If you want to learn about electricity, what better place to go than to your local utility company. That’s what Groton’s local STEM Scouts program decided – turning their quest for knowledge into a masterclass in electricity taught by Groton Utilities’ Electric Division last Wednesday.

STEM Scouts Post 1027, a co-ed program of the Boy Scouts of America, spent the afternoon at the Electric Division Operations Building learning the ins and outs of electricity – with a notable concentration on safety. Steve Schaub, Jake Phillips and Kurt Collelo led the group of children, ranging in age from 8 to 11 years old, through a thorough, interactive program that kept the kids moving and on their toes throughout.

GU Leader Electrician Steve Schaub welcomed the scouts to Groton Utilities and explained a few basics of electricity. Afterwards, the floor was turned over to Journeyperson Lineperson Jake Phillips for the bulk of the afternoon program. Jake explained many fundamentals in electricity using Groton’s unique teaching tool the “Hazard Hamlet”, which allows for the easy-to-understand demonstration of what could happen in different trouble scenarios using a small jolt of electricity to a neighborhood demonstration model. When the kids heard the buzz and saw the spark of electricity in the model, they knew something bad would have happened had the situation been a real-life situation. The Scouts found this educational and, of course, very entertaining.

Further demonstrations included the proper use of linemen gloves, harnesses, how to walk through puddles during dangerous circumstances and a tour of the garage containing all of Groton Utilities Electric Division vehicles.

STEM Scouts Post 1027 is our local division of this national program, consisting of students from grades 3-6. They meet weekly at Claude Chester Elementary School. Elementary STEM Scouts tinker, explore and get creative doing hands-on activities in weekly lab meetings and monthly field trips.

The STEM Scouts program’s mission is using experiential activities and interaction with STEM professionals. The goal of the STEM Scouts program is to help young people grow in character and skills as they explore their curiosity about STEM fields. It is hoped that their growing knowledge will translate into the STEM-related careers that are so crucial to our country’s future economy. It is a coed program of the Boy Scouts of America that offers a scouting experience with less emphasis on the outdoors.

The visit to Groton Utilities was arranged by Matthew Scully, the lab manager of the Groton STEM Scout Post, as part of the post’s four-week laboratory on electricity. There is nothing like learning about real-world topics out in the real world with true professionals, and GU’s Electric Division provided a glimpse into how electricity really works and how to work with it safely.

Bozrah Light and Power now has it’s own Facebook page! You asked and we responded, so we’ve rolled out a separate page just for BLP customers. Now when you get outage information it’ll be just for you. On top of outage information we will continue to post useful information that all customers should have access to, plus information on Groton Utilities events in general. If you want to follow the Bozrah Light and Power Facebook feed follow this link or just search for @bozrahlightandpower.

Groton Utilities presented Ella T. Grasso Technical High School with a lighting rebate check for $85,931 on Friday, December 13, 2019 at a ceremony held in the morning at the Groton-based technical high school. Grasso Tech installed approximately 2,800 new lighting fixtures and associated lighting controls as part of the construction of their state-of-the-art new school facility.

By installing energy-efficient lighting throughout the school Grasso Tech will realize an annual kilowatt per hour (kWh) savings over baseline building code of 184,580 kWh and a lifetime savings of approximately 2,768,700 kWh, saving the school a tremendous amount on its electric bill.

Attending the presentation were (left to right) Groton Utilities Key Accounts General Manager Len Mediavilla, Groton Utilities Commissioner George Scully, Groton Utilities Director Ron Gaudet, State Senator Cathy Osten, Grasso Tech Principal Patricia Feeney and City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick.

Groton Utilities offers residential and business customers a variety of energy conservation programs to help reduce energy costs. These programs are designed to help people reduce energy costs by promoting the installation of more energy efficient lighting, air conditioning, heat pump water heaters, electric motors, and refrigeration solutions.

In addition to these programs Groton Utilities has a rebate program for the acquisition of plug in electric cars and level 2 chargers. Read more about Groton Utilities energy conservation programs on the company website (www.grotonutilities.com) under the Energy Conservation section.

Students began attending classes in the new 226,000 square foot, three story Grasso Tech building in September of this year. Included in the new design are a 300 seat auditorium, a gymnasium, a large hi-tech kitchen, restaurant area, and shops and classrooms for various departments, including automotive repair, IT, digital media, plumbing, electronics, and much more. It is truly a local marvel and landmark facility in the region.

The City of Groton and Groton Utilities are happy to announce the concert schedule for the 2019-2020 City Cabaret concert series.

In a change from previous years we are pleased to announce that we have four concerts on the schedule, instead of the traditional three. The “bonus” concert is a special holiday concert with the very popular regional band The Cartells, to be held on Sunday December 15^th at 3:00 p.m. at the City of Groton Municipal Building. The Cartells will be bringing their usual high level of musicianship and energetic stage show into the holiday season, offering up an array of holiday favorites for all to enjoy.

All concerts are held on Sundays and are performed at the City of Groton Municipal Building Auditorium. Concerts begin at 3:00 p.m. and end at roughly 5:00 p.m.

The full schedule of concerts is as follows:

December 15, 2019 – The Cartells Holiday Concert

January 19, 2020 – Clan O’Cleary

Clan O’Cleary’s music is firmly rooted in the sounds and the instruments of Ireland. Beautifully harmonious in both voices and instruments, from the soft mysticism of New Age Celtic to the raucous songs of the Irish bar band, this is Irish music played with gusto and grace, as it should be.

February 9, 2020 – Azalea Drive Duo

This is the trimmed down and mellowed up version of the popular full band Azalea Drive. Kym and Ron use their magical musical chemistry to bewitch audiences with the best of the last several decades, including Hall and Oates, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars and much more.

March 8, 2020 – Whiskey Wine and Coke

Whiskey Wine and Coke are a musical trio with a male and female lead singer and acoustic guitarist. The band skillfully covers songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and modern country. Through the intimacy of a trio, they engage their audience to experience musical nostalgia while dancing and singing along to timeless favorites!

The City Cabaret concert series is co-sponsored and co-produced by Groton Utilities and the City of Groton Parks and Recreation Department.

Dessert, coffee and bottle water will be available for purchase from the Fitch High School Alcohol and Drug Free Party Committee.

The concerts are free. No alcohol is allowed. The concert info line is (860) 446-4129.