Meeting ID: 882 1266 5835
Passcode: 838868
Membership of FOWC is: Single – $15; Household – $25. To renew or become a member, send payment to FOWC, PO Box 333, Hadlyme, CT 06439.For more information about membership, volunteering, or FOWC goals & mission, send email to: [email protected]
LOL Partnership for Social Justice & FCCOL Sponsor Zoom Presentation by Nationally Recognized Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE)™ Program Developed by Civil Rights Activists & Law Enforcement at Georgetown Law Center
LYME/OLD LYME – On Sunday, Apr. 11, at 5 p.m., residents from across Connecticut are invited to participate in a conversation via Zoom on creating stronger police department cultures through the Georgetown Law Center’s nationally recognized Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE)™ program.
The conversation, which will take place on Zoom, is being sponsored by the Lyme-Old Lyme Partnership for Social Justice and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL).
All are welcome to register for this free program by sending an email to [email protected]. Zoom invitations will be sent out Saturday, April 10.
Building upon a training developed by Dr. Ervin Staub, the founding director of a program on the psychology of peace and violence at the University of Massachusetts, ABLE was developed by academics, civil rights activists and police officers working together to explore innovative and evidence-based ways to reduce harmful behavior.
The ABLE program leverages social science and real-world experience to teach practical skills to intervene in another officer’s conduct in order to prevent misconduct (be it an unlawful search or a knee on a neck), reduce mistakes, and promote officer-health and -wellness. In doing so, ABLE seeks to instill a culture within police departments where it becomes the norm to intervene before harm takes place.
Other professions, including the medical profession, already have benefited from similar training, but it has never been applied to law enforcement – until now.
In announcing the event, FCCOL Senior Minister Rev. Steve Jungkeit said, “As the murder of George Floyd once again enters the news cycle, there is renewed interest in measures to prevent police violence. One quite promising model for reform can be found in ABLE.”
While the program has been operational in New Orleans since 2016 under a different name, ABLE was given a national stage by Georgetown University Law Center and the global law firm Sheppard Mullin LLP in late 2020. The first national ABLE training took place in September 2020, and in the months that followed, more than 100 agencies have committed to the program, including Boston, the New York City Police Department and Old Lyme.
Panelists expected to speak during the presentation include:
- Jonathan Aronie, Partner, Sheppard Mullin; Chair, ABLE Project Board of Advisors
- Brett Parson, Lieutenant, DC Metropolitan Police Officer (retired); Lead Training Instructor, ABLE Project
- Greg Guiton, Director of Strategic Partnerships, FBI National Academy; Captain, Ocean City Police Department (retired)
- Greg Hanna, Captain, Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Police (retired)
- Deirdre Jones, Deputy Chief and LGBTQ Liaison, Cleveland Division of Police
- John Thomas, Deputy Chief, Field Operations, New Orleans Police Department
- Matt Weber, Resident State Trooper, Old Lyme
“The ABLE Project was created to ensure every police officer in the United States has the opportunity to receive meaningful, effective active bystandership training while helping law enforcement agencies transform their approach to policing,” said Professor Christy Lopez, co director of Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program, which runs ABLE.
She added, “Having duty-to intervene policies on the books isn’t enough. Building a police culture that supports and sustains the successful use of proven peer intervention strategies is key to preventing harm.”
During the community conversation, residents will be able to learn about the origin of the program, hear from civil rights activists, who shaped the program, and from police departments that have adopted it, and learn about ways to bring this important training to Connecticut communities.
Wednesday, April 14:
“Pollinator-Friendly Lawns”
Join a free webinar with garden author Tom Christopher, host of Growing Greener podcasts.
Sponsored by Pollinate Old Lyme!
Zoom link to be provided after April 10.
Sign up at [email protected]
OLD LYME — Zoom signups are now open for a free presentation on Pollinator-Friendly Lawns with Tom Christopher. All are welcome to the presentation, which begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14.
Email [email protected] to request the Zoom link.
Eileen Hunt Botting presents“The Politics of Epidemics, from Thucydides to Mary Shelley to COVID-19”
When: Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Registration required. The link to join us will be emailed with your registration confirmation. We will be using Zoom meetings. https://scwac.
If you are new to Zoom virtual meetings and would like to learn more about how to join us, visit zoom.us for more information. Also, feel free to call us at 860-912-5718 for technical advice prior to the event. We will not be able to resolve issues during the meeting. A link to the recording will be shared via email following the meeting.
