Notes from the Old Noank Jail

                   The Adventurous and Dedicated  Van Zandts of Noank                                                                                                                 Recently, the Noank Historical Society presented the 2012 "Anna R. Award" for outstanding community service to Sandy and Sidney Van Zandt of Noank, who were recognized for their numerous activities involving leadership in volunteer organizations and contributions to civic improvements.  

 These activities began when they first moved into Noank with their young son, Douglas, in 1961. After starting up his sail manufacturing business in the Universal Store building, Sandy almost immediately became active, first with the Noank Water Commission, which brought city water to Noank, and then serving on the Noank Zoning Commission from 1968 to 1981 during a period of revisions to the regulations.  

Sidney, meanwhile, became a founder of the Groton Open Space Association (GOSA) which, in 1967, became best known for the "Save the Haley Farm" campaign. A 200 acre parcel of land off old Brook Street, through state and federal grants, along with a major local fund raising effort, became known as the Haley Farm State Park in 1970. A very long battle ensued afterwards with developers for an additional 57 acres, north of the Haley Farm,  which the state finally purchased by 2002, which was added to the existing open space.

 Ongoing GOSA efforts now include annual cleanups, mowing the fields and providing restoration maintenance to preserve the property for passive recreation use in the original farm conditions.  

  In 1972, Sidney then became co-chairperson of the Bluff Point Advisory Council which assisted the state in converting land, originally scheduled for commercial park development, into a 778 acre parcel now referred to as "The Bluff Point Coastal Reserve." This action saved marshes from being filled in, which would have had major detrimental effect on wildlife. Later on, Sidney and the Council rallied again to prevent the construction of a sewer outfall project that would have run the entire length of Bluff Point.  

 These two sections of land, Haley Farm and Bluff Point, were later joined together by a bridge over the main line railroad tracks, resulting in a total of over 1000 Acres of protected public park. 

 Sidney was also active with other park, coastal, environmental and educational organizations, in addition to being a founder/director of what is now the Avalonia Land Conservancy. She resigned from all of these positions and activities in 1981. By that time,Sandy had relocated and sold his sail manufacturing business and they had already started traveling and sailing in Sandy's designed 20 foot "Dulcimer" sailboat. They enjoyed these trips, despite an unexpected encounter with drug smugglers in the Bahamas! However, this event merely whetted their appetite for even MORE adventure!  

 The Van Zandts then decided to rent out their Noank house and relocate to Virginia, where they designed and built a 39 foot steel cutter named "Sequel" with the help of their son, Douglas. After the launching in 1982, they  cruised the East Coast, Florida, the Bahamas (no smugglers this time), Portugal, and Spain.

 In 1990, they then sailed around the world via the Panama Canal, the Pacific Ocean, East Africa, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and finally back to Noank in 1996...where they were welcomed home with great joy....especially after giving travel lectures at Noank Historical Society meetings.

  Not surprisingly, with the exception of local trips and one more Trans-Atlantic sailing voyage, they dove right back into local events. Sandy became active in helping to modify Noank Zoning ordinances during multiple occasions, most recently over the past several months. He became a trustee of the Ram Island Yacht Club and is one of the very active Directors of the Noank Community Market Co-operative.

 Meanwhile, Sidney came back on the GOSA Board as Vice President in time to help organize the purchase of the Merritt Family Forest and the Sheep Farm, totaling 138 Acres, with now an eye on the 91 acre Candlewood Ridge off Lambtown Road. She also serves as an honorary Director with CT Forest and Park Association and volunteers at the Noank Community Market in her copious free time....! Already, I'm dizzy....

  Aside from the considerable accomplishments described above, what keeps the Van Zandts both energetic and adventurous is physical exercise. They do lots of walking and biking and...here's a warning... hills do not seem to slow them down. This becomes evident if one goes for "a short walk in the woods" with Sidney when she is eager to show off a new trail. I have had to bite my tongue to avoid making inappropriate comments, such as "this is a pretty trail,where does it end?" or "are we there yet?" or "wait for me, I got a stone in my shoe" as I stand there, in the middle of the woods, huffing away like a steam engine, looking for a stray oxygen tank......while Sidney is 10 yards ahead of me, chirping encouragement.  

 This outstanding couple are a perfect example of people choosing to live a life of challenge and adventure, willing to face considerable odds but not recklessly, yet being perfectly happy to enjoy a simple, unpretentious lifestyle. I think if there were more such folks in this world (to say nothing of Congress), we'd all be in much better shape.