Faith Leitner will play her harp Thursday afternoon in the Florence Griswold Museum as she celebrates, “An Ode to the New Year.”

OLD LYME — Listen to the sounds of yesteryear on the eve of a new year Thursday, Dec. 31, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.

Faith Leitner will play a variety of songs in an Ode to the New Year filling the Krieble Galleries with the beautiful sounds of the harp, which was one of Miss Florence’s favored instruments.

Visitors can also see the actual harp that Miss Florence’s father brought back for her from England in the Florence Griswold House. She cherished it and wanted it in the portrait that Alphonse Jongers painted of her, which is on display in the current exhibition.

This event is included with Museum admission, which must be purchased or reserved at least 24 hours in advance.

For more information, visit www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Historical Society hosts the second day of their Annual Fall Plant Sale at the Society‘s 55 Lyme Street location today, Sunday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They will have potted perennials and annuals of all types and sizes.

Proceeds will support the mission of the Society, which is to collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history of Old Lyme, Conn. and its environs for the benefit of residents and visitors. 

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

Editor’s Note: It seems timely to quote my late Aunt Myfanwy on this day:

“As is the mother, so is the home.
As is the home, so is the nation.”

Such is the power of the mother … and funny thing, Aunty Myfanwy was never a mother herself … but she was like a mother to us all.

OLD LYME — The annual ‘Elephants in Winter’ Christmas Sale in the Fellowship Hall at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL) at 2 Ferry Rd. will be held Saturday, Dec.7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the Christmas version of the extremely popular White Elephant Sale hosted annually by the church in July.

The Sale features Christmas decorations, artificial trees, garlands and wreaths,lights,window candles, holiday china and glassware, baskets and cookie tins, tree ornaments, stuffed animals and toys,gently used, all at bargain prices.

Find new unique gifts for your Christmas list – original works of art from Haiti and lovingly sewn or knitted creations from our Ladies Who Stitch: beautiful mittens, hats, scarves, shawls, throws, totes and more.

Items will also be on sale from several more of the FCCOL mission partnerships such as the Lakota Reservation at Green Grass on the Cheyenne River in South Dakota, and from Palestine.

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

Santa will be in Old Lyme on Saturday.

OLD LYME — Take ‘Pictures with Santa’ this morning in the Old Lyme Town Hall between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

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!

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

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