Niantic Bay Boardwalk of East Lyme- Volunteering to fulfill a Dream

In 2004, before the opening of the East Lyme Boardwalk, Bill Rinowski agreed to be in charge of the East Lyme Public Trust’s fund-raising promotion of plaques to be placed on the Niantic Bay Overlook. Bill soon recruited his wife, Fran, who has been the person keeping track of the forms and placing the orders. Bill has done the publicity and assisted in the installation of the boards. Together, they have served the Public Trust in this capacity for 12 years!

When I asked Bill why they were willing to take on this project and continue with it for such a long time, he said, “I believed in the Boardwalk from the beginning, and this project was one contribution that we could do while still working full time-at that point- to make this dream come true. I signed up to see this project through to the completion of the re-built Boardwalk.” Every town should have volunteers with this dependability and perseverance. The Trust presently has 1,617 plaques lining the East End of the Boardwalk. These plaques have come from over 27 states and two foreign countries with a unique story behind every plaque-celebrating weddings, anniversaries, births, and graduations. They express Loss, Sorrow, Laughter and Contentment. Historians will be well served to research this mirror of the Heart and Soul of a small town in Connecticut in the 21st Century.

The Trust has now entered Phase Two of the sponsorships. If you have enjoyed walking the boardwalk, you can be a part of this opportunity to be a permanent part of the Niantic Boardwalk. For a $100 tax deductible contribution you can sponsor a plaque engraved with your personal message, to be placed on the re-constructed West End of the Boardwalk. The foundation uses the money raised from the sponsorship of the boards to contribute to the maintenance of the Overlook.

If you would like to sponsor a board, please download the application form and mail it in with your donation of $100.
http://www.publictrustfoundation.org/elptf.sponsorform.pdf

Don’t miss this opportunity to tell your unique story!

On Saturday, May 28, 2016, at 11 a.m., The East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, in co-operation with The East Lyme Parks and Recreation Department, will sponsor the official Re-Dedication of the East Lyme Boardwalk. The Re-Dedication ceremony, which will be held on the Boardwalk, will feature as key-note speaker, Sen. Paul Formica, former First Selectman of East Lyme. Other speakers will include First Selectman-Mark Nickerson, Public Trust President- Joe Legg, Public Trust Past-President- Bob

DeSanto, Public Trust Vice-President-John Hoye, and Parks and Recreation Director- Dave Putnam.

The East Lyme Public Trust Foundation wants to invite the general public to witness this historic occasion. In addition, they would especially like to encourage the participation of the 200 people who have dedicated benches and the innumerable people who have sponsored plaques. They would also love to welcome all members of the Trust- Past and Present- and all those who originally helped make the Boardwalk a reality.

PARKING for Saturday’s event will be behind St. John’s Church at 400 Main Street (across from The Children’s Museum of SECT). There is a foopath from St. Jon’s to Hole in the Wall Beach and the Boardwalk.

Participants should enter the Boardwalk at Hole-in-the Wall, on Baptist Lane, Niantic. Then, there will be a short walk to the area of the monument where the ceremony will take place.

After the ceremony, participants will have the opportunity to visit “their bench” and re-visit “their plaque”. During and after the dedication, music will be provided by Trust member, Bill Rinoski . This historic occasion will be videotaped, as a public service, by Mike Rydene of Media Potions of East Lyme. High school volunteers will be on hand to greet participants and to help with directions.

Come to celebrate with us this Dream Fulfilled. Go to Facebook- East Lyme Public Trust Foundation- for details. For more information on the Boardwalk explore our web-site-http://www.publictrustfoundation.org