Community News for Lyme and Old Lyme, CT
Join a regional “state of” address tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. to hear a discussion from municipal leaders about successes and challenges of the past year, as well as current issues that affect the business community. The event will be held at Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant, East Lyme.
If you live or work in Old Lyme, East Lyme, or Waterford, take this great opportunity to gather information, ask questions, and get involved in your community.
Speakers include:
This event is presented by the Chamber of Commerce of ECT in partnership with the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Member Admission: $12
Includes coffee and continental breakfast.
Registration required at this link: https://info.chamberect.com/
The Lyme-Old Lyme High School Safe Grad Committee is hosting a fundraising event at Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington, Conn., this coming Friday, Nov. 16. The event will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
All ticket sales benefit the graduation night event for the Class of 2019. Tickets include a glass of wine of your choice, food and fun.
In addition to ticket sales, the winery is donating 25 percent of all wine sales that evening (either for consumption that evening or wine purchased as gifts or for the holidays to take home) back to Safe Grad.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://lolgradnight.com/jonathan_edwards_winery/
Food for the event has been generously donated by Cloud Nine Catering, Coffee’s Country Market, Dock 11 Café, Fromage Fine Foods, The Hideaway Restaurant & Pub and The Public House.
The event is open to anyone who would like to attend and help support a safe graduation for the Class of 2019.
The philosophy and ideals behind the Safe Grad Night party are interlinked with providing an evening that is fun, memorable and safe. More than “just a party,” the event is a commitment by parents to conduct a great, “once in a lifetime” extravaganza for the graduating seniors.
Grad Night is alcohol- and drug-free and allows the senior class to have one final evening together as a class to celebrate their graduation. The event lasts through the whole night and the seniors have no idea where the event will be held until they are on board the buses. History has shown that a significant majority of the senior class attends the event every year.
Food Drive fun outside Big Y in Old Lyme! File photo by M. Garvin.
Old Lyme Police Officers will continue their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Old Lyme Marketplace on Halls Road near the Big Y.
The final collection day will be Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the same location.
All food donated will be forwarded to the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) for distribution to families in need. Food will also be given to stock the mini-pantries at Lymes’ Senior Center and the Town of Old Lyme Social Services. After local needs are met, all remaining food is given to Shoreline Soup Kitchens.
Donations of non-perishable food can be taken directly to the Old Lyme Police Department at 294 Shore Rd., or to LYSB at 59 Lyme St. between Nov. 12 and Nov. 16.
Families in need of food should contact LYSB at www.lysb.org/holidaygiving or 860-434-7208.
On to the semis! The Wildcats celebrate their 2-0 win over Portland in traditional style. Photo by B. Butler Danes.
Defending Class S champions Old Lyme defeated Portland 2-0 Friday afternoon in the CIAC Class S quarterfinals. Britney DeRoehn scored both Wildcat goals with one assisted by her sister Emily DeRoehn. Both goals were scored in the second half.
Britney DeRoehn scored both goals in Old Lyme’s quarter final against Portland. File photo.
Sam Gray was in goal for Old Lyme and notched eight saves, while Kelly Boutin tended goal for Portland making 13 saves.
Old Lyme, seeded #14, now advance into the semifinals and will face seventh-seeded East Hampton Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Sports Complex in West Haven. The other semifinal will be between #4 Immaculate and #17 Coginchaug and will also be played on Monday.
To the Editor:
The voters of the 33rd District have chosen me to be their advocate in the State Senate for the next two years. The depth of my gratitude to the voters and to the hundreds of volunteers who helped throughout the campaign is beyond my ability to express.
The electioneering is finished, and now we will confront the hard work: get the state back on track, and secure a fair share of support for the towns in our district. My opponent and I differed in our approach to addressing those issues, but we agreed that the core challenge is restoring the state’s financial health and economic vitality. There is no quick fix, but in my view the path we must travel is clear.
First, we have to bridge the partisan divide that stands in the way of good ideas and sensible solutions. Partisan politics have crippled our state, and it should be obvious by now that retreating to an ideological corner is lethal to the kind of cooperation we badly need. As I said throughout the campaign, I will work with anyone who is committed to finding real solutions, regardless of political affiliation.
Second, renovating our approach to developing revenue projections and budgets is vitally important, but is not the only component of the path to recovery. As importantly, the state needs a comprehensive economic development plan that clearly defines strategies and tactics for creating jobs. We need a plan that builds a compelling and durable appeal to businesses of all sizes…a plan that creates a marketing and communications framework for coalescing the state’s many attributes and advantages into a compelling message. Without a comprehensive plan, the road to economic vitality will be random and reactive, instead of well directed and focused.
