Despite the dampening weather conditions yesterday afternoon, distinguished guests joined members of the Lyme-Old Lyme community, District 18 students and faculty in the high school auditorium to commemorate the dedication and completion of the Charles M. Niblack Memorial Track.

“Today we celebrate thanks as a community—for the beauty of a new facility and to thank John and Heidi Niblack and commemorate their son, Chuck, today and in the future,”  said James Witkins, vice-chairman of the District 18 Board of Education, as he opened the dedication ceremony with a series of appreciative remarks.

After welcoming the community and invited guests to the ceremonial dedication, Witkins recognized general contractor, Michael Girard, architect, Richard Webb, the design committee headed by District 18 Board of Education member Christopher Carter, and other individuals who made, “giving the home team prevailing wind advantage,” a real possibility.
From left to right, Board of Education Vice-Chairman Jim Witkins, Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold and District 18 Superintendent of Schools Betty Osga applaud a speaker during the event.

The generosity of John and Heidi Niblack, who were described as, “true community “philanthropists,” by Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold, was in honor of their son, Charles Niblack, a passionate track and field alumnus athlete taken in his prime of life in a 1997 Old Lyme car accident, which also claimed his brother Jack..  Griswold praised the Niblacks for their philanthropic efforts citing them as an example on which “our quality of life depends on here in the Lyme-Old Lyme community.”

Superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth Osga expressed further gratitude for “the delivery of the largest gift the Lyme-Old Lyme School District has ever received.”  Her speech captured the very essence of what the Charles M. Niblack Memorial Track would bring to our community: “You will carry forth a human connection into the future.  The story of this day and this track will forever be part of your lives.”

Osga’s uplifting expressions resonated in the subsequent melodies performed by the high school’s Wind Ensemble and Select Singers, which concluded with a resounding ovation from the appreciative community.
Heidi Niblack (second from right) studies the plaque commemorating the track’s opening that includes a photo of the completed track taken from a helicopter.  The plaque reads: “In deepest gratitude to John and Heidi Niblack for your generosity from the communities of Lyme and Old Lyme”

Region 18 Athletic Director Robert Roach proceeded to the podium where he spoke highly of former student-athlete Chuck Niblack and expressed thanks to his parents, John and Heidi, for completing one of Roach’s lifelong ambitions and giving the community a greater sense of pride thanks to this new addition.

The closing remarks were those of John Niblack, Chuck’s father, who remembered his son as the track athlete and Lyme-Old Lyme alumnus that, after graduation, pledged his service to the Marine Corps.  His deeply sincere expressions of appreciation for the communal gathering held in honor of his son and family were not only applauded but also served to motivate the cross-country team, who were eager to take the ceremonial first lap around the track.

Senior cross-country captains proudly led the rain-geared team members onto the track where they clustered behind the strip of royal-blue ceremonial ribbon fastened across the lanes (see photo above.)
LOL boys’ cross country senior captain James Scheide participates in an interview with the New Channel 3 TV station.

The press were out in force to record the auspicious event in a variety of media.  Meanwhile, invited guests propped open their umbrellas and gathered trackside to watch Heidi Niblack make the honorable ribbon-cutting (see photo below.)

After the commemorative applaud, and with great anticipation, the cross country set out on their ceremonial run, completing the last 100 meters with their homecoming chant.

Thanks to the generosity of the Niblacks, the spirit of the “Mighty-Mighty Wildcats” will endure henceforward now that they finally have their own track to call home.