How the Youngest Ever French PM was Replaced by the Oldest As a rule, French politics are full of surprises but the summer of 2024 took the country into unchartered waters. For weeks the search was on to find a new Prime Minister. All attempts led to an impasse. People started getting really worried: was there even a pilot on the plane? And then, on … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: A European Comes to Paris
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Letter From Paris: French Populists Surge in Euro Parliamentary Elections, But Are Unexpectedly Denied Victory in France
The elections to the European Parliament on June 9, 2024, raised more interest, but also more concern than ever because of the rise of the populist movement in the continent. Every five years, the 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected by universal suffrage in a number proportional to the size of the states' population, e.g., France is allotted 81 … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: French Populists Surge in Euro Parliamentary Elections, But Are Unexpectedly Denied Victory in France
Death Announced of David Preston, 90, Member of Old Lyme Country Club, OL Beach Club
ESSEX, CT—David Preston, age 90, of Essex, Connecticut, died peacefully in Essex on March 26th, 2024. Dave was born on November 17, 1933, in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Roger and Anita Preston of Waban, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his brothers, Peter, Fred, and Phil. Dave is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Barbara Biddulph Preston, his son, … [Read more...] about Death Announced of David Preston, 90, Member of Old Lyme Country Club, OL Beach Club
Republican Duigou Announces Candidacy for 33rd State Senate District, Includes Lyme
COLCHESTER/LYME — Citing the need for “fresh, family-focused ideas” in the Connecticut legislature, Colchester’s Jeff Duigou announced yesterday that he is running to be the next Connecticut Senator from the 33rd District. The 33rd District includes Lyme along with Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Portland, Westbrook and … [Read more...] about Republican Duigou Announces Candidacy for 33rd State Senate District, Includes Lyme
Letter From Paris: Three Major Exhibits Dominate Parisian Art Scene This Winter
Tragic link between the featured artists is that they all committed suicide PARIS, FRANCE -- The art scene in Paris during the last month of 2023 was quite intense. Three major exhibits of artists—coming respectively from France, the US and the Netherlands—attracted a sophisticated, international public. These artists have nothing in common, except that all three of them … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Three Major Exhibits Dominate Parisian Art Scene This Winter
State Sen. Needleman Announces Run for Fourth Term Representing 33rd District, Includes Lyme
HARTFORD/ESSEX/LYME—Yesterday, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) announced he is running for a fourth term in the State Senate. First elected in 2018, Sen. Needleman represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes the town of Lyme along with Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland … [Read more...] about State Sen. Needleman Announces Run for Fourth Term Representing 33rd District, Includes Lyme
Lower CT River Land Trust Invites Nominations for ‘Melvin Woody Conservation Award’
ESSEX/LYME/OLD LYME—The Lower Connecticut River Land Trust invites nominations for their 2023 fourth annual award of the Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award. Nominations can either be for an organization or an individual that you feel has significantly contributed to the conservation of the lower Connecticut River region. This award is named after one of … [Read more...] about Lower CT River Land Trust Invites Nominations for ‘Melvin Woody Conservation Award’
Letter From Paris … or, in this case, Saint-Émilion: A Day In Wine Country
Saint-Émilion is a small village perched on the hills overlooking the Dordogne river about 28 miles east of Bordeaux It is surrounded by some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world and in 1999, the "cultural village"of St. Emilion was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. In winter, the population of Saint-Émilion is not more than 200 but in summer … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris … or, in this case, Saint-Émilion: A Day In Wine Country
Letter From Paris: Let the Games Begin … in Paris … in 2024!
The countdown has started for the Summer Olympic Games 2024 (or J.O. [Jeux Olympiques] 2024 as the French say) and the excitement is growing. The dates are July 26 through Aug. 11, and Aug. 28 through Sept. 8 for the Special Olympics . Paris will be the host of the events. The interface of an historical city like Paris with venues for sporting events should be magical while … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Let the Games Begin … in Paris … in 2024!
Letter From Paris: For Five Days in June, France Burned
"You should not go to France. it is too dangerous." My American friends expressed their concern when I flew out to France for a summer vacation in early July. I must admit that the news coverage of what happened in that country in late June was pretty scary: riots for five days and nights, hundreds of burnt cars, carcasses of buses left on the streets, black … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: For Five Days in June, France Burned
National, Local Legislators Respond to Invasive Hydrilla’s Threat to CT River; Announce New Testing, Remediation Efforts
Press Conference Held to Educate Public About Harm Caused by Hydrilla, Discuss Projects to Control Invasive Aquatic's Spread CHESTER -- On Wednesday, Aug. 16, state and federal legislators, federal agencies, and stewards of the Connecticut River, met in Chester to educate the public about testing and remediation of invasive aquatic species in the Connecticut River, … [Read more...] about National, Local Legislators Respond to Invasive Hydrilla’s Threat to CT River; Announce New Testing, Remediation Efforts
Letter From Paris: Memories of Crimea … a Strategic Peninsula Steeped in History, Culture
Subsequent to the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014, which took place 60 years after USSR First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev transferred it to Ukraine in 1944, the strategically-important peninsula has frequently made news headlines. I visited the region twice and have always been fascinated by the important events and famous people with which it is associated. In … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Memories of Crimea … a Strategic Peninsula Steeped in History, Culture
Kinship, Respite Grants Available to Help Guardians Pay for Rent, Summer Camp and Other Expenses
LYME/OLD SAYBROOK -- With so many Connecticut families feeling the financial pain of inflation, Saybrook District Probate Judge Jeannine Lewis reminds guardians caring for children that they may be eligible for thousands of dollars in grants to help with housing, food and transportation, as well as summer camp and other enrichment activities. The Saybrook … [Read more...] about Kinship, Respite Grants Available to Help Guardians Pay for Rent, Summer Camp and Other Expenses
Letter From Paris: A New Spire – and Rooster – Set to Rise Above Notre Dame Cathedral
The spire and the rooster of Notre Dame will soon be back in the sky of Paris. On April 15, 2019, the world watched in horror as the spire of Notre Dame was consumed by flames and finally crumbled down. It left a gaping hole in the cathedral at the center of its vault. Four years later, the installation of a tabouret -- (literally, a stool) -- which, … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: A New Spire – and Rooster – Set to Rise Above Notre Dame Cathedral
Letter From Paris: Anatomy of a Crisis — Retirement Reform in France
A crushing defeat for the French president, many angry people and a country convulsing into chaos. Let's rewind the video back to early 2023. There was a feeling of déjà vu when observing the political and social turmoil going on in France. Once more the "Street" is in an uproar and the deputies in the Assemblée Nationale are fighting like cats and dogs. This … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Anatomy of a Crisis — Retirement Reform in France