Third, I will tirelessly advocate to make certain that every town in our district receives its fair share of support from Hartford. The perspective I have gained from real world experience in budgeting and managing town and business operations will add both credibility and impact to the voice our towns have in the State Senate.
But we also need to address issues that go beyond the state’s finances. We can never stop advocating for measures that address the quality of life in our towns: women’s issues; primary, secondary, and higher education; benefits to our seniors; support for small businesses; and job training for the thousands of unfilled, high paying technical and manufacturing jobs.
I make the same pledge to those who voted for me and to those who didn’t: I will listen to your concerns, I will give you straight answers, and I will never stop working for you. The challenges and the issues that concern you will always be my focus.
It is time to bridge the partisan gap and start on the road to finding solutions. I’m optimistic, because I believe all of us recognize that we have to set aside our differences and truly work together. That’s the approach and the attitude I will bring to Hartford as your state senator.
Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and support.
Sincerely,
Norm Needleman,
Essex.
Editor’s Note: The author is the first selectman of Essex and state senator-elect for the 33rd Senate District.
See the Turtle Rock at Hartman Park on this hike.
Walk off your Thanksgiving overindulgence on this beautiful, moderate trail that winds along craggy ridges strewn with glacial boulders. Wendolyn Hill, Lyme Land Trust Board member, and Lyme Open Space Coordinator, will lead a walk on the Red Trail in Hartman Park on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, from 1:30 to 4-ish p.m.
Meet at Hartman Park Entrance Parking Lot, Gungy Rd., in Lyme. The parking lot is on Gungy Road about 1.5 miles north of the four-way stop signs at the intersection of Beaverbrook Rd., Grassy Hill Rd., and Gungy Rd.
The route will follow a portion of the Goodwin Trail. The Goodwin Trail, overseen by the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, is an extended trail system crossing four towns: East Haddam, Salem, Lyme and East Lyme. The entire walk is about 3.5 miles. A snack will be provided. Bring something to drink. The walk is sponsored by the Lyme land Trust and the Town of Lyme.
Rain cancels. Check lymelandtrust.org for updates.For more information, contact openspace@townlyme.org
Registration at openspace@townlyme.org would be appreciated.
Learn how to make your yard more desirable to hummingbirds like the one pictured above.
Join Audubon CT, Lyme Land Trust, and the Town of Lyme Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Lyme Public Hall to learn about enhancing your land for songbirds, wild turkeys, and beneficial insects. At 7 p.m., DEEP wildlife biologist Peter Picone will share a fascinating presentation of his knowledge and insights on creating and improving wildlife habitat in your surroundings.
The program is part of a project launched by Audubon Connecticut in the Important Bird Area (IBA) called the “Lyme Forest Block,” which spans forested habitat in six towns in southeastern Connecticut. The goal of the project is to teach you how to enhance your land to attract and nourish forest birds.
Lyme Public Hall is located at 249 Hamburg Rd. (Rte 156), Lyme,
For more information, email openspace@townlyme.org or visit http://www.lymelandtrust.org/event/enhancing-habitat-for-songbirds-and-beneficial-insects/
‘Dream Lilies’ by Jeri Baker is one of the featured works in the Lymes’ Senior Center Art Show at Old Lyme Town Hall.
Art groups from the Lymes’ Senior Center will hold their third annual exhibit of their work for sale in the Old Lyme Town Hall during
November and December. The participating artists have been taking art classes with Sharon Schmiedel. Paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces will be on display.
Additionally, two members of the Center’s community, Janet Cody and Peg Sheehan, will add a “Touch of Craft” with their work in traditional punch needle pieces and handmade jewelry of silver, gold and semi-precious and precious stones respectively.
Another member, Norma DeGrafft, will also display her scenic watercolors in the Lyme Town Hall.
A portion of any sale will be donated to the Lymes’ Senior Center. An opening reception for this show will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Old Lyme Town Hall. Light refreshments will be served.
Mya Johnson scored the first goal for Old Lyme in Thursday’s game against Cromwell. File photo..
Old Lyme won 2-1 yesterday in the second round of CIAC State Tournament defeating Cromwell, to whom they had previously lost in both the regular season and conference playoffs.
Mya Johnson was the first to score for the Wildcats off an assist from Kaylee Armenia.
Old Lyme led 1-0 at halftime but Cromwell tied the game up at 1-1 at the 28 minute mark after a goal mouth scramble.
Britney DeRoehn scored the game-winning goal unassisted with 6:20 minutes left on the clock.
Sam Gray was in goal for Old Lyme and had seven saves.
Jessica DellaRatta was in goal for Cromwell and notched 16 saves.
