LYME–Some residents may notice a little quirk in municipal election law when it comes to picking the top officials in small towns like Lyme and Old Lyme. Lyme Town Clerk Linda Winzer has years of experience guiding confused citizens through the ballot that separates the three-member Board of Selectmen into separate races for “First Selectman” and “Selectman.” She … [Read more...] about The Ones Who Didn’t Win: A Short History of Electing First Selectmen in Small-Town Connecticut
Public Asked for Input on Lyme’s Plan of Conservation and Development—Hearing, Special Meeting, Wednesday
LYME–The Planning and Zoning Commission invites public comment on the draft Plan of Conservation and Development on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The public hearing and special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Lyme Town Hall. The draft was produced as part of a roughly year-and-a-half-long process by the Lyme Planning and Zoning Commission and endorsed by the town’s Board of … [Read more...] about Public Asked for Input on Lyme’s Plan of Conservation and Development—Hearing, Special Meeting, Wednesday
Talking Transportation: Memoirs of a Metro-North Conductor
Being a train conductor seems like a simple, boring job: collecting tickets, opening and closing doors, reminding people to keep their feet off the seats. Yawn. But there’s a lighter side to the job, as I wrote a few years ago, based on former conductor Michael Shaw’s great book, “My Rail Life,” after he retired from a 36-year career on the New Haven line. He clearly loved … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Memoirs of a Metro-North Conductor
TOP STORY: Lyme Tops State in Voter Turnout, With Old Lyme Not Far Behind
LYME/OLD LYME–Voters in Lyme and Old Lyme propelled the towns into the state’s Top Five list for the highest voter turnout, with Lyme leading the way at 66.1%. Old Lyme was not far behind at number four, with 60.5% of voters turning out at the polls. Roger Senserrich, spokesman for the Office of the Secretary of the State, noted, however, that results won’t be … [Read more...] about TOP STORY: Lyme Tops State in Voter Turnout, With Old Lyme Not Far Behind
TOP STORY: Recounts Possible in Old Lyme Due to Multiple Close Races
OLD LYME–Several tight races between members of the same party have triggered an automatic recount, but one affected candidate has already waived her right to the review process. Only 13 votes separate Republican John Mesham and incumbent Republican Selectwoman Jude Read for a spot on the three member Board of Selectmen, based on returns announced Tuesday evening at … [Read more...] about TOP STORY: Recounts Possible in Old Lyme Due to Multiple Close Races
Death Announced of Mark Richard Leary, Brother of Martha Quaratella of Old Lyme; Services, Nov. 14 & 15
Mark Richard Leary, 63, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on May 10, 1962, Mark was the third of eight children of the late Winifred and Richard Leary. He grew up in Meriden, CT, and attended Lyman Hall High School, where he was part of the Vocational Agriculture program. Mark’s easygoing nature and huge heart made him easy to love. … [Read more...] about Death Announced of Mark Richard Leary, Brother of Martha Quaratella of Old Lyme; Services, Nov. 14 & 15
Duck River Garden Club Presents Program on ‘Caring for Birds,’ Wednesday
OLD LYME—On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Duck River Garden Club will host a program titled, 'Caring for Birds' presented by Jessica Penfield, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Old Saybrook. All are welcome. She will discuss how to care for birds year-round. Discover how to support your feathered friends through every season, with a special focus on the challenges of winter. Learn how … [Read more...] about Duck River Garden Club Presents Program on ‘Caring for Birds,’ Wednesday
A View From My Porch: The President’s Coattails Are Tattered and Threadbare—A Treatise on Misbehavior
Epigraph: “Johnny's in the basement, mixing up the medicine;I'm on the pavement, thinking about the government.”[Bob Dylan (1965): Subterranean Homesick Blues."] Prologue: So, what is there really to think about? Well, I’m opining on why this Republican President, still supported by a “look the other way” Republican Congress, has shut down the Government; and once … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: The President’s Coattails Are Tattered and Threadbare—A Treatise on Misbehavior
Leave the Leaves! Be a Lazy Gardener this Fall
Editor's Notes: i) This article was first published on LymeLine on Oct. 27, 2024.ii) The author, Suzanne Thompson, is a founding member of Pollinate Old Lyme, which kicked off in 2020 and is Old Lyme’s Pollinator Pathway project. For more information, visit the Pollinator Pathway website and/or Like/Follow the Pollinate Old Lyme Facebook page at this link. Ah, the sights, … [Read more...] about Leave the Leaves! Be a Lazy Gardener this Fall
Old Lyme Land Trust Seeks Volunteers to Help Build a Bridge, Saturday
OLD LYME–The Old Lyme Land Trust has put out an “all hands on deck” call for workers to help build a boardwalk at Boggy Hole Preserve. The group on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. at 7 Boggy Hill Road will host a work party to replace a bridge and build a boardwalk along the green trail. Help is needed to carry in planks and build a span. Workers are advised to wear work gloves … [Read more...] about Old Lyme Land Trust Seeks Volunteers to Help Build a Bridge, Saturday
Decorations, Gifts Abound During ‘Elephants in Winter’ Sale, Nov. 15 & 16
OLD LYME–The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will become a one-stop holiday shop on Nov. 15 and 16 as it opens its doors to those looking to decorate for the holidays or on the hunt for that special gift. All the holiday items collected during intake days for the White Elephant Sale in July will be featured at the Benevolent Society’s 'Elephants In Winter' Sale, … [Read more...] about Decorations, Gifts Abound During ‘Elephants in Winter’ Sale, Nov. 15 & 16
Early Fall Gardening Tips from The English Lady—’Take Time to Sit and Watch the Leaves Change’
Birches, Larches, Gingko, Oaks, Magnolia, and all flowering fruit and flowering trees as well as the Eastern Red Cedar. These trees have fleshy roots, and their feeder roots are not large when young and therefore take time to establish and are susceptible to frost heave. Perennials that do not like to be planted in fall are Artemisia, Lambs Ears, Foxglove, … [Read more...] about Early Fall Gardening Tips from The English Lady—’Take Time to Sit and Watch the Leaves Change’
Unofficial Election Results in Lyme
Elected candidates are shown in bold—These results are from the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office. First Selectman: Christine Erica Zelek (U): 710Thomas St. Louis (R): 474 (St. Louis lost the First Selectman contest but takes a spot as Selectman on the board of selectmen (BOS) because he gained the third highest number of votes out of the four candidates running for … [Read more...] about Unofficial Election Results in Lyme
Unofficial Election Results in Old Lyme
Elected candidates are shown in bold—note: we are still checking some details. These results are from the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office.First Selectman: Martha Shoemaker (D): 1938John Mesham (R): 1808 (Mesham lost the First Selectman contest but takes a spot as Selectman on the BOS because he gained the third highest number of votes out of the four candidates … [Read more...] about Unofficial Election Results in Old Lyme
TOP STORY: Political Newcomer Christy Zelek Elected Lyme First Selectman on Promise to Bring People Together
LYME–Voters in a rare contested race for first selectman have endorsed the ideals of volunteerism, collaboration and consensus with the election of Democrat-supported unaffiliated candidate Christy Zelek over Republican Tom St. Louis. Zelek will serve on the Board of Selectpeople with incumbent Democratic Selectman John Kiker and St. Louis. The decisive … [Read more...] about TOP STORY: Political Newcomer Christy Zelek Elected Lyme First Selectman on Promise to Bring People Together