A Disclaimer: Despite the title, this “View is not about politics. Rather, I am responding to the report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that, “Nationwide, cases of consumer fraud are skyrocketing;” and review the magnitude of the problem. I also discuss some of the most common and recent forms of consumer attacks, and add a few personal cyber-war stories, which—in … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Rhetorical Question on Scamming—Just How Dumb Do They Think We Are?
A View from My Porch: More on the Marquis: Lafayette’s Farewell Tour— The Bicentennial
In my last “View,” I considered General Lafayette’s life and crucial role in America’s War of Independence and reviewed his first visit to Old Lyme in 1778 (also see below.) My inspiration for this topic was the installation of Lafayette Trail markers commemorating stops he made in what is now known as his “Farewell Tour” in Old Lyme and my hometown, Fredonia, N.Y. in … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: More on the Marquis: Lafayette’s Farewell Tour— The Bicentennial
A View from My Porch: “Lafayette, We Are Here!” An American History Refresher
George Washington’s Birthday Edition In August, 2022, the Lafayette Trail marker on Old Lyme’s South Green that commemorates a visit by General Lafayette to the McCurdy house in 1824 was unveiled. The marker joins another on the Green that recognizes Old Lyme’s role in the women’s suffrage movement—American suffragist and activist Old Lyme resident, Katharine Ludington, … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: “Lafayette, We Are Here!” An American History Refresher
A View From My Porch: My Father’s January 6th—in 1941
We are three divisive years after the shameful and violent January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol that transpired on live TV. As the title indicates, this essay considers a very important historic event that occurred 80 years earlier on the Sixth of January in 1941; and is presented here as something that better reflects America’s values and world view … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: My Father’s January 6th—in 1941
A View From My Porch: Reflections on the Election
At long last, I am devoting this “View” to a few thoughts and observations on Old Lyme’s November 7th municipal election, which included a recount; aka “recanvass,” for positions whose margins were less than 20 votes; — required in CT unless the losing candidate waives the recount. The recount, which was held on Monday, Nov. 13th, did not change any elected positions, though … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Reflections on the Election
A View from My Porch: Children’s Literature for the intrepid — Let Freedom Read!
The American Library Association (ALA) has proclaimed “Let Freedom Read!” as the theme for this this year’s “Banned Books Week,” which just ended this past Friday (Oct. 7.) This “View” is written to acknowledge the rationale for such a week, and reflect on why it is especially pertinent in 2023 Old Lyme. Stepping back, I said at the end of “Surfing with Gen. Alpha,” which I … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: Children’s Literature for the intrepid — Let Freedom Read!
A View From My Porch: The Beach Boys Redux — Surfing with Gen. Alpha
I hypothesized in a “View” published in early August that “The Beach Boys,” whose music regularly celebrated muscle cars, the power of the internal combustion engine, and California car culture had an influence on Americans’ early reluctance to buy electric vehicles. I did not expect to ever consider their music in another essay, or in this case, a little bit of their … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: The Beach Boys Redux — Surfing with Gen. Alpha
A View From My Porch: Some Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Celebration
The celebration: “Rock the Phoebe’s” joyful acknowledgement of the century and a quarter anniversary of the founding of Old Lyme’s Phoebe Griffin Noyes (PGN) Library in 1898 was scheduled for the evening of June 23. The funny things: A letter, signed by 23 members of the Greater Old Lyme community was sent to the library on May 25. This was then followed … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Some Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Celebration
A View From My Porch: A Treatise on Electric Vehicles — Baby Boomers, ‘Beach Boys’ & Battery Benefits
After some sluggish early sales, there has been a considerable increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads in the United States. EVs comprised 5.8 percent of all new vehicle sales in the United States in 2022; up from 3.2 percent in 2021; and that’s more than three-quarters of a million of the roughly 14 million new cars and light trucks sold in 2022. The … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Treatise on Electric Vehicles — Baby Boomers, ‘Beach Boys’ & Battery Benefits
Letter to the Editor: More Support for ‘Phoebe’s Superhero(ine)s’, Libraries Are an ‘Enormous Force for Good’
To the Editor: I read Jonathan Wilder’s brilliant letter of support for our library and its staff earlier this morning and my response was, “Why didn’t I say that?” Not having said it first, I submit this LTE [Letter to the Editor] as my own corollary to his statements. We live on Library Lane and either Christina or I will usually have some reason to stop … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: More Support for ‘Phoebe’s Superhero(ine)s’, Libraries Are an ‘Enormous Force for Good’
Letter to the Editor: More Thoughts on the Passing of Old Lyme’s ‘Statesman-in-Residence’
To the Editor: Last week-Old Lyme lost its statesman-in-residence, Lowell Weicker, who lived on Lyme Street near the Library Lane intersection; and even before that, in a cottage on Ball Lane, which must have barely contained his 6 foot, 6 inches. I do not want to repeat his extensive list of accomplishments, which have already been noted in several tributes, but rather … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: More Thoughts on the Passing of Old Lyme’s ‘Statesman-in-Residence’
A View From My Porch: Just Another Day at the Beach — A Treatise on Connecticut Beach Access
I will introduce this topic by acknowledging the courage of Ms. Kathleen Tracy and her co-plaintiffs, who have seen the most recent beach access case against the Miami Beach Association (MBA) through to its conclusion. That specific lawsuit, which really began with a fence in 2016, ultimately required more than six years of effort and anguish; and certainly, some considerable … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Just Another Day at the Beach — A Treatise on Connecticut Beach Access
A View From My Porch: Finding Fenway — A Feline Interest Story
Nearly a year ago, Christina and I announced in LymeLine that we were “on the lookout for two adoptable kittens; we hope to find a pair of orange tabby sisters.” Our plan was to name them Fenway and Wrigley. We had lost Finn, our pet of more than 15 years, as a result of an inoperable and inexplicable carcinoma of the lung, which appeared on a radiograph at an emergency … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Finding Fenway — A Feline Interest Story
Letter to the Editor: Old Lyme RTC Words on ‘Parental Rights’, Rev. Jungkeit are ‘Unfortunate’, ‘Somewhat Insulting’
To the Editor: Despite the already robust conversation on the topic, I still feel compelled to provide my bit of input on the recent letters by Mses. Thompson and Schmaus, which detailed their concerns that the Old Lyme RTC [Republican Town Committee] appears to be endorsing a “DeSantis style” of parental rights in our schools “as part of their platform and criteria for … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Old Lyme RTC Words on ‘Parental Rights’, Rev. Jungkeit are ‘Unfortunate’, ‘Somewhat Insulting’
Letter to the Editor: Negative Outcome of Old Lyme Zoning Commission’s Vote on Halls Rd. Overlay District Raises Many Questions
To the Editor: I am writing as a follow-up to Mark Terwilliger’s Op Ed in LymeLine on the Zoning Commission’s vote against the Halls Road Overlay District proposal. Elizabeth Regan, who covers Old Lyme for the “New London Day”, also reviewed the action in an article published in that newspaper on March 29th. Because the proposal had not been endorsed by our … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Negative Outcome of Old Lyme Zoning Commission’s Vote on Halls Rd. Overlay District Raises Many Questions