In the LymeLight: Preserving History and Making Music
The Lyme Public Hall and Local History Archives rang in 2026 by recognizing longtime contributors Bill Denow and Ann Brubaker at its traditional New Year’s Day celebration.
Celebrating Neighbors Whose Stories Brighten Lyme and Old Lyme
From inspiring feats to everyday deeds, In the LymeLight recognizes the people with ties to our community whose dedication makes a difference.
The Lyme Public Hall and Local History Archives rang in 2026 by recognizing longtime contributors Bill Denow and Ann Brubaker at its traditional New Year’s Day celebration.
Denow received the Merit Award for generous donations, recognizing not only financial support but also extraordinary contributions of time and energy. President Rolf Wolfswinkel in his remarks described Denow as “practically synonymous” with the Lyme Public Hall, citing Denow’s roles as a general building manager, organizer of the annual tag sale, chef for the popular chowder dinner, and a driving force behind the renovation of the basement space.
Brubaker was honored with the Hiram Maxim II Award for the Preservation of Lyme’s Cultural Heritage. Only the third recipient since the award was instituted in 2008 after the death of its namesake town historian, Brubaker joins Carolyn Bacdayan and Parker Lord. Wolfswinkel praised Brubaker’s decades of quiet, steady work in the Lyme Public Hall Archives, where she has served as archivist despite repeatedly declining the title. Rolfswinkel credited Brubaker with playing a central role in preserving the town’s historical record.
The awards are commemorated on plaques displayed in the hall.
The Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation has awarded 18 private music study scholarships for 2026 to students from Lyme-Old Lyme High School and Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.
High school recipients are Anna Fitzpatrick Nager, Mary Kane (Banker Family Scholarship), Scarlett Blatter, Benjamin Mattox (Doc Mirlani Jazz Scholarship), Avery Zbierski, Ceciley Buckley, Morgan Buerger, Gavin Goulis, Emelia Munster, Caterina Wilson, and Oliver Wyman.
Middle school recipients are Reuben Blatter, Max Garvin, Natalie Gibbons, Jackson Basham, Cole Barris, Ella Davis, and Olivia Rozanski-Rose.
Founded in 1999 following the retirement of longtime music educator Ruth Ann (King) Heller, the nonprofit foundation supports private music instruction for students participating in Lyme-Old Lyme school band programs. Donations may be sent to the foundation at P.O. Box 298, Old Lyme, CT, 06371, or by clicking on this link.
Do you know a neighbor worth celebrating? Awards, accomplishments, and quiet acts of kindness all belong in the LymeLight. Please share your suggestions in an email to editor@lymeline.com.
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