Closures, Cancellations, Postponements & Online Meetings/Events in Lyme, Old Lyme: Updated May 21

LYME & OLD LYME: This is our ongoing summary of closures, cancellations and more in our local area related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have included updates as of May 21 in red.

Please email us at [email protected] with any additions or corrections.  Many thanks to all who have been updating us regularly done so already.

And PLEASE continue to stay safe and healthy, do not gather in groups of more than FIVE, practice social distancing at all times and keep washing those hands …

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

The Primary election scheduled for April 28, rescheduled originally to June 2, has now been rescheduled again to Aug. 11.  Governor Lamont has signed an executive order allowing all registered voters in Connecticut to vote absentee in these primary elections. Every registered voter in the state will receive an application by mail that they will need to fill out and return in order to obtain an absentee ballot. That application, which will be sent via U.S. Postal Service, will include a postage paid return envelope. After processing the applications at the local level, all voters who requested an absentee ballot will receive the ballots in the mail, which will also include a postage paid return envelope. Each town will also have a secure dropbox in a prominent location to allow voters to deliver their absentee ballots in person without close personal contact. For more information on the Primary elections, visit the Town of Lyme website or the Town of Old Lyme website. Absentee ballots will be available on July 21.

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

Old Lyme Town Hall: Closed to the public, but town hall will be staffed and offices reachable by phone and email. People who need to conduct face-to-face business with a department must call that department to discuss whether they can schedule an appointment. Full details at this link. All meetings are now being in a virtual environment. Visit the town website for access details.

Lyme Town Hall: Closed to the public. Residents may contact Town Hall during normal business hours by phone at 860-434-7733 or the Board of Selectmen by email at [email protected]. Full details at this link. All meetings are now being in a virtual environment. Visit the town website for access details.

Lymes’ Senior Center: Closed until further notice. The town nurse will still remain open at this site Monday to Friday 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Those normally eating lunch at the center will be able to order a lunch “to go” at the Estuary Senior Center in Old Saybrook by calling (860) 388-1611 before 11 a.m. the day before. Those wishing to use this service must go to the Estuary in Old Saybrook to pick it up. Full details at this link.

SCHOOLS/YOUTH/DAYCARE

Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools:

• All LOL Schools and the Central Office are closed through the end of the school year. Staff members are still working and available by phone and email.
• Breakfasts and lunches are being are being distributed FREE for all students attending LOL Schools regardless of their economic status. Pick up hours are from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in front of the high school. Anyone can pick up a meal provided he/she has the name(s) of the student for whom the meal is intended.
• The next LOL Schools Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6, at 6 p.m. and will be held virtually. Staff who are retiring will be celebrated. Members of the public may join the meeting by using the access link on the schools’  website.

Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB): All LYSB programs are cancelled through at least May 20. Programs will be resumed when Lyme-Old Lyme Schools re-open. LYSB staff will be in touch regarding rescheduling and/or refunds when more information is available. Staff members are working on a modified schedule and are available by phone and email. Let them know if they can help your family during this time.

Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center: Closed through May 20, when the situation will be re-assessed to see if the closure needs to continue.

Old Lyme Parks and Recreation Department: All Town of Old Lyme Recreation Facilities will be closed to all team/group use until further notice. These facilities include Town Woods Park, Hains Park and Cross Lane Park.

LIBRARIES

Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library: Closed to the public until further notice. Staff will continue to answer phone and email inquiries as they are able.  Complete contact information can be found here. In the meantime, readers are encouraged to make use of online collections (e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and more) found on the library website.

Lyme Public Library: Closed to the public until further notice. Library staff will report to work and do their best to help patrons via phone and email. Interlibrary loan service has been suspended due to the large number of libraries in CT that are closed. Digital services are available 24/7 for ebooks, audio books, tv shows, and movies. Library staff will try to assist you in setting up your accounts via phone if you are not already using these services.

FOOD PANTRIES/SOUP KITCHENS

Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries has closed all meal sites but maintained their food pantry pick-up service. No registration is required – groceries will be brought outside to client.

LOCAL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS NOW OFFERING TAKE-OUT

See this new listing of take-out options prepared by LYSB staff

Bee and Thistle Inn: Restaurant is closed temporarily until further notice, but is now offering take out, Wednesday-Sunday, 5 to 7:30 p.m. To place your order, call the inn at 860-434-1667. Bee & Thistle Inn staff will gladly bring your order to your car. As always, the safest and cleanest food preparation is being practiced.

Kokomo’s Restaurant & Beach Bar: Open for takeout and delivery options Sunday through Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call 860-390-6403 or visit http://ow.ly/HYHe50yO8Jx to place your order now and save 20%.

Old Lyme Inn restaurant & Side Door Jazz Club:Both closed until further notice.

The Hideaway: Now offering curb side take-out. Call 860-434-1455 and order. Staff will bring your take-out to your car.

Teddy’s Old Lyme Pizza Palace: Open for pick-up orders only. Use their online ordering system at teddysoldlymepizzapalace.com

HEALTH SERVICES

Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association has cancelled all visits. Call Cindi Taylor at 860-876-0456 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if you would like prescriptions picked up.

Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) Contact the regional health center by phone at 860-448-4882 and/or e-mail at [email protected]

TRANSPORTATION

9 Town Transit: Shoreline area residents have responded to the Governor’s request to limit travel and 9 Town Transit has consequently seen a significant decrease in riders.  As a result, the following temporary service adjustment is being made from Monday, April 6, until further notice:
Route 641 to Madison will operate on a Saturday schedule Monday through Saturday.
All other routes, Dial-A-Ride and ADA paratransit will continue to operate on a regular schedule.

