Swimmer, 77, takes first in Bermuda event

By Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy • svenugop@lohud.com • November 15, 2009

MOUNT KISCO — Richard Ellis says he studied the course of the more than 800-meter open water swim thoroughly, and using the coastline of Bermuda’s Harrington Sound as the focal point, was able to shave off some of the distance. Even so, at age 77, Ellis was surprised last month when he finished first not only in his age division(60 plus), but had placed first in the 40-59 division and ranked second among swimmers ages 20-39. “As a teenager, I was beating senior swimmers and now as a senior, I am beating the juniors,” said Ellis, with a chuckle. “I’m very competitive by nature.”

A many times U.S. and World Masters swimming champion, with more than 5,000 medals, Ellis attributes his success in Bermuda to participating in frequent competitions. “Athletes well into their senior years can still compete with younger athletes when knowledge and experience can add to the competition,” said Ellis, head coach of the New York Athletic Club from 1972 to 1999. More than 260 swimmers from all over the world, including Dubai, India and England, took part in the Around the Sound event in Bermuda on Oct.18.

Fred Jarvis, a former longtime editor and publisher of Winged Foot, the magazine of the New York Athletic Club, was not surprised to hear of Ellis’ victory. “He was always in the magazine because of the competitions he won,” said Jarvis. “He still takes it seriously. Whether it’s a national or international competition, he’s going to be there. His enthusiasm has never waned.” A kidney surgery, a hernia and a blood clot in his leg have not kept Ellis away from his love of swimming. He continues to swim at least once every day at the Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco or at the pool in his house. “I wake up an older person, but after swimming, I feel young again,” said Ellis. “Everyone should keep active, mentally and physically, as much as they can.”

A Bedford Corners resident, Ellis is the owner of the Cambridge-Essex Stamp Co. in Mount Kisco. The company , devoted to the trade of collectibles such as stamps, coins and sports memorabilia, also supplies props to Hollywood movie studios and for television shows. Ellis is married to his second wife, Doreen, and has four sons, three granddaughters and a grandson. “My 9-month-old granddaughter loves to swim,” he said.

An avid traveler and photographer, Ellis in 1964 ventured to England and produced a “Beatles Diary” — containing 32 photographs of the foursome — which was distributed at the 1965 Shea Stadium concert. “In real life, he does as well as in the water,” said Jarvis. One of Ellis’ greatest accomplishments came in 1958, when he competed in the Military Olympics in Berlin. Prior to the Olympics, he was in the service for four years with the 82nd Airborne Division. Ellis won a gold in the games.

“Richard’s an inspiration to everybody, swimmers of all ages,” said Randy Nutt, director of Around the Sound. “He has a big heart and is a joy to be around.”

The Saw Mill 8.0 Mixed Doubles Masters team is going to the NATIONALS

This young team (in its second season) made up of older folks (over 50) had a shaky start. We lost our first home match 0-3 against the Mt. Vernon team but we came back strong and full of enthusiasm to win the next match 2-1 at Mt. Vernon. Our final meet started at Mt. Vernon, but after the first set, all matches were suspended due to rain. Six days later, we were able to get the teams together to finish. Saw Mill won this final match with a decisive 3-0 score, beating the team that went to the Nationals last year.

Since we didn’t expect to win the local league, the trip to the SECTIONALS in Albany two days later was especially sweet. We went there to enjoy the moment and do our best. We represented the Southern section and had to play the winners of the Northern section, which turned out to be their local team. We were tied at 1-1, and the deciding #2 match was still in progress. Isabel and Ken had won the first set 7-6 (in a tiebreaker), and the second set was very close. They won the second set 7-6, with another tiebreaker, thus securing our team’s victory and the Trip to Nationals.

We accomplished our two goals: to try to win and to have fun while doing it!

From left (photo taken after winning in Albany):

Pat and Anne Culhane, Ken Legunn, Isabel Fernandez, Florin Parlia, Ginger Canfield.
Not pictured but part of the team: Chris Rigney, Eve Housler, Doug Peters and Steve Foster.

When amateur enthusiasts began sending fuzzy signals from their garages and rooftops, radio broadcasting was born. Sensing the mediums potential, snake-oil salesmen and preachers took to the air, at once setting early standards for radio programming and making bedlam of the airwaves. Into the chaos stepped a young secretary of commerce, Herbert Hoover, whose passion for organization guided the technology’s growth. When a charismatic bandleader named Rudy Vallee created the first on-air variety show and America elected its first true radio president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, radio had arrived.

With clarity, humor, and an eye for out-sized characters forgotten by polite history, Anthony Rudel tells the story of the boisterous years when radio took its place in the nation’s living room and forever changed American politics, journalism, and entertainment.

About the Author
ANTHONY RUDEL has spent his professional life in radio, including ten years on the air, as well as stints as vice president of programming for WQXR in New York and SW Radio Networks. The author of the novel Imagining Don Giovanni and two books on classical music, he now consults for radio stations across the country and lives in Chappaqua, New York.