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By MC3 (SW) Tristan B. Lotz
GROTON, Conn. - Nestled between the Dealey Theater and the base library at Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) in Groton, Connecticut, is a shop with submarine-themed gifts made with the kind of love only a military spouse could muster.
The Dolphin Store sells various Navy- and submarine-themed and motivated gifts, many of which are handmade by the spouses of submariners.
"The store is run by the Submarine Officers Spouses Association (SOSA)," said Kimberlee Beagle, manager of the Dolphin Store. "The majority of the items in the store are made by military spouses. Some are wives of officers, and some are enlisted. At one time they were probably local, but due to the nature of the Navy we’re all kind of spread out in different places now. This particular store has been open since April 1, 1990."
The Dolphin Store may have been established on April Fool’s Day, but its 27 years of service and the passion of its volunteers demonstrate both the store and the organization that run it are no joke.
"It also benefits the children with more than just gifts," said Sareh Ricca, the vice president of charities for SOSA. "It also goes toward a scholarship that any submariner’s children can apply for. I’ve gotten a lot of calls from children of Sailors who have thanked us for supporting them. It’s a really great thing to be a part of. Being a member of SOSA is how I have gotten to know most of my friends. I feel honored to be part of it."
The store carries a number of unique gifts for loved ones of submariners to help bridge the often-difficult emotional gap during underways and deployments.
"We have a lot of different books for sale here," said Beagle. "Underneath it All: A Submarine Bedtime Story" is about deployments! It was actually written by a submariner’s wife who was looking for a book to explain to her kids what Daddy was doing and why he had to go away for long periods, and she couldn’t find a book, so she decided to write one. We also have blankets, and those are super popular! They’re designed by Modern Rosie, a military wife named Becky. She also makes things like pillows, notebooks, tote bags, and so on. They’re all high quality and custom-designed by her."
Many of the goods carried by the Dolphin Store are made using actual pieces of Navy regalia. For example, small bracelets are made from actual submariner pins and boot blousing straps. For especially young future-submariners, the store offers bibs with the dolphins insignia and, ‘Qualified in Making a Mess’ embroidered on them.
SOSA and the Dolphin Store often work hand-in-hand with other military-related organizations and charities to improve life for submariners and their families.
"We’ve worked with the Chief Petty Officers’ Spouses Association and various fleet readiness groups, they’re huge supporters of us," said Beagle. "MWR has given us a lot of help, too. They’ll set up attractions outside our store to help draw attention to it. One time during a festival, they set up an ice cream cart right outside the store. So many people have learned about us thanks to things like that."
The Dolphin Store at SUBASE is unique, but not totally alone. It has counterparts in Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, and Bangor, Washington, as well. And should a loved one find something they like, but not be close to one, the members of SOSA have that covered.
"We have a Facebook page," said Beagle. "There will be people who don’t have a Dolphin Store near them, so they can contact us through our Facebook page and we ship! We do online orders, too."
As the temperature drops and Christmas draws near, those looking to get a submarine-related gift for a loved one can stop by the Dolphin Store at Subase New London, 164 Grayling Avenue, inside Dealey Theater. They can be reached by e-mail at thedolphinstore@gmail.com, and their Facebook is facebook.com/dolphinstore The Dolphin Store is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, go to DolphinScholarship.org.
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2018 11:53 |
| Story ID: | 264089 |
| Location: | GROTON, CONNECTICUT, US |
| Web Views: | 182 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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