Old Lyme Fire Department members will demonstrate the ‘Jaws of Life’ at their Open House on Wednesday. File photo.

The Old Lyme Fire Department will host its annual Open House this evening, Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at the main firehouse located on 69 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Conn.

Activities will include

• Fire safety and firefighting demonstrations.
• Fire truck rides
• Bike Rodeo and helmet giveaway
• Life jacket information from the DEEP
• CHIP Child ID Program information

Learn how to prevent this!

State of the art firefighting apparatus and equipment will also be demonstrated and on display.

Information pertinent to preventing fire-related incidents and home evacuation will be available for all ages.

Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel will be on hand to answer any questions the public may have to ensure a safer environment for children and adults.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce will host a Dinner Meeting at The Hideaway on Wednesday, Sept. 25.  Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m.

The guest speaker will be Matthew Strekel, Director of Development, Florence Griswold Museum, and Lyme resident, who will discuss the importance to the business community of Lyme and Old Lyme of the vast number of visitors that the Museum draws to the area.  Upcoming Chamber events and activities, including the Old Lyme Selectmen’s Candidate Debate to be hosted by the Chamber in October, future Business After Hours evenings, and news from members, will all be on the agenda too.

All are welcome including non-members, who may be interested in finding out more about the Chamber.  Admission is $25.

For further information or to register, visit this link or send an email to email@lolcc.com.

The Red Satin Band will perform at Sound View on Thursday, Aug. 7.

The Town of Old Lyme and the Sound View Commission are sponsoring a family-friendly concert series at Sound View Beach this summer.

The next event in the 2019 series will be held tomorrow evening, Thursday, Aug. 7, starting at 7 p.m. and will feature the Red Satin Band with vocalist Valerie Rogers playing the best of swing, jazz, Big Band along with some R&B, classic rock, and funk — in a nutshell, the greatest hits from a lifetime of music.

The 12-piece Red Satin Band has played to great reviews throughout the northeast to audiences of all ages. 

The free, outdoor concerts will take place from 7 through 8.30 p.m., near the flag pole at the end of Hartford Avenue by Sound View Beach.

Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a great evening of music!

For more information, visit www.redsatinband.com

The final concert will be held Thursday, Aug. 22, and feature the Silver Cornet Band.

Featured annually at the Norwich “Taste of Italy” the Silver Cornet Band will present an enjoyable evening of all your favorite Italian songs and more. This concert is presented by arrangement with the American Federation of Musicians LOCAL #: 285-403

For more information about both concerts, contact the Sound View Commission at www.oldlyme-ct.gov

‘Four Barrel Billy’ will perform at Sound View Thursday evening.

The next concert  of the 2019 series will be held Thursday, July 11, and features the ‘Four Barrel Billy’ band. Described as an American Roots Rock n’ Roll band, this group offers, “Hot-rod rockabilly, reverb drenched surf, old school 50’s rock ‘n roll, edgy 60’s pop, swing  and honky-tonk”  The sound combines, “fat guitar, thumpin’ upright bass and tight vocal harmonies.”

Stop by Sound View Thursday evening and enjoy this free outdoor concert.  It will take place from 7 through 8.30 p.m., near the flag pole at the end of Hartford Avenue at Sound View Beach.

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and settle in for a great evening of sunset music.

Everyone is welcome to attend these family-friendly events.

In case of rain, the concert will be held in the Shoreline Community Center on Hartford Ave.

The Old Lyme Town Band will give a concert tonight at Sound View.

OLD LYME — The Town of Old Lyme and the Sound View Commission are sponsoring family-friendly concerts at Sound View Beach this summer.

The first concert in the 2017 series will be held tomorrow evening, Thursday, June 27,, and feature the Old Lyme Town Band.  The free outdoor concerts will take place from 7 through 8.30 p.m., near the flag pole at the end of Hartford Avenue at Sound View Beach.

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and settle in for a lovely evening of sunset music.  The band plays a little bit of everything from marches, movie-themed medleys, and jazz, to big band, pop, and classical. Everyone is welcome to attend these family-friendly events.

There is no rain location for this concert.

The original Old Lyme Town Band existed from 1886 to 1910. The band members practiced in the “Band Room,” a building on the corner of Shore and Ferry Roads that has since been converted to a residence.

In the summer of 1975, Michele Smith Dickey, a granddaughter of one of the original band members, re-formed the band in anticipation of the US bicentennial celebration. Dickey took lessons on a trombone which reputedly belonged to a member of the original Old Lyme Town Band.

Donald Janse, then director of cadet musical activities at the US Coast Guard Academy and past director of the Coast Guard Band, was the first conductor of the modern band.

to all moms — and all those fulfilling the role of mom — everywhere!  And special thoughts to all those missing their moms today ….

Geraniums and more will be on sale Friday and Saturday at the Duck River Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale.

Enjoy a weekend of flowers, plants and more!

The annual fundraising plant sale, sponsored by the Duck River Garden Club of Old Lyme, will be held Friday, May 10, from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Lyme Shopping Center on Hall’s Road (near The Hideaway Restaurant.)

Pre-order beautiful geraniums at $5 each in the following colors: red, white, pink or fuchsia.  Call 860-434-9094 or 860-434-8827 to order by Tuesday, May 7, for pick up Friday, May 10.

Pick out that special gift for Mom or browse the club’s selection of heirloom tomatoes, annuals, and vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, geraniums, perennials and shrubs that will be available.

Flowers, plants, vegetables, herbs and so much more … sprinkled with plenty of advice and good humor … at Duck River Garden Club’s Annual Sale.