Presenter: Eileen Hunt Botting, University of Notre Dame
The Topic: Eileen Hunt Botting will review our perceptions of pandemics through the writings of Greek historian and general Thucydides (of “The History of the Peloponnesian War” fame), Mary Shelley (of “Frankenstein” and “The Last Man” fame), and more contemporary writers like Mike Davis (“The Monster at Our Door” and “The Monster Enters”). In her recent essay in “Current History”, Professor Botting points out that plague has been “depicted as escalating within wider and deeper patterns of human social and political conflict”, arguing that “we ought to pause and consider the responses of past thinkers to the contagions that beset them”. In this way, perhaps, we may, to paraphrase Georges Santayana, avoid repeating past mistakes by learning from history, rather than being condemned to repeat it.
You can access her essay HERE.
Cost: Free for members, guests $20
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Historical Society presents the second lecture in its Spring Series, Wednesday, April 14 at 7 p.m.
Markham Starr presents, “Down on the Farm: The Last Dairy Farms of North Stonington.’ At the end of WWII, there were over 4000 dairy farms in Connecticut. Currently there are less than 100 farms still making milk commercially. This talk follows the operation of four family-owned farms thoughout the course of a year.
For log in info email the OLHS.
Follow-up Work Party
Saturday, April 17
Join volunteers on the old bridge access road between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
(Rain date Saturday, April 24th)
Come help detangle the wooded lot next to the old bridge abutment off Halls Road. Bring gloves, clippers, loppers, rakes, and hand-saws and be ready to do some bush-whacking.
Wear your protective clothing, & use tick repellant, it’s a jungle in there!
In the fall of 2018, the Halls Road Improvements Committee began the work to remove trash and untangle the wooded lot leading to the old bridge abutment on the Lieutenant River. It’s time to finish the project near the river and collect up any litter in the lot.
This is a fun way to get to know your neighbors and contribute to the efforts of Halls Road improvements.
Work in small socially-distanced groups, with masks on, to pull all the dead wood, trash, and invasive plants out to the access road.
Later, Old Lyme Public Works crew will dispose of the piles and do any final chain-sawing needed.
Saturday, April 17,
10:30 am:
“Forest Bathing along the Artists’ Trail”
Enjoy an outdoor experience with certified forest bathing guide Regan Stacey at the Florence Griswold Museum, ($45, for on-site event).
Register at https://
Nip the Knotweed with Master Gardener, Suzanne Thompson
Join Gardener/Writer Suzanne Thompson in her Nip the Knotweed campaign – an organic method of starving back the encroaching plants and releasing and reintroducing desired native plants and ecosystems. Taking on Japanese Knotweed this way can be therapeutic exercise and a good reason to get out into nature.
“Nip the Knotweed” is a free webinar offered by the Old Lyme-PGN Library.
Sign up for the Zoom link at http://oldlymelibrary.org.
Thursday, April 22:
Earth Day!
Get in on the count with CT Audubon’s annual Backyard BioBlitz and help count nature’s species including birds, insects, fungi, and plants with iNaturalist ID app.
Learn more at www.ctaudubon.org
OLD LYME — This meeting will include the continuation of the Public Hearing regarding Big Y’s gas station/convenience store proposal at 99 Halls Rd. and 25 Neck Rd.,
Lyme Board of Finance will hold a Public Hearing (via zoom) for the proposed 2021/2022 budget for the town.
OLD LYME — A small but mighty single cell organism, plankton, pictured above, is the base of the marine food web.
Dr. Hans Dam
In a free lecture presented by the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center on April 29 at 6 p.m. via Zoom, Hans Dam, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Connecticut, will speak about the evolutionary ecology of plankton and its vulnerability to climate change. His lecture is titled, The Secret Life of Plankton: The Base of the Marine Food Web.
Register to obtain the Zoom link for the presentation at ctaudubon.org/
Dr. Dam is a biological oceanographer interested in the ecology and evolution of planktonic organisms: the tiny creatures that control the biology of the sea.
He will describe the macro-power of these microorganisms and help attendees to improve their understanding of the invisible life teeming in a tablespoon of river or Sound water.
Dr. Dam’s current research focuses on how copepods, the most abundant animals on Earth, adapt to the ocean’s warming and acidification.
