Here is yet another compendium of literate, acerbic, often hilarious, and thoroughly opinionated essays from Christopher Hitchens, the UK-expatriate who moved to Washington for freedom from monarchy and amusement. He died in 2011 at the youthful age of 62 but these essays will long outlive him. He dissects both people (Che Guevara, Edward Kennedy, George Orwell, Barack … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘And Yet . . . ‘ by Christopher Hitchens
News
Lyme-Old Lyme HS Principal Tells Class of 2021 its Key Quality is ‘Resiliency … [and so] You Will Not Just Survive, You Will Thrive’
OLD LYME -- 6/13 UPDATED 3:20pm: It was a perfect evening for the Commencement Ceremony of Lyme-Old Lyme High School's 115 members of the Class of 2021. They marched in, mostly masked ... Lyme-Old Lyme High School Principal James Wygonik (pictured above) reminded the Class of 2021 of the saying on the coat-of-arms of the Benedictine Monks, who were founded in 529 … [Read more...] about Lyme-Old Lyme HS Principal Tells Class of 2021 its Key Quality is ‘Resiliency … [and so] You Will Not Just Survive, You Will Thrive’
Lyme Academy Welcomes Community Back to Campus with Upbeat Concert
OLD LYME -- Hundred came out yesterday evening to enjoy a free concert hosted by Lyme Academy of Fine Arts featuring singer Chris Gregor on guitar, who was followed by Brad Bensko and Kathleen Parks. The crowd seemed genuinely pleased to be back on the grounds of the beloved institution, which has experienced a period of uncertainty in recent years as it transitioned … [Read more...] about Lyme Academy Welcomes Community Back to Campus with Upbeat Concert
Lyme-Old Lyme HS Seniors Kick Off Graduation Festivities with Jubilant Parade
OLD LYME -- 6/12 UPDATED: MORE PHOTOS ADDED Parents and townspeople came out in throngs yesterday evening to cheer the Lyme-Old Lyme High School seniors as they drove their cars through Old Lyme in a jubilant parade to celebrate their upcoming graduation this evening. Cars were gaily decorated ... Old Lyme Emergency Services participated with their usual vigor … [Read more...] about Lyme-Old Lyme HS Seniors Kick Off Graduation Festivities with Jubilant Parade
Two Lyme-Old Lyme HS Grads Selected for Team US Men’s Eight Competing at Tokyo Olympics
LYME/OLD LYME -- In a truly remarkable achievement, two Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) graduates have been selected to represent the US in the Men's Eight at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Austin Hack, who graduated from LOLHS in 2010, and Liam Corrigan, a member of the LOLHS Class of 2014, both rowed for LOLHS and then went on to represent their respective universities at … [Read more...] about Two Lyme-Old Lyme HS Grads Selected for Team US Men’s Eight Competing at Tokyo Olympics
After Year of Closure, Gillette Castle Interior Re-opens to Public
EAST HADDAM/LYME, Conn. – For the first time since late 2019, Gillette Castle has re-opened and will be available for public visits during Gillette Castle State Park's regular opening hours, park officials said. Because of the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mansion built a century ago by the late stage actor William Gillette remained closed throughout 2020 in … [Read more...] about After Year of Closure, Gillette Castle Interior Re-opens to Public
‘Witness Stones’ Celebration Highlighted Installation of Plaques Marking Sites of Enslavement in Old Lyme
OLD LYME – The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership held an installation ceremony last Friday, June 4, celebrating the town’s newly installed Witness Stones—historical plaques commemorating the lives of 14 individuals, who were once enslaved on Lyme Street. The project expands the understanding of local history and honors the humanity and contributions of those formerly … [Read more...] about ‘Witness Stones’ Celebration Highlighted Installation of Plaques Marking Sites of Enslavement in Old Lyme
June 3 COVID-19 Update: No Towns in State Now in Red Zone, No New Cases in Lyme, Old Lyme
LYME/OLD LYME — UPDATED 06/05: The report issued Thursday, June 3, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) for the average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 by town during the past two weeks shows another dramatic improvement for the state as whole with not a single town remaining in the Red Zone (indicating the highest COVID-19 new case rates) and just one, … [Read more...] about June 3 COVID-19 Update: No Towns in State Now in Red Zone, No New Cases in Lyme, Old Lyme
Letter to the Editor: Recognize the Past, Look to the Future; CT House, Senate Have Both Now Passed Resolution on Racism, Why Hasn’t Old Lyme BOS?
