At the High Hopes 39th annual meeting in October, two new candidates — Old Lyme resident Andrew Russell and Old Saybrook resident Jane Bolles — were introduced and officially voted by the membership into office as trustees.
Russell has had an extensive career in broadcasting since earning a degree in Communications Management from Ithaca College. Currently, he is VP and General Manager, Hall Communications, where he oversees day to day operations for six stations.
He is active in a number of local organizations including serving as treasurer of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association, secretary and board member of the RCDC (Renaissance City Development Association) in New London, and chairman of the Old Lyme Board of Finance.
Russell is married to Pamela and they have three children.
Jane Bolles and her husband Keith own and operate the Saybrook Country Barn in Old Saybrook where Jane works full time. Jane has always loved horses and was a former rider and owner of two horses. A former board member of High Hopes, Jane co-chaired Symphony in the Meadows, the annual High Hopes benefit event twice, was a member of the program committee and the personnel committee. She also coordinated a variety of programs for the families and riders.
Jane learned of High Hopes (then LCVERA) 22 years ago while looking for a place for her then six-year-old daughter, who is hearing impaired and intellectually challenged, to learn how to ride and be around horses. Now at 28, Lindsey is still a participant in the program.
To learn more about High Hopes, visit www.highhopestr.org, call 860.434.1974, follow the High Hopes Facebook page at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. and Twitter feed @HighHopesTR.
High Hopes is one of the oldest and largest therapeutic riding centers in the United States, operating since 1974 and accredited by PATH Intl. (formerly the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) since 1979.
Annually, High Hopes serves over 1,725 individuals per year. Assisted by over 650 volunteers and a herd of 27 horses specifically trained for therapeutic riding. High Hopes is committed to providing the highest quality of services to the community.
Of the nearly 800 programs that are members of PATH Intl., High Hopes is one of only six centers in the United States authorized to offer PATH approved training courses in therapeutic riding instruction and has trained instructors from all over the world. High Hopes is located at 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371.