BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Smith Brothers Insurance, LLC has purchased the assets of Bayberry Insurance of Groton. Bayberry was founded by Pamela Atkins, CIC in 1989.

Bayberry Insurance will operate as an affiliate of Smith Brothers Insurance and will maintain their Groton office on Fort Hill Road. With headquarters in Glastonbury, Smith Brothers is one of the largest independently operated insurance and financial service organizations in New England, with offices in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Since 2012, Smith Brothers has added affiliates across Connecticut, including: Archambault Insurance in Chester; Atlantic Insurance in Niantic; Carillo & Howland in Windsor Locks and Somers; as well as McMahon Company, Elliott Insurance, and Camilleri & Clarke, in the Greater Hartford area.

Groton Business Association of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly open meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, at Groton Inn & Suites, 99 Gold Star Highway, Groton, at 7:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served. The scheduled guest speaker is newly appointed Town of Groton Chief of Police Louis J. Fusaro Jr.

All Groton Business Association meetings are free and open to the public. The meeting includes time for networking. For more info contact kristin@ mysticchamber.org or visit www.grotonbiz.com.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host the 2015 William Crawford Distinguished Service Award celebration at Foxwoods on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6-9 p.m. This year’s Crawford Award honors the Rev. Michel Belt, pastor of St. James Episcopal Church in New London, and the Rev. Catherine Zall, executive director of New London Homeless Hospitality Center. Rev. Belt and Rev. Zall have demonstrated a commitment to caring for the region’s homeless and the less fortunate. Tickets are $75 per person. Registration is required with payment taken in advance. Learn more & RSVP online at www.ChamberECT.com/crawford or call (860) 701-9113.

James Longo, a Licensed Professional Counselor, has joined Human Relations Counseling Service located at 400 Bayonet St., New London, Suite 202, after serving 35 years at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. He can be reached at (860) 443-4163.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host two ribbon cuttings in the region this week. Join the Chamber on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. to celebrate the Grand Opening of Striking Tela gift shop in Waterford. Striking Tela’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will commence at 4 p.m. Striking Tela is located at 150 Spithead Road, Waterford. Parking is available on Stone Street adjacent to the shop. At 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Waterford Crystal Mall, the chamber will welcome Starbucks’ newest location. Learn more online at www. ChamberECT.com/events or

call (860) 701-9113.

Applications are available for the Old Lyme Area Cable Advisory Council Scholarship. Graduating seniors entering a communications program after high school, and who live in East Haddam, Haddam Neck, Lyme, Old Lyme or Salem, are eligible to apply. Applicants are asked to submit a written essay or video presentation about tourism in their town.

In 2010, the council initiated a scholarship program for graduating seniors from member towns who plan to study communications or in a communications related field after high school. Post- high school studies can include programs in 2 and 4 year colleges, as well as technical programs.

Applications are available through the Guidance Offices of the following High Schools: Hale-Ray, East Lyme (for Salem residents), Lyme-Old Lyme, and Haddam-Killingworth (for Haddam Neck residents). Scholarship applications are due March 31 and official notifications are made by the high schools during Senior Year Award ceremonies.

Realtor Marie Simon has joined the team of Allan Agency, LLC of Waterford. She has 26 years of award-winning sales and customer service experience. She lives in Waterford. The Allan Agency has been providing real estate services in the southeastern Connecticut region for over a decade. The agency is at 10 Magonk Point Road and can be reached at (860) 4449070. (860) 460-7309

Safe Futures, the local domestic violence service provider for New London County, has received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation. With October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, for a total of $3 million. Safe Futures will use the grant funding to provide critical support for operating its many programs, said Catherine Zeiner, Executive Director.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will hold the 6th Annual Military Appreciation Breakfast from 7:45-9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. The Military Appreciation Breakfast features the presentation of the Military Community Support Award to Mike’s Famous Harley-Davidson and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe/Foxwoods Resort Casino, performances by Groton’s Fitch High School choir, a color guard by the U.S. Navy Silver Dolphins, and remarks by senior service representatives from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Army. Admission is $17 for Chamber of Commerce member businesses and their employees and $25 for non-members. Register in advance to avoid a $5 walk-in fee on Nov. 13. Learn more & RSVP online at www. ChamberECT.com/events or call the Chamber of Commerce office at (860) 701-9113.

Send your business news to businessbriefs@theday.com.