story & photo
by Maren Schober

Louise Neistat, New London, is nothing short of remarkable!  It is a pleasure to be talking with her today about her dancing experiences.

Coming up on the age of 90, Louise is well known in the area as a tap dancing teacher.  A teacher of dancing in New London for over forty years, she is not about to slow down now.

“I teach tap dancing to eighty students between the ages of three-and-a-half and eighty years old,” Louise states.  “Once a year we put on a public performance at the Garde Theatre and I donate the proceeds to the Backus Hospital Breast Cancer Foundation where all the money is used locally.”

Louise’s daughter Margo also teaches tap dancing classes and together they produce the annual show at the Garde.  Louise and Margo teach their students right in their own home in New London.

“When my husband and I bought this house, I knew right away that I could turn the third floor attic space into a dancing studio and changing room.  I don’t have to pay outside rent.  It is perfect.”

Louise started dancing early in life. “I grew up in Yonkers, NY and started dancing lessons when I was 8 or 9 years old.  My mother said I was plump and she thought the dancing would be good for me.  I have been dancing ever since.  I learned all kinds of dancing but when I became fourteen years old I settled into tap dancing.”

“I graduated from Yonkers High School in 1937.  I don’t know how I did that because all I could think about was dancing!”

“After high school I auditioned for the Rockettes and got the job!  It was war time and for one year I lived out of my suitcase as I traveled and entertained our American soldiers all over the country with the Rockettes.  I got to meet the movie stars who entertained with us and I especially remember meeting Cary Grant.”

“We had lots of fun adventures.  Young men from the audience would send us letters inviting us out for a date but that was against the rules.”

“I also worked at the Charles Lowe Dance Studio in New York for nine years.  Charles sent me over with some children to do some tap dancing with Milton Berle during the Milton Berle Show. Milton Berle loved working with children.”

Marriage brought Louise to New London. “When I married Ephraim Neistat we moved to New London where Ephraim had his own business the Thames Crockery Co.  It was on Bank Street.  Now the Muddy Waters Cafe is in the same building and is owned by my son, Barry.”

I ask Louise, “What is your secret for longevity and good health?”

“Keep your mind and body active.  Above all don’t eat a lot of crap. And oh yes, keep climbing stairs.  That’s important.”

This year’s annual tap dancing show is Saturday, June 20th.  For ticket information call the Garde Theatre: 860.444.7373.

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story & photo
by Amy Pjura

On April 23, the Claude Chester Elementary School, Groton, hosted an Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting Ceremony. Lee Vincent, Assistant to the Town Manager, was the emcee again this year. As part of an intergenerational program, Mrs. Rahl’s fifth grade class and Groton Seniors headed up the project to plant a tree for Arbor Day.

Mayor Harry Watson read the Arbor Day proclamation and began with a proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.” Guest speaker Chris Donnelly,  State Forestry Coordinator, CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), presented the “Tree City USA” award and flag to Mayor Watson and Prinicipal Carol Glaude, Claude Chester Elementary Scool. It is Groton’s 14th year receiving the award and is one of 15 towns/cities in CT to be a “Tree City.”

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Putnam Bank announced that it will open its first full-service branch office in Norwich late summer 2009. The Bank purchased the 2,850 square foot building on the site of the former Sportsman’s Athletic Club, located at the junction of Route 82 and 40 High Street. Renovations, which are slated to begin as soon as permits are issued, include the addition of a drive-up window and 24-hour ATM. The site was mainly chosen for its convenience and visibility.

“This new office will provide an important link for us between Putnam and our southernmost branch office in Gales Ferry, and will also help us solidify our position as a major competitor in Eastern Connecticut. Putnam Bank is the number one mortgage lender in Windham County and, since our purchase of three People’s Bank branches in 2005, our residential and commercial loan portfolio is steadily increasing in New London County as well” said Thomas A. Borner, Chairman and CEO of the 147-year-old bank. “The location is very well-situated on busy Route 82 and we are pleased to be opening in Norwich and share in its prestigious 350-year history.”

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Waterford Hotel Group recently honored Executive Chef Steven Rosen with its 2008 Manager of the Year award during the company’s 2009 Business Meeting & Awards Celebration at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton. Steve currently serves as executive chef at the 120-room Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. Waterford Hotel Group, a national hotel management firm, professionally operates the hotel.

A former Food & Wine Magazine top ten new chef, Steve was honored by Waterford for his extraordinary talent in the culinary field, and he displayed a drive for excellence and a passion for his craft that was unrivaled. In 2008, Steve increased the marketability of the hotel’s 4-star restaurant, Octagon, through television appearances and increased personal interaction with the restaurant’s guests. “Steve has always followed the golden rule of management – never expect your team to do something that you would not do,” commented Judy Moran, Vice President of Human Resources, Waterford Hotel Group. “He has consistently ensured the quality and presentation of his work, and the work of his team, measures up to the highest standards expected.”

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