Community Calendar

OLD LYME — This Friday, Dec. 2, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., the public is invited to join a group of “Members with Cameras” from the Lymes’ Senior Center when they host an Opening Reception for a show of their photographs. The show will be held in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall on Lyme St. These folks have been learning techniques related to expanding and enhancing the use of phones as cameras from long-time photographer, exhibitor, and instructor Fred Verillo. Choosing a subject and then improving it with photographic editing apps are just a few of the topics that have been covered in Verillo’s workshops. All are welcome to the free reception. Refreshments will be served.

DEEP RIVER, CT. — Cappella Cantorum will return to John Winthrop Middle School (JWMS, Deep River, CT) for the 2022-2023 season after a two-year absence.  Rehearsals are in full swing for the upcoming winter concert, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Other Holiday Favorites, to be performed Sunday, Dec 4, at 3 p.m. at JWMS.  Mark your calendar to join this musical celebration of the holidays.

Music Director Simon Holt will conduct, and the featured soloists are mezzo-soprano Rachel Abrams and bass-baritone Christopher Grundy. The chorus will be accompanied by pianist Patrice Newman and the Cappella Cantorum Orchestra.

Ticket prices are $15 for students, $30 for adults and $35 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance through any chorus member, on the Cappella Cantorum website through the link below, or by calling 860-532-0454.

This year marks the 53rd season of Cappella Cantorum, which was founded in Jan. 1970. The group has built a close partnership with the Region 4 School District for more than 30 years where Cappella can be found rehearsing at JWMS on Monday evenings and performing in the school district’s auditoria. Cappella has also donated acoustic sound shells to enhance the JWMS auditorium stage.

When COVID hit Connecticut in early 2020, Cappella Cantorum halted rehearsals that were already underway at JWMS and canceled its May concert. From Sept. 2020 to April 2021, the group hosted a popular Zoom series to help singers stayed connected and continue learning about music-related topics.

With the availability of COVID vaccines and improved treatments, the group began to plan its return to in-person singing for Fall 2021. However, changing state COVID guidelines made it difficult for Region 4 to allow community groups in school facilities, so Cappella rehearsals were moved to Trinity Lutheran Church in Centerbrook for the 2021-2022 season.

“We were so pleased to be coming back to JWMS for our rehearsals,” said Carol Cherry, President of Cappella Cantorum.“ Returning to John Winthrop is one step closer to normal for all of us.”

Cappella Cantorum is the premiere, non-auditioned, community choral group of the Connecticut Shoreline and Lower Connecticut River Valley. Its primary purpose is to give singers of all ages the opportunity to learn, perform, share, and enjoy great choral music. In addition to twice yearly concerts, the group promotes music education and appreciation through summer singing programs, vocal training workshops, Messiah Sing & Listen events, and other events open to the public.

Cappella Cantorum has no audition requirement and welcomes people of all ages who like to sing and want to expand their music knowledge and skills. This opportunity renews again on Monday, Jan 9, 2023, when you can register and join Cappella for their first rehearsal as the singers and administration prepare for their spring concert scheduled for Sunday, April 4, 2023, 3pm, at JWMS. Rehearsals are generally held at 7 p.m. on Monday nights in JWMS.

For more information, visit cappellacantorum.org or call 860-532-0454.

OLD LYME — On Thursday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., Old Lyme’s Recycling Committee is hosting a Thank You Reception and Information Fair in the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Community Room. The committee invites the community to join them in thanking the TREX Challenge volunteers. These are Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) parents, who haul the plastic bags collected by LOL Schools students, to Big Y so these can be recycled into decking and outdoor furniture instead of going into the trash. All are welcome to come and enjoy holiday treats, get tips on how to reduce waste and recycle more … even during the holidays! All are welcome and admission is free.

MADISON, CT – On Friday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 6 p.m., Connecticut’s COVID-19 Vaccination Van will be at The Country School to provide free vaccinations. No appointment, health insurance, or a state-issued ID is required. No one will be turned away.

Children aged 6 months to 11 years are eligible for the Pediatric Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for their first and second doses. Third and booster doses are available only to children 5 years- to 11-years-old. Children 12 years and older and adults may receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for first, second, third and booster doses.

The highly visible yellow Vaccination Vans, provided by the CT Department of Public Health and run by Griffin Health, can administer 100-125 shots per day in a six-hour window of time.

“As a private school, we are keenly aware of our public purpose,” said John Fixx, Head of School. “We are thankful to give back to the shoreline community that has supported The Country School for the past 67 years.”

The following forms need to be completed and are available at the Clinic: PreVaccination CDC Screening Form, Pediatric Intake Form, and the COVID Vaccine Intake Form. For more information on vaccinations and COVID-19 visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.

Founded in 1955, The Country School is a coeducational, independent day school serving over 215 students in PreSchool through Grade 8. To schedule a tour, visit www.thecountryschool.org.

LYME — Santa is dropping by the Lyme Fire Company’s Hamburg Station Sunday, Dec. 11, from 8 a.m. to11 a.m., for breakfast!

All are welcome to join him.

Make sure your children remember their lists for Santa!

Breakfast will include pancakes, bacon, French toast, eggs, fruit, toast, sausage, milk, coffee, and juice.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Hamburg Fire Station is located at 23 Hamburg Rd.in Lyme.

OLD LYME / OLD SAYBROOK — The Old Lyme Town Band (OLTB) under the direction of Richard Chiappetta, gives two holiday concerts this season. The first was on Sunday, Dec.11, and the second is on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m., when the band will perform at The Kate, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Tickets for this concert are $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased online at this link or at the door. Numbers for the performance at ‘The Kate’ include Farandole by Georges Bizet, which is not a seasonal piece but rather an exciting work that builds in speed and volume in all sections until the end and Lo, How A Rose E’r Blooming, a Christmas carol and Marian hymn of German origin, which is hauntingly beautiful. Those who have attended OLTB concerts in the past may remember the festive sounds of Hanukkah, a festive medley. A Very Merry (Minor) Christmas was written by the OLTB Director based on the tune of O come O come Emmanuel, but in a minor key. And who doesn’t love the OLTB’s closing number, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride … and by the way, we hear they do a great whip-crack! The band welcomes new members of all ages, from talented middle-school students to seniors, without audition when rehearsals begin again in January. The band rehearses at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. Visit the band’s website at http://www.oldlymetownband.com or speak to any band member to add your name to the band’s mailing list.

All Donors Through Dec.15 Receive $10 Amazon.com Gift Card By Email

OLD LYME — On Thursday, Dec. 15, the American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Rd. from 1 to 6 p.m.

As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

Throughout the season, several factors can disrupt the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients across the country.

• Travel: According to a recent study, nearly half of Americans plan to travel over the holidays this year, which may negatively impact the blood supply if fewer people come out to donate.
• Seasonal illness: The U.S. is seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV, which can decrease the availability of healthy donors.
• Weather: Parts of the country have already seen storms bring several feet of snow this year. Winter weather often leads to hazardous road conditions, canceling blood drives and making it dangerous for donors to venture out to give.

It is important for donors − especially type O blood donors and platelet donors − to give now to ensure hospitals have the blood they need through the end of the year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, all who come to give blood through Dec.15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, courtesy of Amazon.

Editor’s Note: i) This article is based on press release from the American Red Cross.

ii) The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.