A STORY OF COMMUNITY ON THE MYSTIC RIVER Longtime Museum Members Robert and Eleanor Krusewski, originally from Waterbury, Connecticut, discovered what they describe as the “magic of Mystic” when visiting family in New London in the 1970s. Bob, a former financial advisor, and Ellie, a former kindergarten teacher, purchased a dilapidated house on the banks of the Mystic River in 1976 and spent years renovating it into the beautiful home they share today. But it was the Mystic River upon which they built their community of friends. The Krusewskis have enjoyed time on the water as much as watching the other boaters go by. Bob tells stories of he and Ellie hopping onto their boat and traveling downriver to various restaurants for dinner or across the river to parties and visits with friends. For a time, Bob and a neighbor were both on the Board of the Ram Island Yacht Club. They attended Board meetings via boat. Bob tells of once owning a launch that accommodated a good number of people, and they gathered a group to attend the Museum’s annual Carol Sing in December—by boat—and attended other years onboard the sailing schooner Argia. One winter the river nearly froze over, with the exception of the channel, and Bob, Ellie, and others placed benches on the ice for spectators to sit while watching ice skaters. Bob and Ellie recall Tuesday night races on the River and friendly sailing competitions with neighbors using boats on loan from the Museum. The social life that they have enjoyed over the last five decades is special, uniquely set upon the Mystic River. The Krusewskis are also former volunteers in the Museum’s PILOTS program and were honored to have worked on the building of the Amistad. They were delighted to have witnessed the launch of the Amistad as well as the Charles W. Morgan, both significant moments for the Museum and the community that created excitement and prompted lawn parties bringing friends together along the River’s banks. As Bob and Ellie reminisce, they are reminded of the magic that caught their attention years earlier: the quaint downtown, the wonderful restaurants, the special nature of being able to travel by foot or boat to nearly everywhere they need to go locally, and the sight of the many boats on the River daily. The Krusewskis feel fortunate to have had the opportunity and ability to create a life in Mystic. When asked to sum up what the Mystic River has added to their lives, in addition to the soothing picturesque landscape, they replied with one word, “joy.” Sherri Ramella, Editorial Director and Associate Director of Advancement
28 / Mystic River
