A Great Day For Swimming

To the Editor:

On Sunday, October 21st, the Newtown Torpedo Parks & Recreation Swim Team hosted an Ultimate Technique Swim Clinic featuring Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Lenny Krayzelburg. Over 120 swimmers were able to spend four hours in the pool and on the deck with this elite athlete. What a great day it was for our children and for swimmers here in Newtown!

We must extend our thanks to Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian for all her efforts to have Speedo Fitness sponsor this activity at our pool.

Just five years ago there was no age group swim team here in Newtown. If our children wanted to swim they had to travel to Brookfield, Southbury or Wilton. Today we have a wonderful, family-centered team right here. Our parent volunteers work all the meets, run the parent/child relay night, as well as the team banquet. If Parks & Recreation programs are intended to bring residents together thereby strengthening the community, the Torpedoes certainly met that standard. Clearly, the work of a Parks & Recreation Department goes beyond scheduling activities – it goes to community building and quality of life.

For the third consecutive year there is a waiting list to register for the Torpedoes. While this certainly attests to the success of the program, it also means there are still Newtown residents who cannot participate in their hometown team. Unfortunately, community recreational facilities have not increased to accommodate our growing population. The motto of the Speedo athlete is “Dreams can come true – Never stop believing!” Dare we dream that Newtown children who wanted to participate in an activity might do so here in their own town?

We must also thank our First Selectman, Herb Rosenthal, who accepted our invitation to attend this event and see what an exciting and positive program the town has developed for over 140 Newtown children. It is so important that our elected officials take the time to gain firsthand knowledge of the programs offered by the town. We very much appreciated Mr Rosenthal taking is own time on a weekend to do just that.

The young people of Newtown who shared a Sunday afternoon with Lenny Krayzelburg will not soon forget this unassuming champion of the positive messages regarding respect for parents and coaches, goal setting and work ethic that he delivered.

Sincerely,

Joan Conlon

6 Kelly Court, Sandy Hook                                        October 28, 2001