OLD SAYBROOK—Despite it being a bitterly cold and windy day, hundreds of protesters still gathered on Monday—President's Day—in front of Old Saybrook's Town Hall to demonstrate their objections to President Trump and Elon Musk's actions since taking office. They first listened to impassioned speeches and then marched as a group down Main Street cheerfully chanting slogans … [Read more...] about Hundreds March in Old Saybrook Against Trump/Musk, in Support of US Constitution
A View From My Porch: A Short History of the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), Why it is ‘a Worthy Project’
Feb. 16, 2025—Prologue: I read a fluorescent green flyer Sunday morning that was seeking signatures on an online petition; which I ignored. The flyer disparaged the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) and, of course, had no author or organization. It was anonymous; and began “BEWARE!” and then went on saying something about “A WOLF IN SHEEP’s CLOTHING!!” that may have been … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Short History of the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), Why it is ‘a Worthy Project’
Letter to the Editor: Halls Rd. Overlay District Proposal is ‘All About the Money’
To the Editor: To begin: This letter is from a person who staunchly opposes the Halls Road Overlay District Proposal. The specifics by their own admission include: "No more than 40 dwelling units shall be built per 1 acre of land" (HROD [Halls Road Overlay District] 11-18-24) and According to Bill Sweeney the HROD lawyer salesman from the 1st hearing the developers … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Halls Rd. Overlay District Proposal is ‘All About the Money’
Voting Closes at Noon Today in ‘USA Today’s’ ‘Best Small Town Arts Scene’ Contest, Vote for Old Lyme Today!
Editor's Note 2/11: 'USA Today' has announced that the leaderboard is closed for the final days of voting, saying, "Otherwise, there wouldn't be any surprises once the winners are announced!" The paper states, "Come back on Wednesday, February 26th at 12:00pm EST to see the results!" Editor's Note 2/8: Old Lyme is currently in second place on the Leaderboard, but we are now … [Read more...] about Voting Closes at Noon Today in ‘USA Today’s’ ‘Best Small Town Arts Scene’ Contest, Vote for Old Lyme Today!
Statement from Old Lyme’s Halls Road Improvement Committee: “Setting the Record Straight on the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD)”
Editor's Note: The Halls Road Improvement Committee (HRIC) asked us to publish this open statement to the Old Lyme community on their behalf. It is the opinion of the HRIC. There has been a wave of posts on social media and elsewhere making claims that misrepresent the actual content of the HROD proposal and distort its possible impact on our community. The true facts will … [Read more...] about Statement from Old Lyme’s Halls Road Improvement Committee: “Setting the Record Straight on the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD)”
Death Announced of Michellee K. Speirs of Old Lyme—Justice of the Peace, ‘Tireless Volunteer’, ‘First and Foremost … a Wife and Mother’
OLD LYME—Michellee K. Speirs of Old Lyme, died Friday Feb. 7, 2025, after a courageous health battle ... She is survived by her beloved husband Peter B. Speirs; and son Alec D. Speirs. Also surviving are her brothers, Ronald Kopald and Seth Kopald (Kathryn) ... ; her sisters, Kim Griswold (Doug), Sandy Dubek (Bob) and Tori Kitchen (Rick) ... In addition, she leaves behind a … [Read more...] about Death Announced of Michellee K. Speirs of Old Lyme—Justice of the Peace, ‘Tireless Volunteer’, ‘First and Foremost … a Wife and Mother’
Death Announced of John A. Russo, Jr., 91, of Old Lyme, US Army Veteran, Meteorologist
OLD LYME—John A. Russo, Jr., 91, of Old Lyme, formerly of Newington, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Janssen) Russo ... John honorably served the country in the U.S. Army. John received a BS degree in Meteorology from City College NY and a Masters in Meteorology from University of AZ and an MBA degree in Business … [Read more...] about Death Announced of John A. Russo, Jr., 91, of Old Lyme, US Army Veteran, Meteorologist
Lyme-Old Lyme HS Students Brave Freezing Temperatures to Build Bench for OL Open Space Commission
