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residentSmartPower Deans List!


Colgate University Alexander William Hull is a recipi- ent of the Dean’s Award for aca- demic excellence during the 2011 fall term at Colgate University, where Hull is a member of the Class of 2014.


Drew University Andrew J. Somps, East Lyme Katelyn Rose Cusmano, Ledyard Samuel Eli Zorn, Salem Eastern Connecticut State University Morgan Brown , North Stonington


Central Connecticut State University Anthony Turgeon, Mystic North Stonington, Mystic Danielle Cortina, Mystic Emmet Murphy, Pawcatuck


Goodwin College Cristy Canova, Norwich Kimberly Cole, Montville Debbie Gingerella, Norwich Michele Honsberg, Colchester Scott Melville, Lebanon Savoeun Nhem, Quaker Hill Michelle Robinson, Colchester


For a full listing, please visit our website at www.theresident. com/2012/03/14SmartPowerList


residentScholarship


The Groton Rotary Club through its Community Awards Foundation will award a total of $5,000 in academic scholarships in June 2012. A $2,000 scholarship will be presented to a graduating senior from both Fitch Senior High School and the E. T. Grasso- Southeastern Technical High School.


Students may obtain applications for the scholarships at each school’s guidance


counselor office. The deadline for applying for the scholarships is Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The Groton Rotary Club will also award a $1,000 scholarship to an adult, who attends


Three Rivers Community College, and either lives or works in Groton. Candidates interested in applying for this scholarship may contact Cathy Lathrop, Chairman of the Groton Rotary Club Scholarship Committee, at 860.245.5440 for details. The deadline for applying for the adult scholarship is Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The Groton Rotary Club is a community organization dedicated to the theme, “Service


Above Self”, and welcomes new members. Persons interested in joining the club should visit the club’s web site at grotonrotary.org or contact a local Rotarian. A list of Rotary Club members is on the web site. You may also contact Club President Lian Obrey at 860. 445.4663 or e-mail her at Lianobrey@aol.com.


March 14 ~ March 27, 2012 the Resident 860.599.1221 www.theresident.com facebook.com/TheResident. residentNature Center


Maggie Jones, Executive Director Of Denison Pequotsepos has Much to Celebrate—Naturally!


story & photo by Anna Trusky


T


he Mystic shoreline is unparalleled for the diversity and beauty of its natural


landscape — and Maggie Jones, Executive Director of the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC), is doing everything she can to ensure that it remains that way for many generations to come. A lifelong resident of Mystic, Jones just celebrated her 20-year anniversary of taking the helm at the DPNC, but she had a “soft spot in her heart” for the Nature Center long before she was hired there.


“I feel like I’ve always been involved with the Nature Center in some way. I grew up in Old Mystic, where the fields and forests were my playground,” she explains. “In second grade, we took a class trip to the Nature Center, and I was thrilled to learn the names of the plants and animals I knew and loved.” To pursue her love of nature, Jones


went to Connecticut College and earned a degree in botany; she also studied ornithology and landscape ecology. In her early 20’s, she worked as a seasonal employee at the Center and helped with summer programs, school groups, and fundraising. Finally, in 1992, the Center was seeking a new executive director, and a board member suggested that she apply; it turned out to be a great suggestion.


“The idea intrigued me, and the timing was good because all my children were in school,” Maggie says. After several interviews, she was hired. “I was thrilled to have the opportunity


resident On the Street


Matt Lyon Groton


“Getting my boat ready.”


Miriam Johnson asks area


residents: “Early Spring flowers are blossoming, what is your favorite Spring activity? ”


Mark Grabherr Groton


“I like to go fishing.”


Julie Manfredi Westerly


“I’m going to Haiti to help out orphans.”


Adrian Haupt Groton


“Fishing and camping at Green Falls.”


Richard Stevens Groton


“Planting gardens and taking bike rides.”


Leoarnd Medialla Groton “Taking walks with my dog.”


Rob Mckinney Groton


“I enjoy working out.”


Joe Cetrone Westerly


“I like to swim.”


A lifelong resident of Mystic, Maggie Jones just celebrated her 20-year anniversary of taking the helm at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.


to share my passion for nature and the outdoors with others—particularly children—and to help shape the future of this wonderful organization.” And shape it she has. Maggie’s first, multipronged, challenge was to rekindle regional enthusiasm for the Center, boost its membership, and get it back on track financially. She accomplished this task with flying colors: “When you’re enthused about something, it’s not hard to get others excited about it,” Maggie points out. Over the last two decades, membership has grown, along with the roster of programs and events offered for children and adults alike—such as hikes, guided walks, birding, and trips. For the public, the DPNC has many interesting, entertaining, and educational activities planned for this spring and summer. For example, there will be a Concert for Conservation on Sunday, April 1, at the Union Baptist Church in Mystic, with a performance by violinist Hilary Castle of Mystic and pianist Raymond Wong. Earth


Day, April 21, will bring A Celebration of Birds. On May 7, the new Oyster Club in Mystic will host Green Trees and Blue Seas, a luncheon focusing on local sustainability. There will also be summer nature camps for kids ages 3 through 15.


On March 28, Jones will be leading


a lecture, “Views Across the River: the Histories and Mysteries of the Peace Sanctuary and Coogan Farm” for the Mystic River Historical Society; the DPNC is the steward of the Peace Sanctuary. For information on the talk, call 860.536.4779.


The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center is always looking for new members and volunteers. For more information about the DPNC and its upcoming schedule of activities, go to www.dpnc.org or call 860.526.1216. To post your comments, visit


www.theresident.com2012/03/14/ MaggieJones or follow us on Twitter @Resident_News


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