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/
LYME/OLD LYME — The Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Board of Education (BOE) will hold their District Budget Meeting Monday evening, May 3, in the Board of Education Conference Room at Center School starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Budget Meeting will also be live-streamed at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF2_W7yYtFwx067Ici9776Q/videos?view=57
Public comment can be made in person or virtually via this Zoom link: https://region18.zoom.us/j/83527766795 and using Meeting ID: 835 2776 6795.
Those choosing the virtual option to make public comment will be required to follow the same expectations as those commenting in person, i.e., after being recognized by the chairperson, participants must state their name and place of residence before making their comments to the board.
The proposed budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year totals $34,874, 548 representing a 0.47 percent increase over the current year’s budget. When this total is combined with last year’s decrease of 1.06 percent, the total change over two years is -0.6 percent or $210,210.
In the Letter of Transmittal accompanying the printed budget, LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser and Region 18 Board of Education Chairman Diane Linderman say, “We have developed a budget that continues to support all of our award-winning academic and curricular offerings, which are commensurate with, and often superior to, both public and private schools throughout Connecticut.”
Members of the BOE are expected to vote at the meeting to move the public vote to approve the budget to an in-person referendum the following day, Tuesday, May 4.
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.
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.
Fearghal McGarry presents “The Irish Revolution,1919-1921, in a Global Context”
When: Thursday, May 13, 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.wildapricot.org/
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: Fearghal McGarry, Queens University Belfast and Boston College
The Topic: 2021 marks the culmination of a remarkable series of 100th anniversaries of events that significantly impacted the twentieth century: World War I, the Russian Revolution, the first commitment of American troops to a land war in Europe, and the beginnings of the end of the British Empire with the independence of (most) of Ireland after a bitter War of Independence, 1919-1921. Professor McGarry will discuss the Irish revolution within its transnational and global contexts.
Cost: Free for members, guests $20
OLD LYME — Through the choppy waters of restoration to the calm seas of seasoned boat ownership, local author Ron Breault will take attendees on a 25-year virtual voyage of his sailing life aboard Marionette.
Visit this link to read a review by Felix Kloman of Voyaging with Marionette, which was published Aug. 3, 2020 on LymeLine.com.
OLD LYME — On Saturday, May 22, enjoy a day of outdoor fun and family friendly activities at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center’s Pollinator Party.
This is an opportunity for families to visit the new home of the RTP Estuary Center at 100 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, the former home of the Bee & Thistle Inn.
There will be scavenger hunts, a pollinator planting station, rock painting, and plenty of time to meet staff and board members, ask questions, and have fun.
This is a free event for all ages but registration is required. Suggested donation is $20.
Pollinator seeds have kindly been donated by the Dominion’s Project Plant It!
Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. In order to meet social distancing guidelines, families are asked to register for one of three times slots listed on the registration site at https://www.ctaudubon.org/
For more information about the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center and its programs, visit https://www.ctaudubon.