The annual ‘Elephants in Winter’ Sale in the Fellowship Hall at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL) at 2 Ferry Rd. will be held Saturday, Dec.1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the Christmas version of the extremely popular White Elephant Sale hosted annually by the church in July.

The sale continues after the Sunday, Dec. 2 services at 9 and 11 a.m. from 10 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 1 p.m.   There will be no half-price sale this year.

Christmas decorations and gifts along with handmade items from the Sewing Group will be on sale.  Items will also be on sale from the many FCCOL mission partnerships: from the Lakota Reservation at Green Grass on the Cheyenne River in South Dakota, from Haiti, and from Palestine.

Items will also be on sale during the Ladies Benevolent Society’s (LBS) luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Enjoy some holiday shopping for a great cause at this event.

Santa will be in Old Lyme on Saturday.

We just heard that Santa will be dropping into the Old Lyme Town Hall tomorrow morning between 10 a.m. and 12 noon and would love to meet as many children as possible during his visit!

Moreover, children can have their photo taken with Santa at no charge.

Donations to the Lyme Youth Service Bureau’s Youth Advisory Council scholarship fund will be accepted.

And Santa is even bringing some of his elves with him, who will help little ones write their own letters to the North Pole!

Don’t miss him … he has a hectic schedule and won’t be able to stay past noon!

What shall I buy? Customers are spoiled for choice at Child & Family’s Annual Cookie Walk.

Don’t have time to bake but want beautiful, homemade holiday cookies to enjoy at family gatherings? Tired of pre-made cookie trays with cookies you might not want?

Come to Child & Family Agency’s Holiday Cookie Walk on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon (or as long as the cookies last!) at its new location in Old Lyme Town Hall, and create your own cookie assortment!

At the Cookie Walk, you decide which cookies — and how many — you want to purchase. Cookies are then weighed and boxed for purchase. Get there early for the best selection!

Also available for sale will be sets of note cards depicting local scenes of Lyme and Old Lyme, ornaments, tote bags, and Child & Family Agency cookbooks.

Proceeds benefit the programs and projects of Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut.

This year’s Cookie Walk at the Old Lyme Town Hall on Lyme Street will be located along with LYSB’s Santa. While you’re choosing cookies, the kids can get a picture taken with Santa (donations to LYSB, the Lymes Youth Service Bureau) There will be much to do along Lyme Street that day, all part of the “Light Up Old Lyme” festival.

Child & Family Agency is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture children and families to develop their strengths through service, partnership, and advocacy.

With offices in New London, Essex, and Groton, and programs dealing with children’s health care, child abuse, family violence, teen pregnancy, parent education, and child guidance, Child & Family Agency is the largest nonprofit children’s service provider in southeastern Connecticut. Volunteers and supporters are always welcome.

For more information, see www.childandfamilyagency.org.

Questions on the Cookie Walk should be directed to CFA.LOLauxiliary@gmail.com.

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 Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will be held at the main firehouse located on 69 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Conn.

Learn how to prevent this!

Activities will include fire safety and firefighting demonstrations. State of the art firefighting apparatus and equipment will 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.

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 11, from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Lyme Shopping Center on Hall’s Road (near The Hideaway Restaurant.)

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.

If you are a gardening bargain hunter, check out the 600+ Member’s Plants from member’s own gardens and “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.

Pre-order beautiful geraniums at $5 each in the following colors: red, white, pink, magenta or corral. Call by Thursday, May 10, for pick up Friday, May 11.

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 membership in Duck River Garden Club, call Kathy Burton at 860-434-8024 or president, Barbara Rayel at 860-434-2354.

The Florence Griswold Museum’s Gallery Garden will be in full bloom during “Free Day” on Sunday.

The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme presents its annual Community Free Day on Sunday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Old Lyme. The event offers free admission to the Museum’s 13-acre campus, and includes family friendly activities and a special appearance by Brian Miller Magic at noon and 2:00pm.

Brian Miller will perform at the FloGris on Sunday.

“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 are two exhibitions. Pen to Paper: Artists’ Handwritten Letters from the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art and PS: Letters from the Lyme Art Colony. The exhibitions reveal the beauty and intimacy of the craft of letter writing. Examples of the artist’s work hang beside selected letters.

On May 6, Community Free Day visitors will hear about life in an artists’ boardinghouse at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.

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.

Families are invited to create hands-on crafts during Community Free Day on May 6, at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.

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.

Artists and adventurers of all ages can enjoy painting outside in the gardens and learning more about nature through a selection of Explorer Kits. All materials included.

 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. 

Be one of the first to pick up the newest 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.

A historic center for American art, the Florence Griswold Museum is considered the Home of American Impressionism. The Museum is located at 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, exit 70 off I-95.

For additional information contact the Museum at 860-434-5542 or www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org.

Editor’s Note: The recipient of a Trip Advisor 2016 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, thirteen 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 21st annual performance of The Bizz tomorrow, Friday, May 3, 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.

All proceeds from the show benefit LYSB programs.

For more information, call 860-434-7208.