Mystic’s streets and wonderful park along the river will be transformed this weekend into a gastronomical glory as we enjoy the third annual “Taste of Mystic.”

This year’s festival will be held September 8th through September 10th on Cottrell Street where more than 30 local restaurants will offer their specialties.  If all the wonderful food is not enough to tempt you – and I cannot imagine anyone who could possibly resist – then the live performances by terrific musicians should draw you to our lovely and lively historic downtown this weekend. I am especially looking forward to the Mohegan Sun Oyster Open – as a spectator, not a participant – in which oyster shuckers will be judged on the speed and quality of their shucking skills.

Taste of Mystic is being brought to us by the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, along with many other sponsors. More information about the festival, participating restaurants, entertainers, and sponsors – and directions – is available at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce website at www.mysticchamber.org. Once you have finished perusing the Taste of Mystic page, you might be interested in staying on the website a little longer to learn about the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

Our Chamber was incorporated in 1954 by merchants like my father, Russell Welles, whose Mayflower Restaurant was the downtown gathering place for many meetings that resulted in establishing the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, the Downtown Merchants Association and was host to the Mystic Lions Club for decades.   The Chamber’s roots go back more than 100 years, making it one of the first organizations in the area to serve the business and industrial community. Today, it is a non-profit, member based organization that fosters and promotes business for its members. As pointed out on the Chamber website, Mystic is not a town so the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce serves as “the unifying voice in a shared community that draws 60 percent of the state’s visitors to the area.”

For example, the Chamber operates a tourism information center at the Mystic Depot Welcome Center, publishes and distributes an annual visitors’ guide, works with several local and state agencies, advocates for legislation as it pertains to business, and advocates on tourism impact issues. In addition, the Chamber works with the Groton and Stonington school systems, and includes them in the business community.

I am proud of the work the volunteers and staff of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce have been offering to our local merchants for decades.  They bring dignity, value and support to those working families in our small businesses as they provide the backbone of our state’s economy.
 
So, please join me this weekend at the Taste of Mystic where I guarantee you’ll enjoy great food, terrific entertainment, the company of wonderful friends, and the knowledge that you’re supporting the efforts of a worthwhile organization that does so much good for our area businesses and our communities.

I am proud to remain your Senator until my term ends in January and my office will remain open to assist you.  As always, I am interested in your thoughts and concerns.  I can be reached at the Capitol at 1-800-842-1421 or you can send me an e-mail at Catherine.Cook@cga.ct.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you.