To the Editor: The Witness Stones project, which was dedicated last week on the library grounds, demonstrates that Old Lyme residents recognize a non-revisionist view of an unfortunate part of our town’s history. We should place a capstone on that project, and publicly acknowledge that, in Old Lyme, all residents may avail themselves of the same resources and opportunities, … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Recognize the Past, Look to the Future; CT House, Senate Have Both Now Passed Resolution on Racism, Why Hasn’t Old Lyme BOS?
‘Lymes Creative Arts’ Kicks Off Summer Arts, Music Programs for Students
LYME-OLD LYME -- Teens and preteens here will have a variety of ways to participate in visual arts and m usic this summer thanks to a new collaborative effort, Lymes Creative Arts. The initiative presents in one place all available arts and music opportunities in the two towns, including several new programs created based on feedback from a student survey. The initiative is … [Read more...] about ‘Lymes Creative Arts’ Kicks Off Summer Arts, Music Programs for Students
Powers Runs ‘The Perfect Race’ (Daquila), is CIAC Class S 400m State Champion, Sets New Lyme-Old Lyme HS Record
LYME-OLD LYME -- Senior Aidan Powers set a new Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) record in the 400 meters today with a blistering time of 51.3 seconds at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class S championship, which was held at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, Conn. Additionally, Powers is the Class S state champion in the 400 meters after finishing … [Read more...] about Powers Runs ‘The Perfect Race’ (Daquila), is CIAC Class S 400m State Champion, Sets New Lyme-Old Lyme HS Record
Lyme-Old Lyme Girl’s Tennis are Class S State Champions for First Time in School History!
LYME/OLD LYME -- The top-seeded Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) girl's tennis team became the CIAC Class S state champions yesterday for the first time in school history when they stormed to a 5-2 victory over #2 seeds Litchfield yesterday. The tournament final was played indoors at the Magic Lincer Tennis Club in Manchester. The Old Lyme girls finished the season … [Read more...] about Lyme-Old Lyme Girl’s Tennis are Class S State Champions for First Time in School History!
A la Carte: A Special Soup for Summer … Asparagus, of Course!
I had promised to send you my friend Stacie’s flan recipe, but time, as often, got away from me last week. Perhaps I was dreaming about a book I just finished reading, “We Begin at the End,” a sort-of growing up and murder mystery recommended by my good buddy, Rick Koster of The Day. Or maybe I was thinking about a new novel I am reading now, “The Plot,” written by an … [Read more...] about A la Carte: A Special Soup for Summer … Asparagus, of Course!
Good to be Back! Old Lyme’s Memorial Day Parade Sparks Smiles All Around
OLD LYME -- Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and as parade-watcher Lauren Girasoli announced cheerfully, "I think people were just happy to be out seeing each other, and it wouldn't have mattered if nothing had come down Lyme Street!" This comment was a reflection of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced cancellation of the parade last year and has kept … [Read more...] about Good to be Back! Old Lyme’s Memorial Day Parade Sparks Smiles All Around
A View from My Porch: Epic Poems of Folk and Rock Part 3 — The Rock and Roll War
Editor's Note: This is the third column by Tom Gotowka under the heading, 'Epic Poems of Folk and Rock.' Find Part I at this link and Part II at this one. I continue the “epic poems” theme in this essay, but shift to the epic works of conflict; focusing on the rock and roll genre, as influenced by the Vietnam War. In review, Part 1 presented several works of folk music … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: Epic Poems of Folk and Rock Part 3 — The Rock and Roll War