Another area of his work is the evolutionary “arms race” between grazers and toxic plants.
Dr. Dam has published more than 100 papers and trained a generation of oceanographers. He has also spent 20 years advising the State of Connecticut about water quality in Long Island Sound.
Included with participation in the lecture is a special offer: a dinner available for pick-up on the day of the event prepared by renowned chef Ani Robaina, formerly chef at the Microsoft Conference Center and the Pond House in Hartford and currently owner and chef at Ani’s Table. The cost is $75.
This is the third and final presentation in The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center’s Connecticut River Lecture Series, now celebrating its seventh year with presentations that feature prominent scientists focusing on critical environmental issues. Named for the internationally and locally renowned artist, scientific illustrator, environmental educator, and conservation advocate, the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center is known for its work in environmental education, conservation, research, and advocacy.
For the past year and continuing in 2021, the Center has served young people and adults across the region with small group programs like bird walks and owl prowls, virtual CT River ecology and other courses, seasonal nature crafts and activities for kids via Zoom, as well as an upcoming multi-disciplinary, summer camp program.
More information is available at https://www.ctaudubon.org/
Voting will take place from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School for Old Lyme residents and Lyme Town Hall for Lyme residents.
Information on absentee ballot and voter information is available at the following links:
- for Old Lyme residents:- https://www.oldlyme-ct.gov/town-clerk/pages/voter-information
- for Lyme residents:- https://townlyme.org/
Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School will not be closed during voting hours — students will be following a regular school day.
Join an evening of kindness card creation.
In this free presentation, professional designer and local resident Tracie Larson will demonstrate some creative techniques to improve your card-making skills.
After registering, you will receive instructions regarding collection of your card-making kit at the Library.
You will also need the following materials:
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- A coloring tool; colored pencil, marker or paint
Register here to receive the Zoom link.
LYME/OLD LYME — Can video gaming be dangerous for kids?
On Tuesday, May 4, from 7 to 8 p.m., Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau and the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Community Coalition are sponsoring a Zoom presentation on youth gaming and gambling. The Parent Teacher Organizations of Lyme, Mile Creek and LOL Middle School are co-sponsoring the event.
This free, interactive workshop will discuss an overview of youth gaming and gambling. Learn from experts about risk factors, and protective factors for prevention, treatment, and recovery. All are welcome.
The presenters are Kaitlin Brown and Kelly Leppard, who both have extensive experience in this field.
Brown is Director of Programs & Services with CT Council on Problem Gambling. Kaitlin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor, and holds and International Gaming Disorder Certificate.
Leppard serves as the Primary Prevention Services Coordinator for Problem Gambling Services with the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Certified Prevention Specialist.
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Land Trust (OLLT), the Old Lyme Open Space Commission and the Old Lyme Inn are sponsoring a “Hiker’s Happy Hour” on Wednesday, May 5.
Hikers should meet at 4:15 p.m. at the Old Lyme Land Trust’s Watch Rock Preserve, in the parking lot at the end of Joel Road. All are welcome.
From Rte. 156, turn off onto Noyes Road, take an immediate right on Caulkins Road and when it bends to the left, take another quick right turn onto Joel Road and follow it to the end.
The pleasant hike will wend its way though the Preserve where hikers will look at coastal forest, a reclaimed meadow, and attempts to restore the native understory vegetation. Spectacular views of the Connecticut River are also to be found. The hike is flat and easy and will take 45 minutes.
Hikers should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring insect repellent.
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Land Trust (OLLT), the Old Lyme Open Space Commission and the Old Lyme Inn are sponsoring a “Hiker’s Happy Hour” on Wednesday, May 5.
Hikers can enjoy a friendly happy hour at the nearby Old Lyme Inn but you need not hike to enjoy the event! The happy hour at the Inn will begin at 5 p.m. for hikers and others alike.
The public is invited to join the hike and/or the happy hour.
A Watch Rock Preserve trail map may be found at the Old Lyme Land Trust website.
P.S. In the event of rain, meet at the Old Lyme Inn for Happy Hour instead of Watch Rock.
LYME — On Saturday, May 8, the Lyme Grange hosts a Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Grange sited on the corner of Sterling City Rd, and Rte. 156 in Lyme.
A great selection of perennials and annuals will be offered for sale.
All proceeds benefit the work of the Grange.