OLD LYME — On Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m., the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library will host a virtual presentation via Zoom by Rebecca Crosby, who is co-founder of the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education.
This free presentation titled will start at 6:30 p.m. and are welcome. Registration is required at this link in order to obtain the Zoom link.
During the presentation, Crosby will discuss the complexities of Haiti’s education system and the impact the Crosby Fund’s adult and child literacy programs have had on the region.
Crosby will also touch upon the devastation of recent events and the recovery in progress.
Visit this link to read a story published June 21, 2021, and written by LymeLine.com publisher/editor Olwen Logan about the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education, titled, Old Lyme’s ‘Crosby Fund for Haitian Education’ Changes Lives in One of Poorest Parts of Globe. Note: this story was written prior to the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, which took place July 7, 2021 and the magnitude 7.2 earthquake, which occurred Aug. 14, 2021.
OLD LYME — A meeting for the Pre-K- 8 Facilities study will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. in the LOLMS auditorium. QA+M Architecture will present recommendations based on their assessment of existing conditions, evaluation of buildings, and future cost estimation for repairs and updates to Center School, Lyme School, Mile Creek School, and Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.
OLD LYME — The annual Community Service of Thanksgiving, organized by the faith communities of Lyme and Old Lyme, will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Christ the King Church. (This is the first ecumenical service since 2019, because of the pandemic.)
All are welcome to attend this ecumenical service of prayer and song, which will include music led by choir members from First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, and Christ the King Church. Clergy from the various churches will participate, as will lay members and community leaders.
Fr. Joseph Ashe, pastor of Christ the King Church, said that there are two reasons to hold this service: “At this time of year, as we gather with family and friends to share meals and joyous times together, we should take a moment to reflect and give thanks for all the gifts that have been bestowed on us.”
He added, however, “We also need to keep in mind the many people in our world, and right here in southeastern Connecticut, who have no family, no job, no food on the table, or even a roof over their heads, and do what we can to help them.”
To that end, donations of nonperishable foods for the Shoreline Food Pantries will be collected during the service, and a free-will offering will be taken up to benefit the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, to help our neighbors in need.
The 2021 Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service takes place at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. Everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, is welcome to attend.
Note: Face masks are required in church buildings for any unvaccinated individuals. Hand sanitizer is available for all at the doors.
For more information, visit www.christthekingchurch.net.
OLD LYME — The Lyme Art Association’s (LAA) perennially popular holiday art exhibition and sale, Deck the Walls, is on view Nov. 19, through Jan. 2, 2022. More than 200 original works of art by member artists will be on display and priced to sell as holiday gifts.
Concurrently, Hands on the Land, an exhibition reflecting on human impact on the local landscape, will be on view. This show is a collaboration with the Connecticut River Museum and was previously on view there.
The opening reception for both shows is on Sunday, Nov. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. All painting purchases from 4 p.m. on Nov. 27 through 4 p.m. Nov. 28 will be tax-free.
“For Deck the Walls, the Lyme Art Association features a wide variety of appealing subjects at affordable prices that are great for holiday shopping. We hope to help solve those gift giving dilemmas – a beautiful piece of artwork is always appreciated!” says Jocelyn Zallinger, Gallery Manager.
“During the holiday season, the Lyme Art Association is a great place to come for a gentle activity for children on school vacation or for visiting guests. Whether you have a few minutes or more than an hour, the gallery is a wonderful way to decompress, stimulate conversation, or simply enjoy yourself,” says Laurie Pavlos, Executive Director.
The LAA is free and open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment.
The LAA is located at 90 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, at the corner of Halls Road. Call 860-434-7802 for more information, or visit www.lymeartassociation.org.
OLD SAYBROOK — A fundraiser and silent auction to benefit Old Saybrook’s first community mural will be held on Sunday, Nov. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Penny Lane Pub in Old Saybrook.
The mural, which will be painted on the side and front of Foodworks, will be a celebration of Old Saybrook’s inclusive and diverse heritage, and the culmination of a partnership between Old Saybrook March for Justice community members and Public Art for Racial Justice Education (PARJE).
This will be the fifth mural in the area, following initiatives in neighboring Norwich, East Lyme, Old Lyme, and New London.
Old Saybrook art teachers, Hannah Newton and Sara Menga, will be leading a talented and diverse group of student artists in creating the mural.
As the launch fundraiser for the project, the group hopes to ultimately raise $15,000 to offset production costs for the mural.
Alex Foulkes of Penny Lane Pub is donating the fundraiser event space and providing appetizers and service staff. Silent auction items have been generously donated by local businesses, including Saybrook Point Resort and Marina, Saybrook Home, Fromage, Foodworks, Essence, ‘the Kate’, Soundrunner, Dagmars, Pursuit of Pastry, Seaside Wine, Nyman Jewelers, Ivoryton Playhouse, Ashlawn Farm, Ace Hardware, Old Lyme Inn, Bowerbird, Pieces, Cocotte, and others.
The program will include comments by Sheila Hayes, President of Norwich NAACP, Dr. Mellisa Pensa, as well as art teachers and students from Old Saybrook schools.
Old Saybrook resident Dr. Pensa comments, “What better way to signify our rich heritage and cultural diversity than by creating a community mural that celebrates important figures of our history? Many are surprised to learn of the diverse cultural heritage of Old Saybrook.”
She continues, “The indigenous community was here before the white people and there were many black families who lived and worked here. We are all better off when we are aware of our history. As a parent, I am thrilled to be part of a project that celebrates our diverse past and inspires a welcoming and inclusive community vibe.”
All are welcome to join this historic and important event as our shared history is celebrated and work continues towards a bright future ahead.
Tickets can be purchased at the door — a $20 donation is suggested.
COVID guidelines will be enforced regarding space limitation and requiring masking.
Contact Dennis Tulimieri Jr. at [email protected] for more information.
LYME — The Lyme Public Hall & Local History Archives and the Lyme Garden Club present a Holiday Wreath Making Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd. (Rte. 156), Lyme.
Materials and greens will be provided. Bring your own trimmings to customize your creation.
Pre-registration is required, but there is no charge to attend.
To pre-register, text or call Bill Denow at 860-574-4143.
For more information, visit lymepublichall.org
LYME/OLD LYME — This COVID Vaccine Clinic is open to all Lyme and Old Lyme residents, but an appointment is required.
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Fire Department will holding a Holiday Toy & Giving Drive on Sunday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lyme Street Fire Department and on Halls Rd. near Big Y. Donations are welcome as well as new unopened toys.
All donations will be distributed with the assistance of Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau to Lyme and Old Lyme families in need.