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Currach Rowers Conclude Regatta With Award of Perpetual Trophy

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Sarah Windfelder (center), president of the Philadelphia Celtic Currach Club, accepts the first perpetual trophy awarded by New London Currach Rowers from Maureen Plumleigh, club president and Old Lyme resident (left) and James Gallagher, member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, John P. Holland Division.

NEW LONDON: For the first time, the New London Currach Rowers presented a trophy at their annual Regatta to the champion team of their annual New London Regatta held Saturday, July 29. 

In addition to awarding medals to teams for separate races, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), John P. Holland Local Division, sponsored and presented a large trophy recognizing the team amassing the highest cumulative points at the New London Regatta. 

The Philadelphia Celtic Currach Club team showcased its skills and teamwork, and was delighted to accept the trophy. The team will retain the trophy until next year’s New London Regatta, when it will be awarded to that year’s champion team. Each year, an additional brass plaque will recognize the winning team and the year.

At an awards gathering held the evening of the regatta at the Forty Thieves Irish Pub in Groton, leaders of the New London Currach Rowers presented medals to teams winning individual races, which included a four-race, a four-women race, mixed men and women in two- and three-person races, and a one-man race. 

The race length was approximately one mile out and one mile return. 

The regatta took place on the Custom House pier, with the race route extending along the New London area of the Thames River.  

The creation of the perpetual trophy from the John P. Holland chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians evolved because of the close relationship between the Currach Rowing team and the local chapter of the AOH, both of which aim to support and celebrate Irish heritage.

Currently, there are eight teams in the Association: Annapolis (Md.), Philadelphia (Pa.), New London (Conn.), Boston (Mass.), Albany (NY), Milwaukee (Wis.), and Leetsdale (Pa.). Participating in the New London Regatta this year were teams from Annapolis, Philadelphia, New London, Boston and Albany.  

Because of their light weight, currachs ride like ping-pong balls on the ocean, even in monstrous North Atlantic swells. The racing currachs retain their traditional structure but are more streamlined for performance (see photo at left.)

The currach, canoe in the Irish language, has a 4-ft. beam and can be up to 25 ft. long. It is a craft traditionally used for fishing and trading among residents on islands off the west coast of Ireland. It has serviced that coast of Ireland for over 2,000 years. 

This autumn, a Learn to Row Irish opportunity will be available to interested adults.To receive details, contact Maureen Plumleigh, President of the New London Currach Rowers at row.currach.nl@gmail.com.

Old Lyme Resident, Atty. Kyle Zrenda Recognized as a ‘New Leader in the Law’ by CT Law Tribune

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Attorney Kyle Zrenda of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law.

OLD LYME/NEW LONDON — Old Lyme resident and Suisman Shapiro Attorney Kyle Zrenda has been recognized as a “New Leader in the Law” by the Connecticut Law Tribune’s 2023 New England Legal Awards. The first-ever New England Legal Awards has expanded the field to include attorneys and firms from beyond Connecticut, including many in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and other states, making the competition exceptionally intense.

Atty. Zrenda has quickly established a strong reputation throughout eastern Connecticut by fighting for people who have been harmed by negligent motorists, property owners, and medical providers.

As a member of the bars of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court and the Mohegan Gaming Disputes Court, he also represents people who have been injured at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos.

This decision will have implications across the state for years to come and will help ensure claimants with legitimate malpractice claims are not bounced out of Court on certain technicalities.

Since 2017, Atty. Zrenda has been recognized by Super Lawyers® as a “Rising Star” in the area of personal injury law, and he has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America – “Ones to Watch” since 2021.

Earlier this year, Atty. Zrenda and his colleague secured a monumental victory in the Connecticut Supreme Court, which overturned the trial court’s dismissal of their client’s medical malpractice case. In a unanimous decision, the Court reversed more than 10 years of precedent.

In another recent victory, Atty. Zrenda’s client slipped on a wet floor, did not fall, but suffered a twisting injury to his back while holding himself up. An interesting complication was that the client had a car accident several months earlier and suffered a back injury. He was still in active treatment at the time of the slip. Nonetheless, the jury returned a verdict of $284,514.

Editor’s Notes: i) Suisman Shapiro is the largest law firm in eastern Connecticut, providing residents and businesses from New Haven to Providence with a full range of legal services.  The firm was established more than 75 years ago and is firmly rooted in the community. For more information visit suismanshapiro.com or call (800) 499-0145.

ii) This article is based in part on a press release issued by Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law.

Old Lyme Fire Dept., Police, Emergency Units Escort ‘9/11 Never Forget’ Mobile Exhibit Into Town

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The ‘9/11 Never Forget’ Mobile Exhibit into Old Lyme travels slowly up Lyme Street forming the centerpiece of yesterday’s parade.

OLD LYME — Yesterday, the Old Lyme Fire Department (OLFD) escorted the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit into Old Lyme and residents and visitors cheerfully turned out on Lyme Street to celebrate its arrival.

A huge flag was hung across Lyme St. to welcome the exhibit.

The 9/11 Never Forget trailer was escorted from the NY/CT state line on I-95 North by cruisers from Connecticut State Police-Troop F Westbrook. It then left I-95 at Exit 70, took Rte. 156 to Ferry Rd., and then onto Lyme St., finally turning into the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools campus.

The parade was ceremoniously led by an Old Lyme fire truck.

Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, Westbrook Fire, Essex Fire Engine Co. #1, Old Saybrook Fire Department, Lyme Fire Company, Old Lyme EMS, Flanders Fire Department, Niantic Fire, local classic car owners, and Riders of Fire CT1 all be joined the OLFD parade.

A great variety of emergency vehicles and more also followed the ‘9/11 Never Forget’ truck up Lyme St.

The 9/11 mobile exhibit is a tribute to all who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, including the 343 members of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) that made the ultimate sacrifice, and all who continue to lose their lives to 9/11-related illnesses. This high-tech, 83-ft. tractor-trailer, which transforms into an 1,100 square foot exhibit, is a tool to educate people across the country further about the events of that tragic day.

An Old Lyme Ambulance joined the long parade.

The trailer is curated by two retired FDNY firefighters, who have committed their time to the exhibit to educate the nation in remembrance of their fallen comrades. The OLFD is delighted to welcome them as their guests.

Standing almost under the flag hung to greet the ‘9/11 Never Forget’ truck, Cecilia Girasoli eagerly awaited its arrival.

The OLFD is honored to have the exhibit joining their 100th anniversary event. Visit this link to read all about the OLFD Centenary celebrations in Old Lyme TODAY Saturday, July 15.

A photographer records the exciting event.

Visit this link on Facebook to view the latest on the OLFD 100th Anniversary Event: https://fb.me/e/62TDmPfKG?mibextid=Gg3lNB

Visit this link to view more about the 9/11 Tunnel to Towers Trailer Info: https://t2t.org/9-11-institute/9-11-never-forget-mobile-exhibit/