Politicians set aside the issues and keep the Croc Club tradition alive

By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER

For 133 years now, a multitude of individuals has gathered at Lake Compounce to put aside their political differences over a traditional dinner of lamb and corn with all the trimmings.
Last Friday, local and state officials did just that in the amusement park’s ballroom to celebrate the history of the Crocodile Club, which originated in 1875 when former legislator Gad Norton decided to thank his colleagues in the state legislature for helping pass a law that changed the town line between Bristol and Southington to put his farmhouse in Bristol, according to a press release from the New England Carousel Museum. The museum sponsored the event. Norton, who started Lake Compounce in 1846, made that request so he could vote in Bristol where he traded, knew more people, and had a shorter travel distance, the release stated.
The reunion dinner began with a social hour at noon, followed by dinner and a lively program with guest speakers who made one-liners and jokes without making serious political speeches. When Norton served as the host of the dinner, he dictated to guests that “there will be no serious politics allowed, no post-mortems from the last legislative session—just pleasant sociability, good fun, and good food,” according to the release.
Vicky Biondi, president of the Carousel Museum’s Board of Directors, distributed raffle tickets to each guest during the event. Serving the Carousel Museum for seven to eight years now, Biondi said her favorite part of the event is seeing the “camaraderie” between the politicians, as well as seeing the tradition of the event itself be carried on. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the museum, a nonprofit educational organization that aims “to preserve and protect antique wooden carousels and carousel pieces.”
“It is hosted at Lake Compounce where Gad Norton started it so many years ago, so there is a lot of history,” said Biondi. “The Carousel Museum is delighted to revive it.”
Mike and Dave Pasqualicchio, owners of Nuchie’s Restaurant in Bristol, said Nuchie’s has catered the event for at least 20 years now. A team of 25 employees helped prepare for the dinner all morning preparing everything from sweet potatoes and boiled potatoes to tomato with basil and lamb.
“It is a tradition,” said Mike Pasqualicchio, adding how he looks forward to seeing the same people involved in the event every year. “We’ve been doing it for so many years.”
Besides eating a traditional meal of lamb and creamed corn, politicians and guests also get a chance to relive history when they receive a cigar and a can of beer at the dinner table.
City Councilor Henri Martin, who also is a Republican candidate for state senate in District 31, said receiving the cigar is a highlight of the event for him, as he gets a chance to relive history. Calling the stories and jokes “very entertaining,” Martin said the event also serves as a fun opportunity for politicians of every party to leave their differences behind, and to interact informally.
“[The event] is a great story of how this started,” said Martin. “It is a good time for people who are involved politically to leave everything at the door and just say hi.”
Mayor Ken Cockayne said he felt excited to represent Bristol at the event, which also gave him an opportunity to interact with past, present, and future elected officials.
“The politics are left at the door,” said Cockayne. “We spend the day laughing.”
For Rob Michalik, a Democratic candidate for state senate in District 31, the dinner marked the first time he has experienced the tradition in Bristol. Michalik said he enjoyed meeting elected officials from Bristol and other surrounding areas.
“I’m happy to be here, and to be in a little part in the rich history of this event,” said Michalik.
State elected officials like Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, who are also both running for re-election on the Democratic ticket, also made a grand entrance at the dinner, shaking hands and laughing with the crowd. Wyman said her favorite part of the dinner is “seeing some of the old-timers” who have attended the event for years.
Malloy said he not only looks forward to the entertaining aspect of the event, but also enjoys showing his support for the Carousel Museum. Besides the Carousel Museum itself, visitors can enjoy a ride on the carousel, the Museum of Fire History, and The Museum of Greek Culture and fine art galleries. The museum also provides space for different activities, including private tours, birthday parties, facility rentals, group sleepovers and meetings.
“It is a good cause,” said Malloy, who has visited the museum. “I understand the great work they do.”
In 2010, the Carousel Museum received permission from the Norton family to resurrect the Crocodile Club, after the event took an eight-year hiatus. Since then, the museum has committed to the tradition established by the Norton family for Lake Compounce, which is the oldest operating amusement park nationwide.
State Representative Frank Nicastro, who represents the 79th district and is running for re-election, has attended the event for at least 20 times. He said every year of the Crocodile Club dinner has marked a “great year,” and enjoys seeing the camaraderie between guests.
“You get to talk to everyone on every side of the aisle,” said Nicastro. “It’s a chance to let your hair down.”
Democratic State Representative Chris Wright, who serves District 77, and is also up for reelection, said he always has a good time at the dinner, where politicians can put aside any concerns about the campaign for a few hours.
“I always have a good time coming here,” said Wright.

PHOTOS by TAMMI NAUDUS

Crocodile Club-Jayde Rose Blanchette sings the national anthem

Jayde Rose Blanchette sings the national anthem to open up the 2014 meeting of the Crocodile Club at Lake Compounce. The event is a fund raiser for the New England Carousel Museum.

Radio host Ray Dunaway presides over the meeting of the Crocodile Club

State Rep. Frank Nicastro, left, Gov. Dannel Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, state Rep. Dave Zoni, Bristol Mayor Ken Cockayne, and state Rep. Chris Wright at last Friday’s Crocodile Club gathering at Lake Campounce.