TOP STORY: Celebrating a Carousel’s Centenary in Old Lyme

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Community
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June 15, 2025
State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) stands between Jerry and Dee Vowles after presenting them with a Citation from the State of Connecticut celebrating the 100th birthday of the ‘Sound View Carousel.’

OLD LYME — It might have been a drizzly day on Saturday but spirits were high in the Sound View section of Old Lyme where celebrations took place to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the construction of the beloved carousel.

Sound View Commissioners Frank Pappalardo (right) and Michaelle Pearson (second from right) join the Vowles family for this celebratory photo after presenting the Vowles family with a plaque from the Sound View Commission.

The merry-go-round has been in its current location at the foot of Hartford Ave.since 1976.

Old Lyme Economic Development Commission (EDC) Chairman Joe Camean (center) and member Mona Colwell (left) congratulate Dee and Jerry Vowles on their involvement in the business community after presenting a Certificate of Recognition from the EDC and Old Lyme Board of Selectmen. Master of Ceremonies and Sound View Commissioner Frank Pappalardo stands at rear.

Presentations were made by numerous individuals including State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, Old Lyme Economic Development Commission Chairman Joe Camean, Democratic Town Committee member Kathleen Tracy, and Sound View Commissioner and Historian Michaelle Pearson.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (center) holds the US Proclamation from Representative Joe Courtney that she presented on his behalf to the Vowles family.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker commented, “It was an absolutely wonderful celebration!”

More than 150 people turned out to celebrate the carousel’s birthday.

Enjoy our photo essay of the celebrations. Many thanks to Martha Shoemaker for providing the photos.

A smiling Dee Vowles (left) and husband Jerry along with daughter Jen Vowles Lathrop enjoy the day.

The weather did not keep folks away from the fun event at which free carousel rides, 100 cent ice cream and hot dogs, and t-shirt raffles were all on offer.

Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee members Kathleen Tracy and Michaelle Pearson stand with Dee and Jerry Vowles, who hold an illustration of the carousel that had been presented to them.

Our congratulations to Dee and Jerry Vowles and family on being such an important part of the Old Lyme community.

A host of dignitaries inside The Carousel Shop gather for a photo—all were involved in the celebrations.

Read Elizabeth Regan’s story about the history of the carousel at this link.

Old Lyme Selectman Jim Lampos (left) stands alongside Master of Ceremonies and Sound View Commission Chairman Frank Pappalardo as he gives a short speech congratulating the Vowles family on their commitment to the town.
Flowers and champagne were yet another contribution to the celebrations. Old Lyme Selectwoman Jude Read and Old Lyme Republican Town Committee member Maria Marchant (at left) stand with Dee and Jerry Vowles in this joyful photo.
And the horses rode on …
… while patrons of all ages enjoyed the celebrations. Photo by C. Nyberg.
Author
Olwen Logan

Olwen Logan grew up in a family of London educators but was inspired by her great grandfather, influential Daily Chronicle newspaper editor Alfred Ewen Fletcher, to pursue journalism. She built a successful career in efficiency analysis and senior audit management before launching her own PR-focused consultancy. After moving to the U.S. in 1990 and settling in Old Lyme in 1994, she became a staff writer for the now-closed Main Street News and later joined Jack Turner’s fledgling LymeLine.com, discovering the career she had always wanted—albeit in an unexpected digital form. Even after relocating to Maryland, she continued covering Lyme and Old Lyme with the same dedication, earning national recognition as a LION Publishers award finalist in 2020. After more than two decades of service, Olwen stepped away in November 2025, donating LymeLine.com to the newly formed nonprofit LymeLine Inc. and expressing her excitement for its continued growth and mission.

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