Old Lyme now faces Portland in the quarter finals at the of neutral site Old Saybrook High School this afternoon at 2 p.m.
The Old Lyme Historical Society (OLHS) will be celebrating the release of the new 2019 Now & Then Old Lyme Community Calendar at a free public reception Thursday, Nov. 8, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the OLHS building at 55 Lyme Street, Old Lyme. The calendar, along with other publications, will be for sale at the event. All are welcome to attend: wine, beer and light refreshments will be served, music will be played, and a door prize will also be awarded.
This is the sixth year that the OLHS has published this popular calendar that incorporates a different set of photographs from the organization’s archives, again juxtaposing the historical images with contemporary ones of the same scene. The images included in the calendar are a small sampling of the many interesting archived photographs of Old Lyme establishments, landscapes, and scenes dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century.
Each calendar month is generously sponsored by a different community organization and includes the dates of their events throughout the year. The intent is to highlight and assist in marketing activities occurring in Old Lyme in 2019 as well as remembering the past.
The 2018 Now & Then Old Lyme Community Calendar was designed by James Meehan and edited by Alison Mitchell. Michaelle Pearson was the copy-editor.
The mission of the OLHS is to “collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history” of Old Lyme. To find out more about the OLHS and its interesting activities, explore their website at www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org or stop by its office at 55 Lyme St.
Do your feet get cold during the winter?
Are your socks old and worn out?
Do you want to be the most stylish person in town?
Well, you are in luck!
Until Thursday, Nov. 15, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School senior class is selling Wildcat socks to help support the class. As the expenses of senior year (such as senior ball, field trips, and caps and gowns) start to pile up, the class is hoping to defray some of the costs with the sock fundraiser.
“The Class of 2019 is excited to extend this fundraiser to the Lyme-Old Lyme community,” says senior class president Gary Bocian, “We hope that people who may not be directly associated with the school will be able to support our senior class and the many events that are going to be taking place towards the end of the year.”
These extremely fashionable socks are available at https://tribesocks.com/products/wildcatsocks. Be sure to order your pair while they are still available!
Contact Gary Bocian (bociang@region18.org) with any questions.
State Senator-Elect Norm Needleman
State Representative (R-34th) Melissa Ziobron.
Melissa Ziobron, Republican Candidate for the 33rd State Senate District [which includes Lyme] and outgoing House Representative for the 34th District, called her opponent to concede the race just after noon today.
Note these are unofficial results. We do not have numbers for Questions 1 and 2 on the ballot, but have heard Question 2 has passed statewide.
GOVERNOR
Lamont/ Bysiewicz: 1,961
Stefanowski/ Markley: 2,054
Griebel/Frank: 56
US SENATE
Murphy: 2,435
Corey: 1,732
Lion: 9
Russell: 7
US HOUSE:
Courtney: 2,671
Postemski: 1,449
Reale: 24
Bicking: 37
STATE SENATE:
Formica: 2,326
Marx: 1,863
STATE HOUSE:
Carney: 2,294
Pugliese: 1,890
SECRETARY OF STATE:
Merrill: 2,232
Chapman: 1,859
Gwynn: 29
DeRosa: 31
TREASURER
Wo0den: 2,175
Gray: 1,891
Brohinsky: 33
CONTROLLER
Lembo: 2,144
Miller: 1,800
Passarelli: 25
Heflin: 37
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Tong: 2,052
Hatfield: 2,057
Goselin: 46
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy speaks to supporters Tuesday night. Photo by Douglas Healey for CTNewJunkie.
Editor’s Note: We are providing this link to an article by Jack Kramer published on CTNewsJunkie.com Nov. 6, which covers Senator Chris Murphy’s victory. CTNewsJunkie.com is a fellow member of the Local Independent Online News (LION) publishers national organization and we are pleased occasionally to cross-publish our stories.
HARTFORD, CT — U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy easily won a second term Tuesday night defeating Republican challenger Matthew Corey.
Murphy was declared the winner shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Early results showed him with a 3-2 margin over Corey.
Read the full article at this link.
The line at Cross Lane Polling Station at the Firehouse at 7:45 a.m. this morning. Photo by M. Seidner.
We are receiving numerous accounts of long lines throughout the day and early evening at the Polling Station at the Cross Lane Firehouse in Old Lyme. Despite the large numbers, there were many favorable comments on the efficiency of the volunteer election workers. Old Lyme printed 5,000 ballots but had used over 3,000 of them by around 4:30 p.m.
Emily Berber Bjornberg reports that Lyme passed the 75 percent participation mark just before 5:40 p.m.
Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash
In keeping with a long tradition and in the interests of increasing voter knowledge prior to next week’s critically important mid-term elections, we asked all the candidates whose districts include Lyme and/or Old Lyme to send us a brief biography and photo, and answer four questions that we posed to them. The questions came from you — our large and diverse community of readers. We were overwhelmed by the sheer number of questions you sent to us, which we interpret as a clear sign of the level of interest in this election, and are extremely disappointed we could not include more of your questions.
We are delighted to report that all six candidates responded to our questionnaire and are pleased now to publish their responses. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the candidates for taking the time to answer our questions and for adhering to our strict word deadlines — 100 words for the bio and 300 words for each response.
The questions were:
The candidates are:
House District #23 (includes Lyme and Old Lyme)
Devin Carney (R – Incumbent)
Matt Pugliese (D)
Senate District #20 (includes Old Lyme)
Paul Formica (R – Incumbent)
Martha Marx (D)
Senate District #33 (includes Lyme)
Norm Needleman (D) Essex First Selectman
Melissa Ziobron (R) State Rep. House District #34
Click on the candidate’s name above to read their biography and responses to our questions.
For the record and again in keeping with a long tradition, we will not be making any candidate endorsements.
Happy reading … and voting!
Mid-term elections are just around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 6. In order to maximize participation, the Old Lyme Registrars of Voters will hold their final special voter registration sessions at their office on the mezzanine level of Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall on Monday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
People can also register to vote Monday through Friday in the Town Clerk’s office if the Registrars are not available.
Absentee Ballots and Voter Registration Applications are available from the Town Clerk’s office — not through the Registrars. Absentee Ballots will be available from the Town Clerk on Oct. 5. For more information on Absentee Ballots, call the Town Clerk at 860-434-1605, ext. 221.
Oct. 30 is the last day for mail-in registration, on-line registration (until 11:59 p.m.), and in-person registration to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 election.
On-line voter registration is available 24/7 and is user-friendly. Visit www.voterregistration.ct.gov or the Secretary of the State’s website at www.SOTS.ct.gov, select Elections & Voting and then On-line registration.
On-line voter registration also allows voters to make changes to name, address, and/or party affiliation.
If you wish to know if — and how — you are registered, select Am I Registered to Vote? and then Voter Lookup Tool.
The only people who can register and be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 election after Oct. 30 are those
after Oct. 30 and on/before Nov. 6. Persons in this category can apply for voter registration in the Registrar’s Office until 5 p.m. on Nov. 5.
The location for Election Day Registration (EDR) is the Registrars Office, Mezzanine Level, Town Hall, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more voter registration information, call (860) 434-1605 x 226 or email registrars@oldlyme-ct.gov
This afternoon, Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m., the Friends of Lyme Public Library and the Lyme Land Trust are co-hosting a presentation by Steve Fagin, Great Outdoors columnist for The Day. Fagin will present The Day‘s newest hardcover coffee table book, Treasures of Southeastern Connecticut: Our Proud History of Preserving Scenic Woodlands, Farms, the Shoreline and Other Natural Gems. Some of the essays and photographs were provided by Lyme Land Trust members.
Event attendees will be able to pre-order the book at a 10 dollar discount. The program is free and open to all.
For more information and to register, call the library at 860 -434-2961 or visit http://www.lymelandtrust.org/
A Court of Honor was held Nov. 4 to celebrate Theodore Wayland (left) and Evan St. Louis’s attainment of Eagle Scout rank. All are welcome to attend and congratulate the boys on this achievement.
Boy Scout Troop 26 is proud to announce Theodore Wayland, son of Kathryn and Mark Wayland; and Evan St. Louis, son of Mary and Thomas St. Louis, both of Lyme have earned the Eagle Scout Award, the highest advancement rank within the Boy Scouts of America.
Troop 26 hosted an Eagle Court of Honor for St. Louis and Wayland on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium, 69 Lyme St., Old Lyme. All are welcome to attend the public ceremony and join in congratulating them on their achievement.
Only about six percent of all Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges, demonstrate leadership, commitment to community and successfully complete a significant service project.
Wayland’s Eagle project was to design and install three flag repository boxes for the Old Lyme and Lyme Town Halls and the Lymes’ Senior Center. He utilized carpentry skills, time management and communication skills. His project was the result of a grant awarded from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars.
St. Louis’s Eagle project was to refurbish the bocce courts at the Lymes’ Senior Center. During the project he managed the clearing of trees and brush, repaired and stained the wooden court frames, installed two new spectating benches, and reconditioned the playing surfaces.
Both boys are juniors at the Lyme-Old Lyme High School, and share a genuine passion for outdoor living, camping, hiking and the communities they call home.
