Find out what’s going on in the local business community

EMPLOYMENT

Michael McPherson, longtime resident of Old Lyme, recently joined the Connecticut law firm Halloran Sage. He practices appellate law, health care law and insurance defense. He earned his JD from Quinnipiac University School of Law, and his BS from the University of Connecticut. Halloran Sage has offices in Hartford, Danbury, Middletown, New Haven, New London and Westport, as well as a branch in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www. halloransage.com.

Ashley Richard has joined the Westerly Community Credit Union as the assistant financial services manager for the Dunn’s Corners branch in Westerly. She comes to WCCU with over 14 years in the finance industry, most recently from Grossman Chevrolet-Nissan as a Lending Specialist. She lives in New Londona. For more information, visit www. westerlyccu.com.

WORKSHOPS

SCORE will host: “Fundamentals of Starting or Growing Your Business, #3: Marketing and Sales Basics,” Wednesday, Oct. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“Fundamentals of Starting or Growing Your Business, #4: Digital Marketing MustHaves,” Wednesday, Oct. 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Fundamentals of Starting or Growing Your Business, #5: Show Me the Money!”, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

All sessions are free and at United Bank, 654 Long Hill Road, Groton, and presented by Arlene Saffron, Eric Munro and Anne Driscoll. For more information contact Anne Driscoll at anne.driscoll@ scorevolunteer.org.

“How to Use QuickBooks to Manage Your Business Finances (I),” presenter, Elizabeth Santaus, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 10–11:30 a.m., The Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic.

The Women’s Business Development Council will host:

“Personal Finance Counseling,” Samantha Cross, coach, on Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

“So You Want to Buy a Business,” Sharon K. Lewis, instructor, Monday, Oct. 28, 5:307:30 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

“Arts Mean Business: Cultivating the Creative Economy,” Community Coffee Panel Discussion, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 9:30-11 a.m., Café Otis, 80 Broadway, Norwich.

“Let’s Talk Real Estate,” Molly Bruno, instructor, Nov. 8, 9-10:30 a.m., The Velvet Mill , 22 Bayview Ave., Stonington.

Programs are free. Register at www.ctwbdc.org or contact Susan Hackett at shackett@ ctwbdc.org.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will join Chelsea Groton Bank, 391 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington, on Oct. 17, 8-9:30 a.m. for Coffee with the Chamber. There is no cost to attend. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Career Expo on Friday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Blvd., Norwich. The chamber is looking for businesses and manufacturers to meet with students throughout the day. For questions or to attend, contact Angela Adams at (860) 887-1647 or angelaadams@norwichchamber.com. Visit www.norwichchamber.com/events for more details.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT and the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce will host State of the Shoreline at Flanders Fish Market and Restaurant, East Lyme, on Oct. 18, 7:45-9:15 a.m. State of the Shoreline features updates from East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson, Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsynder and Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward. Cost is $12 for members, $20 for nonmembers and includes a continental breakfast. For more information or to register, visit www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT and the Southeastern Cultural Coalition will host a Culture Connects meets Business After Hours at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Oct. 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is $15 for Chamber members and Coalition partners, $25 for nonmembers before Oct. 16, with an additional $5 after. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a Business Breakfast on Oct. 23, 7:45-9:15 a.m., at Latitude 41 in Mystic titled Minding the Skills Gap: Workforce Development, Recruitment, and Retention. The program will include Mark Hill, chief operating officer of the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board. Following the program, a mini-expo of local agencies involved in workforce development will be available for information and networking. Cost is $17 for members, $25 for nonmembers before Oct. 21, with an additional $5 after. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Young Professionals of Eastern Connecticut will gather for a Halloween-themed YPsocial at Mohegan Sun on Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m. To learn more about joining YP or to register for the event, visit www.ypect. com or call (860) 701-9113. YP is sponsored by Keith Turner – Homestead Funding and Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host State of Ledyard with Mayor Fred Allyn III and Superintendent Jason Hartling at Holdridge Home and Garden, 749 Colonel Ledyard Highway, on Oct. 30, 7:45-9:15 a.m. For more information and to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

EVENTS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host its 10th annual Military Appreciation Breakfast on Nov. 1, 7:45-9:15 a.m. at the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa, Groton. There will be performances by the U.S. Navy Silver Dolphins and Fitch High School Chamber Choir. The event is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino. For more information and to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

Chelsea Groton Bank is offering free secure document shredding services to raise awareness about protecting confidential information to avoid identity theft. Shred Days will be held Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-noon, North Stonington Branch, 391 Norwich Westerly Road; and Nov. 16, 9 a.m.noon, Westside Branch, 444 W. Main St., Norwich. For more information, visit www. chelseagroton.com.

GRAND OPENING

Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting at Herbology, 79 Gold Star Highway, Groton, on Oct. 24 at 9 a.m. Herbology is a dispensary owned by the parent company Grassroots Cannabis, which grows and processes “the highest quality medical cannabis products” in Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Dakota.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT celebrates the grand opening of Earth Grown Wellness, 391 Colman St., New London, on Oct. 19. The all-natural, holistic wellness product store will host a BBQ, live DJ and dessert food truck in the parking lot beginning at noon. Store hours are 10 a.m.–10 p.m., entry for ages 21+. The ribbon cutting will be held at 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

CBD American Shaman is having a Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony at10 a.m. Oct. 16, Lu Mac’s Plaza, Route 2, Preston.The store is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Sundays from noon-6 p.m. For more information, visit www.cbdreliefct.com.

EXPANSION

Blissworks Yoga & Healing Arts, 228 State St., New London, will celebrate its expansion on Sunday, Oct. 20, 4-7 p.m. Activities will include a tour of the extended facilities, which include new therapy rooms and a new yoga studio. Free refreshments and soft drinks will be served along with an invitation for guests to bring potluck dish as well as libations. A featured attraction for the day will include a display of artwork from regional artist Charles W. Reyburn, as well as a dance party from 5-7 p.m. Admission for the event is free. Contact Trish at (860) 448-YOGA for more information.

HONORS

William W. Backus Hospital has been named a Baby-Friendly birthing center by Baby-Friendly USA, Inc., a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. The initiative recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. There are more than 20,000 designated Baby-Friendly hospitals and birthing centers worldwide. There are 584 active Baby-Friendly hospitals and birthing centers in the United States.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has earned the top 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial Inc. for its superior financial performance during the first half of 2019. The Florida-based BauerFinancial is the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm. The firm awards its top 5-Star rating only to those financial institutions that excel in their capital, asset quality, profitability and other financial areas. For more information, visit www. BauerFinancial.com or www. CharterOak.org.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT welcomes its newest members: Lashes by Lee, LLC; Sistar Mortgage Branch NMLS #1787353; Gibson Capital, LLC; Monro Auto Service; The Animal Experts; Connecticut Carpenters Local 326; Aegis Wealth Partners; and ARCRITE Automation. Visit www.ChamberECT.com for a full Chamber member directory.