Buoys by the Bay 2024

Teamwork makes the dream work- Buoys by the Bay 2024

The East Lyme Public Trust Foundation would like to thank all of the people who made the Buoys on the Bay project such a success. The East Lyme Main Street Organization was an invaluable partner. Sue Kuro of Mermaid Liquors sold the buoys and collected the finished ones. Laura Westner and Rachel Redding, of Coastal Gifts on Main were also a key component of the project, agreeing to sell the buoys and then receive the finished buoys. Jamco Electric helped with the lighting. Paul Lussier volunteered to build the tree forms. E. L. True Value donated the rope to hang the buoys and Marker 7 Marina cut and fused the rope lengths.

Kathie Lewis Cassidy, President of E.L. P.T.F., helped organize crews to hang the buoys and later to take down the buoys and return them to their owners. Carol Marelli organized crews to rope the buoys and then display them on the trees.

Finally, the trees were painted, installed and decorated by a dedicated group of volunteers from the E.L. Public Trust Foundation, Niantic Main Street, Past to Present Collectibles, Marker 7 Marina, Coastal Gifts on Main, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Also, many thanks to the 300 people who took part in the event, creating buoys which were unique and imaginative.

In addition, hundreds of people came to view the buoys, creating a festive atmosphere for the town during the holiday season. The Project was under the able direction of Carol Marelli, the Past President of the Foundation and Sue Kumro, the Vice-President of the Main Street Organization. The Foundation and the Main Street Organization are committed to repeating this well received project next year in 2025.

Did you enjoy the creativity and camaraderie that this project demonstrated? Then consider joining the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation to help out in 2025 as we continue this project and embark on new endeavors. To volunteer, contact Kathie Lewis Cassidy -kcsdy@sbcglobal.net