OLD LYME—The Old Lyme Open Space Commission has been busy recently! On Jan. 26, some 10 members of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Environmental Club assembled a bench following the design of others already constructed on various Old Lyme Land Trust properties. Karen Taylor, who is a tutor at LOLHS, is the advisor for the Environmental Club. The students braved … [Read more...] about Lyme-Old Lyme HS Students Brave Freezing Temperatures to Build Bench for OL Open Space Commission
Application Denied for Controversial Smith Neck Rd. House in 5-0 Vote at Monday’s Old Lyme Zoning Meeting
OLD LYME—UPDATED 1/11 at 12:10 pm: The 'Record of Votes' related to Monday night's meeting has now been published. Regarding the Special Permit Application toreplace and construct a new 5-bedroom residence with an attached 2 car garage at 43 Smith Neck Rd., RU-40 Zone, Jeffrey and Emily Merriam, applicants, the Record states, "A motion was made by D. Savageau, seconded by J. … [Read more...] about Application Denied for Controversial Smith Neck Rd. House in 5-0 Vote at Monday’s Old Lyme Zoning Meeting
Letter to the Editor: Zoning Abyss in Old Lyme Means “No Rules” for Many Properties
To the Editor: There are no rules in Old Lyme for lots of people’s property, in my professional view. The Zoning Commission needs a wholesale change from electors. I just sat in on a zoning meeting for a proposed 11,500 s.f house on Smith Neck Rd, quite large house, and the third, long, drawn out meeting for the same single property (it consumed the entire … [Read more...] about Letter to the Editor: Zoning Abyss in Old Lyme Means “No Rules” for Many Properties
Logan Landry Advances Towards Eagle Scout Status with Bridge Construction in Old Lyme’s Bartholomew Open Space
LYME-OLD LYME—As part of his qualifications to gain the prestigious Eagle Scout honor, Logan Landry, a member of Lyme-Old Lyme Boy Scout Troop 26, designed a 25 ft. long bridge to be installed over a flooded—and hence closed—trail in Bartholomew Open Space in Old Lyme. On Feb. 1, Landry successfully coordinated construction of the bridge. He was assisted by several older … [Read more...] about Logan Landry Advances Towards Eagle Scout Status with Bridge Construction in Old Lyme’s Bartholomew Open Space
Old Lyme Girls Are Indoor Track Shoreline Conference Champions!
NEW HAVEN, CT—Competing at the Floyd Little Athletic Center on Friday, Feb. 7, in New Haven, CT, the Old Lyme girls team won the Indoor Track Shoreline Conference Championship. Haddam-Killingworth (H-K) came in second place and Cromwell third. Key Old Lyme results for 1st team All-Conference-Girls were as follows: The Old Lyme boys team finished fifth in their … [Read more...] about Old Lyme Girls Are Indoor Track Shoreline Conference Champions!
Op-Ed: Support HROD—Inevitable Halls Rd. Will Change, Optional Overlay Positions Old Lyme to Better Manage Its Future: Other Choice is Leave it to Chance
Editor's Note: This op-ed is a response by Howard Margules to the op-ed by Jill and Russell Todd, which we published Feb. 5, 2025 on LymeLine.com. Margules is an Old Lyme resident and member of the Halls Road Improvements Committee. Thank you for your interest in the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) zoning proposal—I would like to address your concerns: Developers … [Read more...] about Op-Ed: Support HROD—Inevitable Halls Rd. Will Change, Optional Overlay Positions Old Lyme to Better Manage Its Future: Other Choice is Leave it to Chance
Death of Janice Montanaro Announced: Mother of Andrew ‘Monty’ Montanaro of Old Lyme, Marc & Michael
HIGHLAND BEACH, FL & OLD LYME, CT—Janice Montanaro, 76, of Highland Beach, FL and Old Lyme, CT, passed away peacefully at her home on February 2, 2025. Born on August 25, 1948, in New Britain, CT, she was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend.Predeceased by her husband, Andrew 'Drew' Montanaro, ... She is survived by her children Andrew 'Monty' Montanaro and … [Read more...] about Death of Janice Montanaro Announced: Mother of Andrew ‘Monty’ Montanaro of Old Lyme, Marc & Michael
Musical Masterworks Names Mic Herring as New Executive Director
OLD LYME—Musical Masterworks of Old Lyme has announced the appointment of Michael “Mic” Herring as its new Executive Director. With a wealth of experience in artist management, chamber music, and non-profit leadership, Herring brings energy and enthusiasm to his new role as Musical Masterworks’ first Executive Director. Herring has had a distinguished career, currently … [Read more...] about Musical Masterworks Names Mic Herring as New Executive Director