Simpson Healthcare Executives wins “Best Scientific Communications Agency-Connecticut” at the 2017 Business Excellence Awards hosted by Acquisition International Magazine. (PRNewsfoto/Simpson Healthcare Executives)

Simpson Healthcare Executives have announced that they have won “Best Scientific Communications Agency-CT” at the 2017 Business Excellence Awards, presented by Acquisition International Magazine.

Simpson Healthcare is a diverse, scientific strategy and communications agency, founded in 1998 by Kelly Simpson-Angelini, CEO+CSO and located in Old Lyme, that challenges all healthcare stakeholders to think disruptively about change in healthcare. Acquisition International featured Simpson Healthcare in a congratulatory interview in their Winners Supplement for the 2017 Business Excellence Awards.

Simpson Healthcare is honored to have won this prestigious business award at the 2017 Business Excellence Awards, a program that was created to acknowledge the trailblazers of the corporate domain. Their agency is proud to have been designated as one of these leading, esteemed organizations who have demonstrated creativity, commitment, experience, and strong leadership in the modern corporate business climate.

Simpson Healthcare would like to thank their internal teams and their leadership, as they are proud to have the right people on every team; they have created a great, talented culture of learning, science, and innovation that is rooted in the agency’s purpose: to support our clients in sharing the scientific story of the diseases they touch and therapies they discover for all in need.

The Simpson Healthcare team looks forward to the future as they unite to advance science and the discovery and development of the game-changing therapies for their clients, and encourage collaboration among key stakeholders to improve the healthcare experience for patients into the next coming decades.

Acquisition International is a monthly magazine published by AI Global Media Ltd, a publishing house that has reinvigorated corporate finance news and reporting. The magazine has a global circulation, which brings together all parties involved in deal-making and, in an increasingly global deal market, is uniquely positioned to reach the deal-makers that matter. For more information, visit: http://www.acquisition-intl.com/.

Simpson Healthcare Executives is located in Old Lyme, CT and is a global leader in biopharmaceutical marketing and communications, dedicated to driving therapeutic innovations forward. Since 1998, Simpson Healthcare Executives supports their clients in sharing the scientific stories of the diseases they touch and therapies they discover for all in need. For more information on Simpson Healthcare Executives, visit: www.simpsonhealthcare.com.

Life is strange, isn’t it?

Since this past Friday, the threat of a high speed rail route passing under, or perhaps, over our beloved little town has become very real, but astonishingly — in some ways — we have actually received more direct communications about the possibility of “Hooters” moving into town than reactions to the railroad proposal!

We asked Jane Cable, Chair of the Old Lyme Zoning Commission, about the ‘Hooters’ sign (pictured above), which was placed in front of the former Illiano’s on Boston Post Rd. on Friday, and she said categorically, “It’s a hoax,” adding, ” … the banner has been moved around Lyme and Old Lyme.”

So that’s it folks — no ‘Hooters’ in Old Lyme … for the moment anyway!  Now let’s move on to dealing with this train issue and remember we only have 30 days to respond.

Old Lyme Inn owners Ken and Chris Kitchings are looking for someone to take on the restaurant side of the business. (File photo.)

SIDE DOOR JAZZ CLUB AND INN REMAIN FULLY OPERATIONAL WHILE RESTAURANT OPERATIONS ARE RECONFIGURED 

Almost on a whim, Ken and Chris Kitchings purchased the long-neglected Old Lyme Inn in 2011 and then spent a full year renovating the exterior of the main building while also updating and upgrading all systems and décor.  In April of 2012, they opened the restaurant and eight of the 13 rooms and the following year, they opened the remaining five rooms and The Side Door jazz club.

The property is significant covering almost two acres and, apart from the elegant rooms and the extremely popular jazz club, it also features a variety of dining areas. These include a beautiful patio shaded by a large maple tree (40 seats), a bar room (38 seats), a main dining room primarily used for special events (60+ seats) and a small private room (18 seats).

The Side Door is a 75-seat intimate space that includes a full-service bar and showcases world-class jazz musicians every Friday and Saturday night.  Having rapidly established a national reputation, it was a tremendous honor when Downbeat magazine recognized the club in February 2016 as one of the premier jazz clubs in the world.

The Old Lyme Inn is located just seconds away from the I-95 Exit 70 off-ramp.

The Inn enjoys a prime location  moments away from the foot of the I-95 Exit 70 off-ramp, placing it exactly two hours from both Boston and New York. The 13 guest rooms are sold out most weekends with wedding guests in the warm months and attendees of The Side Door jazz club during the remaining months.

With the club, restaurant and guest rooms — not to mention the outstanding central location — there is unquestionably vast potential in the property.  Moreover, the Inn is located directly across the street from the Florence Griswold Museum, which is recognized as the birthplace of American Impressionism.

This past August Ken and Chris were obliged to curtail restaurant service due to a lack of kitchen staff. Both The Side Door and the Inn remain fully operational — special events are being executed as planned, utilizing a skeleton crew of loyal staff.

Chris notes, “Ceasing normal restaurant operations was a very difficult but very necessary decision.”  She comments, “‘Google’ chef shortage and you will see that Connecticut and Southern New England are not alone in the current chef shortage dilemma. Restaurants here and abroad are experiencing difficulty in staffing their kitchens.”

Explaining how she and Ken are hoping to resolve the current situation, Chris says, “We are actively looking for a chef/general manager to take over management of the property. This could be an ideal opportunity for a chef/ manager from New York, Boston or any metropolitan area who would like to establish him or herself (with family) in a wonderful small community.”

But what makes this a unique opportunity for the right person is the “package” that Chris and Ken are offering.  Ken notes, “We are open to suggestions and creative concepts for utilizing this beautiful property. Ultimately, the Old Lyme Inn might become an establishment that is more than a restaurant and inn. The possibilities are limited only by the imagination.”

He concludes, “Our goal remains the same as when we purchased the property — to utilize and operate the entire property to the benefit of the community. We would like to think that the opportunity and support we can offer someone who is willing to work hard is greater than if they were to start a hospitality business from scratch on their own.”