean of Extended and Continuing Education at the University of Connecticut from 1986 to 1995.  She was responsible for revitalizing many of the programs of the Extended and Continuing Education division, and for pioneering a Center for Learning in Retirement and the Community School of the Arts.  Under her leadership, the Bachelors of General Studies Degree program for adult re-entry students became the fourth largest degree program a the university.
A long-time resident of Willimantic, CT, Dr. Hentschel recently moved to Hartford and has spent the past 13 years at Leadership Greater Hartford, initially as the Director of the ground-breaking Third Age Initiative, an award-winning program for developing, engaging, and connecting older adults in meaningful ways in the community.  In 2008, Dr. Hentschel became Vice President, and in that role she oversees all the programs at Leadership Greater Hartford.
Hentschel has served as an international consultant, curriculum innovator, manager, evaluator, leadership expert, and academic administrator within a wide range of organizations. Respected by adult development and continuing education experts, she has worked with policy developers, practitioners, and leaders in group dynamics, adult reentry and degree completion, aging programs, volunteer leadership, and training.
Dr. Hentschel has been the recipient of multiple awards in the field of adult and continuing education and has contributed more than 50 published articles, chapters, and research papers.  A leader in curriculum design for community leadership training, she has drawn on her expertise to enrich and expand community leadership programming for people of all ages.
Leadership Greater Hartford is the most comprehensive nonprofit community leadership organization in the country. It offers leadership training to individuals ranging from high school age to retirees, with community service projects featured in nearly all of its programs.  These projects and the program graduates continue to have lasting impact in the Hartford region.  For more information about how to be a participant or sponsor with Leadership Greater Hartford, call 860-951-6161 (x18), email info@leadershipgh.org, visit www.leadershipgh.org, or like it on Facebook.

Town & Country Club speakers embrace Shakespeare

 

Humphrey Tonkin, president emeritus of the University of Hartford and director of Presidents' College at the university, and Darko Tresnjak, artistic director at Hartford Stage, recently spoke at a Town & County Club dinner on November 20. Their talk, "From Page to Stage," embraced a shared passion for Shakespeare.

Photo: Dinner co-chair Pat Salner, Humphrey Tonkin, Darko Tresnjak, Marjorie Berger, and Dinners Committee Chair Judy Murray. The Town & County Club is a private member-owned Club in Hartford's West End. Photo by Gay Ayers.

 

Intensive Education Academy STARS gala a big success

WEST HARTFORD>>The Intensive Education Academy, Inc., located at 840 North Main Street, West Hartford, announced this week that their annual 'STARS, An Evening of Celebration' charity event held November 9 at Tumble Brook Country Club raised over $50,000 to support the programs and services offered at the school.  IEA, founded in 1971 and known as "the school built on love", offers programs and services to students with disabilities to help them reach their potential and become all they are meant to be - responsible and productive members of society.

CPAs present grants to West Hartford universities

Representatives of the Educational Trust Fund of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA) recently presented grants to the accounting departments and student organizations at the University of Hartford and the University of Saint Joseph.  These awards were given during an annual joint dinner meeting of the CTCPA Educational Trust Fund and the CTCPA Student Outreach and Career Awareness Committee held recently at Cascade in Hamden.

 

The Educational Trust Fund exists to help tomorrow's CPAs today. It does so by providing financial support directly to students, accounting departments, and accounting clubs at Connecticut colleges and universities recognized by the Connecticut State Board of Accountancy.

 

The Connecticut Society of CPAs is celebrating more than 100 years of service to membership and community alike.  CTCPA has a membership of almost 6,000 individuals in public practice, business and industry, government, and education.  Its function is to advocate on behalf of the accounting profession, foster a professional community among CPAs, and provide continuing education opportunities as well as a comprehensive peer review program and a variety of membership services for CPAs in Connecticut.

 

Photos: CTCPA Educational Trust Fund Chair Dennis Cole, CPA (right) presents grants to the University of Hartford Accounting Department, Accounting Society, and Beta Alpha Psi chapter.  Accepting the awards are University of Hartford representatives (from left) Assistant Professor of Accounting J. Donald Warren and student Robert Meerman.

 

CTCPA Educational Trust Fund Trustee Dick Dumont, CPA (right) presents grants to the University of Saint Joseph Accounting Department and Accounting Club.  Accepting the awards are University of Saint Joseph representatives (from left) Associate Professor Steven Jarett, CPA, Assistant Professor of Business Administration Marie Kulesza, CPA, and student Rachel Liberty.