If you are a gardening bargain hunter, check out “The Garden Shed” filled with great Tag Sale items.  There are also new shrubs, trees and rose tables this year.

There will be more than 600 member’s plants as well as heirloom tomatoes, annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, shrubs geraniums and a an area of the member’s homemade pastries and hot coffee called,“Delectable Edibles,” to make your shopping  more enjoyable.

All proceeds from the sale go to ongoing civic projects, which include scholarships, senior’s garden therapy program, holiday wreaths for public buildings, baskets for families in need, and maintenance of plants at town locations. The Duck River Garden Club members look forward to seeing you and can help with any questions.

For more information about the Duck River Garden Club, visit www.oldlymeduckrivergc.org

Back by popular demand Matilda Browne, one of the key members of the Lyme Art Colony, comes to life in this first-person theatrical appearance by writer and actor Diana Dunlap. Enjoy our visitor from yesteryear who was born on May 8, 1869, as she strolls through the Griswold House, telling stories of a life filled with art and adventure.

The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme presents its annual Community Free Day on Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Old Lyme. The event offers free admission to the Museum’s 12-acre campus, and includes family friendly activities and a special appearance by Diana Dulap portraying artist Matilda Browne in the Florence Griswold House from 11am to 4pm.

“Our Community Free Day is a great way for all ages to spend the day at the Museum,” stated David D.J. Rau, Director of Education and Outreach. “The fun and educational activities planned for this year are a wonderful introduction for the many first-time visitors we get on this annual day.”

Museum-goers visiting the original Florence Griswold House are treated to guides sharing stories of the Lyme Art Colony artists who stayed with Miss Florence in the boardinghouse over 100 years ago. The house, decorated as it was in 1910, includes the original paintings that artists created on the door and wall panels of the house.

On view in the Museum’s Krieble Gallery, the exhibition The Great Americans: Portraits by Jac Lahav asks the question, who are our national heroes? Benjamin Franklin? Rosa Parks? Albert Einstein? Lahav’s nearly seven-foot-tall paintings of 30+ famous figures are a celebration of America layered with references to history, lore, and imagery that shape our understanding of these larger-than-life icons. Through his psychologically complex and sometimes cheeky treatment of iconic figures from politicians to celebrities, Lahav explores the nature of cultural identity.

One day only! Matilda Browne, one of the key members of the Lyme Art Colony, comes to life in this first-person theatrical appearance by writer and actor Diana Dunlap. Enjoy our visitor from yesteryear who was born on May 8, 1869, as she strolls through the Griswold House, telling stories of a life filled with art and adventure from 11am to 4pm.

At 2pm, William J. Mann, awarding-winning biographer, LGBTQ activist, professor, and Director of Central Connecticut State University’s LGBT Center, gives a gallery talk focusing on two figures from the current exhibition, The Great Americans. Mann has made a career of deconstructing the enduring appeal of American icons.

Visit the Florence Griswold Museum on Sunday during Community Free Day.

Central to his book The Wars of the Roosevelts (2016), is a fascinating alternative picture of Eleanor, who witnessed firsthand the brutality of politics (her uncle Theodore’s politically expedient destruction of her father Elliott and her husband Franklin’s management of his extramarital affairs), emerging stronger as a result. Moreover, Mann’s discussion of Eleanor’s own outside relationships with both men and women are grounded in a 21st-century awareness. As a professor of LGBT history, he has also considered the legacy of Harvey Milk, openly gay San Francisco Supervisor assassinated in 1978, who has arguably become more famous and important in death than in life.

While at the Museum, families are encouraged to follow scavenger hunt cards in the Florence Griswold House, and uncover art details in the Krieble art gallery with “Can You Find Me” game cards.

Families can pick up the keepsake publication, My Sticker Book Guide to the Florence Griswold Museum. The beautifully illustrated booklet tells the story of Miss Florence and her artist friends. Each time a child visits the Museum, they earn a sticker to complete one of the booklet illustrations. Those who collect all six stickers receive a gift.

From 11am- 4pm, drop in at the Museum’s Education Center for a quick painting lesson before heading down to the river or out in the garden for an afternoon of painting. All materials included. Adventurers of all ages can learn more about nature through a selection of Explorer Kits. All materials included.

Free Day attendees can also visit the Chadwick Art Studio, presented as it would have looked in 1920, the Rafal Landscape Center, as well as the Museum’s gardens and grounds along the Lieutenant River. The award-winning Café Flo will be open for lunch.

A consistent recipient of a Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence, the Florence Griswold Museum has been called a “Giverny in Connecticut” by the Wall Street Journal, and a “must-see” by the Boston Globe. In addition to the restored Florence Griswold House, the Museum features a gallery for changing art exhibitions, education and landscape centers, a restored artist’s studio, twelve acres along the Lieutenant River, and extensive gardens. The Museum is located at 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut. Visit FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org for more information.

Lymes’ Youth Services Bureau (LYSB) presents the 22nd annual performance of The Bizz, Friday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lyme-Old Lyme High School auditorium. The show celebrates the talent that abounds in the youth of our community and the venue offers increased seating over the middle school auditorium.

The show features more than 20 acts, which include singing, dancing, instrumental and bands, all performed by talented Lyme-Old Lyme youth.

LYSB Director Mary Seidner told LymeLine that possibly a record number of acts auditioned this year, noting,”Unfortunately we didn’t have room for all of them.  We saw many talented performers and we congratulate everyone on their creativity and energy.”

The show has sold out several times in recent years, so early arrival is recommended.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $8 at the door.  Tickets can be ordered in advance at this link.

All proceeds from the show benefit LYSB programs.

For more information, call 860-434-7208.