John Guy LaPlante
Well, Friends, it’s time for me to say goodbye to the town I love. I never thought this day would come. Never wanted it to come. I have been happy here. Fifteen years ago I chose Deep River as my retirement community– chose it deliberately, mind you.
It’s a strange story: I had my whole career in Massachusetts. Just retired, I came here to Connecticut for a one-week program at what is now Incarnation Center in Ivoryton. Well, one thing led to another and I became the director of its big and fine Elderhostel Program. Spent eight good years there. And that’s how I got to discover Deep River. I caught the town at the cusp, it seems. It was just coming out of a prolonged sleepy period. My instinct told me it was about to flower. How right I was. What I longed for was real, genuine small town life.
Within a few days I bought a condo at Piano Works—yes, the one I am living in. It turned out to be perfect for my needs. Then right away I applied to join the town Rotary Club. Rotary had long appealed to me but I was always too busy. That was another smart decision. It was a happy day when the Rotarians swore me in. I made friends in the club and in town. I became involved in remarkable programs—Rotary always commits to serving its community however it can.
A big project was the creation of Keyboard Park with its pretty Gazebo and Fountain. Another very meaningful one was our annual Patriotic Fourth celebration on Independence Day right there at Keyboard Park. Another was the purchase of what is now the Town’s iconic Elephant Statue in front of Town Hall. That was a big expense for our club but we considered it important.
Here’s a nice memory. On one Deep River Family Day we inflated balloons through the elephant’s trunk! Honest! Handed them to delighted kids. I admit we had a second motive. We wanted to prove to everybody that that statue is really a fantastic water fountain. Water shoots out the elephant’s trunk! I still don’t understand why water hasn’t been connected to it permanently.
Another project was the re-dedication of the Observation Deck at the bottom of Kirtland Street that overlooks the Connecticut. It’s Rotary that made that deck possible years ago. We had a beautiful ceremony with speeches, a fife and drum corps, the whole works. (But know what? Some vandal has destroyed our beautiful brand-new plaque for it! I’d like to shoot him. Or her.)
I’m happy to tell you that those projects were always accomplished with the full cooperation of the Town and the help of First Selectman Dick Smith.
Yes, Deep River Rotary was wonderful. I’ve lived in numerous places, but emotionally I’ve considered Deep River home. In fact I’ve loved the whole area, including the delightful neighboring towns and villages on both sides of the Connecticut Estuary.
Oh, I had been a journalist on a big newspaper. Here from Deep River I found fresh outlets for that passion of my younger days. And I’m still enjoying creating articles and now blogs … though momentarily I’m slowed down by all the work of selling out and moving to California.
The reason I’m leaving is simple. I’m old and feel it and show it. My dear daughter Monique out there in Morro Bay wants me under her wing.
Know what? Many times over the years, I’ve heard the call, “Go West, Young Man!” Well, after all these years, and now far from young, I’m saying yes to that call.
But for sure there will be tears in my eyes when I do go to Bradley to fly off for that big and ultimate chapter in my life. Living at Piano Works in this gorgeous corner of the world has been great. Thank goodness I’ll have wonderful memories to sustain me. And I hope to come back and visit.