THE ARTS

Cappella Cantorum: All Cappella Cantorum activities have been cancelled until further notice.

Con Brio: It is hoped the annual program of Summer Sings will go ahead, but updates will be issued in due course subject to the COVID-19 trajectory, the availability of the church, and Government Orders concerning large gatherings.

Florence Griswold Museum: Closed to the public through at least May 31; all programs cancelled during this time.  The Garden Luncheon scheduled for early May has been cancelled.  The Artists’ Trail is still open — a half-mile walk around the Museum’s riverfront landscape and gardens — and the Museum encourages folk to take a stroll along it. Check the FloGris website and social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) to stay up-to-date about the Museum’s status and enjoy beautiful images, on-line exhibitions and classes, fun facts, and behind-the-scenes videos.

Lyme Art Association (LAA):LAA galleries are now closed and all programs and events are postponed until further notice. Check out all the ways you can join their virtual community, including a visit to the new online exhibition, Birds & Bees. Staff may be contacted by email, and intermittently by phone.

Lyme Academy of Fine Arts: Campus closed until further notice. The Academy is not planning to cancel the classes beginning April 20 at this time, so enrollment is still open. It is also planned to reschedule the first lecture in the portrait series — new date will be posted as soon as it is available. Staff are working at home. If you have any questions, contact [email protected] or [email protected] or call  860.434.5232. A limited number of online classes are now being offered — visit this link to access them.

Musical Masterworks: All concerts for the remainder of the season are cancelled. Meanwhile, enjoy this small musical offering of Mendelssohn’s Song Without Words, Opus 109, for Cello and Piano from the living room of Edward Arron and Jeewon Park to brighten your day.

Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds: The studio and indoor facilities will be closed to the public until further notice. However, individuals are still welcome to stroll the grounds, enjoy nature and view the public artwork outdoors at the Sculpture Grounds, so long as you practice social distancing and other infection reduction strategies as outlined by the CDC. Sculptor Gil Boro has always encouraged visitors to touch and engage with the artwork, however, at this time, he asks that you refrain from all physical contact with the sculptures. Studio 80 continues to accept submissions for large- and small-scale outdoor works for their 2020 Summer Sculpture Showcase, as well as site-specific ecological installations. A safe date has not yet been determined for the opening events.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

Christ The King Church: All Masses are temporarily suspended in terms of in-person attendance. The 5 p.m. mass on Saturdays and the 10:30 a.m. mass on Sundays are being live-streamed — details for accessing the link are on the church website. Faith Formation classes at Christ the King Church are canceled until further notice.

First Congregational Church of Old Lyme: Sunday worship services are cancelled until further notice. A service is recorded each week and then posted online each Sunday morning and also disseminated through the church website, Facebook page and email.

First Congregational Church of Lyme:  Email Pastor Susan Olson at [email protected] or Emily Bjornberg for the URL to view the Sunday, April 5 online service, which will also be streamed onto Facebook live at: https://www.facebook.com/lymechurchct

Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church: Worship services are cancelled and will be resumed Sunday, May 17. Online services are available at this link.

South Lyme Union Chapel: Worship services are cancelled until further notice.

 

LYME & OLD LYME BUSINESSES, CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS & EVENTS

Bonne Sante: Closed until further notice.

High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.: All activities suspended until further notice. The Big Barn Bash scheduled for June 13 has also been postponed.

Lyme Land Trust: All planned events cancelled until further notice. The Tour de Lyme has been postponed until Sunday, Sept. 13.

Potapaug Audubon: All programs cancelled until further notice.

Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC): Center on Halls Road is closed and staff are working from home as RTPEC transitions to a virtual center. Children’s education programs are also suspended, but teacher naturalists are in communication with schools to implement virtual backyard nature programs for children and families. Outdoor field trips are cancelled for the time being; however, they will begin them again as soon as it is safe to do so. Follow RTPEC on social media to find out about their interactive, fun and educational opportunities for all ages.

The Bowerbird: Now offering free curbside pick-up. Phone in your order or order online through their website, selecting “In-Store Pickup” at checkout. Leave a note for curbside pick-up in the comments.

Vitality Spa: Closed temporarily until further notice.

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Further afield in the local region:

Connecticut River Museum: CRM is closed until it is permitted to reopen. Check back often for updates. Staff are not in the office but are reachable by phone and email. Full details at this link.

Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO): As a result of the current health crisis, the ECSO must regrettably cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season, including the rescheduled Spring Strings concert that was to take place on May 23 (originally March 25), our April 25 season finale – Feast & Fireworks, and the Young People’s Concerts that were rescheduled to May 19.

Essex Winter Series: The 2020 season has been cancelled.

Ivoryton Playhouse: The 2020 season has been cancelled.

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, “The Kate”: All performances through April 30 are postponed, but tickets to future events are now available.

Madison Lyric Stage: Madison Lyric Stage is unable to bring the double-bill production of Suor Angelica and Erwartung, scheduled for June 4-14, to the public. ​​It is their hope that they can reschedule this production as a part of our 2021 season.  It is also their hope that they will be able to bring the public the remaining two productions in their season:  The Boys in the Band in July, and Sweeney Todd in October. For more information, visit madisonlyricstage.org or call 203-215-6329.

Mystic Seaport: The Museum will reopen to the public Saturday, May 23. This is the start to a gradual return to regular operation and for the initial weeks visitors will be able to access only the outdoors portion of the grounds.Read the latest updates at this link.

SECWAC (Southeast Connecticut World Affairs Council): All programs cancelled. As we all manage social distancing and the temporary changes to our daily lives, SECWAC is working to bring virtual programs to its membership.