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 one 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 10 years!
Both of them have had a history of willingness to volunteer to improve our community. Bill, a retired elementary school teacher, still tutors in the E.L. and Waterford school systems. He is also the D.J. who can be heard at many town events. Fran worked for 29 years, before her retirement, for the E.L. Board of Education as an Administrative Assistant at ELHS.
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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.
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We presently have 1,463 plaques lining the East End of the Boardwalk. These plaques have come from over 24 states and two foreign countries. There is 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.
As we enter Phase two of the sponsorships, you can be 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!
