Audrey L. Bird 06/23/13
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Monthly Archives: June 2013
It’s All New at the Old “Bee”
An excerpt from a love letter from Mark Twain to his wife, Olivia, is painted on the wall of this newly renovated room in the historic Bee and Thistle Inn.
The historic Bee and Thistle Inn has been transformed to retain the integrity of the historic landmark built in 1756, whilst also providing a link to the past and nurturing artists of the present.
Guest rooms have been redecorated and each feature work by a different local artist including Adrien Broom, Pola Esther, Brian Keith Stephens, Thomas Caleb Goggans, Elizabeth Weiss, Jacques Pepin and featured artists from The Cooley Gallery and the Diane Birdsall Gallery.
Tourmaline gemstone objects d’art and Simon Pearce hand blown glass from the E.F. Watermelon Gallery are on display in the common areas. Striking outdoor art installations by Michael McLaughlin and beautiful shell sculptures by Chandler Davis dot the picturesque grounds surrounding the Inn.
Innkeepers Linnea and David Rufo are continuing to forge the trail that the historical figure, Florence Griswold, envisioned in the mid 1800s. Miss Florence was the daughter of a successful ship captain; the Griswold family lived in the mansion right next door to the current Bee and Thistle Inn, which was then the residence of Judge William Noyes and his family. The Griswold family’s fortune reversed during the Civil War, and the resourceful Florence transformed the home into a boarding house. Artists began to visit and the Lyme Art Colony was born.
Now Miss Florence’s mansion houses the renowned Florence Griswold Museum and both the four-year, nationally accredited school, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and the renowned Lyme Art Association are only a few steps away.
Formerly from the Berkshires and New York City, Linnea Rufo has had her roots planted in the hospitality industry for over 30 years as a chef, event planner and hostess. The couple purchased the property in 2006 and began the painstaking process of transforming the inn, which now features a modern, artistic interior decor.
Artists from the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan have started to frequent the Bee and Thistle on weekends, enjoying the artistic guest rooms. One recently refurbished room is reminiscent of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1969 honeymoon suite at the five-star Amsterdam Hilton where they held their “Bed-In-For-Peace.” Instead of song lyrics scripted on the walls, The Bee has painted an excerpt from a love letter from Mark Twain to his wife, Olivia.
In April, Courtney Love stayed at the Bee and Thistle during the opening of her first formal art exhibition at the Lyman Allen Art Museum, which came to New London from Fred Torres Collaborations in Chelsea, N.Y.C.
The “Bee Inspired” Art Night is planned for this coming Thursday, June 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Bee and Thistle’s dining and guest rooms to meet the artists whose work fills the Inn’s spaces, both inside and outdoors. There will be interactive activities and musical entertainment, along with complimentary wine and cheese.
Chef Kristofer Rowe’s kitchen is a hive of activity, in which he uses only the freshest local and seasonal ingredients to produce his award-winning, Zagat-rated menu. The new lounge, completed in March, has a contemporary flair with a relaxed feel evoking style and comfort.
No longer just a place for anniversary dinners, the Bee and Thisle is now a great stop for drinks and appetizers. “Bee Happy” Hours on Tuesday through Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. offer complimentary appetizers, $4 beers, $5 glasses of wine, $6 specialty drinks and the Inn’s famous Bantam half plates.
Thursday night’s “Bee Indulged” three course dinners including a complimentary bottle of wine are affordable at just $75 for two people. Lunch is served on Fridays and Saturdays both inside and outdoors.
“Early Bee” specials with a 5 p.m. dinner reservation also on Fridays and Saturdays offer one half price entrée with the purchase of another entrée presenting a pleasant opportunity for theater-goers before evening shows and after matinees at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Ivoryton Playhouse, Goodspeed Theater and Garde Arts Center.
“Bee Laid-Back” on Sunday afternoons … drinks and appetizers are served outside, and local musicians whose careers are just beginning to burgeon will perform for guests.
“Bee Spirited” Petanque (or “lawn bowling”) is a group activity on the Inn’s beautifully landscaped back lawn, which is offered monthly from late spring through early fall. Groups of friends can come together for some friendly competition followed by food and drinks.
The Bee and Thistle is still a perfect location for a New England wedding. Couples can make the Inn their home and enjoy exclusive use of the property for garden nuptials against a sunset canvas on five acres along the Lieutenant River vista. Choices include dinner with dancing and service for 200 guests on the south lawn, or an intimate gathering that includes dining fireside.
The Bee and Thistle Inn is located at 100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371. For more information, visit www.beeandthistleinn.com, telephone: 860.434.1667, email: Innkeeper@BeeandThistleInn.com
“Lucky” Lyme-Old Lyme Graduates Urged to “Leave No Door Unopened”
The weather was perfect for a graduation. In the fields behind the newly-renovated Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS), friends and family chatted eagerly in their seats; their anticipation was electric, intensifying the bright colors of summer and the crisp, blue sky.
Then the LOLHS band, directed by Jacob Wilson, began to play the classic graduation anthem, Pomp and Circumstance, and the excitement began to escalate, climaxing in cheers as the graduating Class of 2013 finally emerged.
First to speak was Class President Nora Syed, who praised her class for sticking together from their early days in elementary school to the “awkward” middle school phase, and finally through the construction at the high school. She ended her speech in a triumphant, “Congratulations Class of 2013, we did it!”
Principal James Wygonik was next, thanking the senior class for all they had contributed to the school by working hard and giving back to the community. Remarking that it would seem odd coming from him, since he had spent the past four years encouraging the Class of 2013 to be risk-averse, he now advised the Class to take risks and step outside their ‘comfort zone,’ whether in the making of new friends, taking of a difficult course or applying for a tough job.
“Embrace the road less traveled,” he urged, while congratulating them on a challenging four years, which had spanned the entire high school renovation.
Aron D’Aquila, the history teacher at LOLHS, offered his own wise words, “Be true to yourself … yet trust.” Peppered throughout with references to his beloved Abraham Lincoln, he told the story of his decision to pursue his passion — history — rather than become an engineer as expected like his father and grandfather. Although he was initially nervous to tell his father of his change of plan, his father was, in fact, very receptive, encouraging his son to follow his own instincts. D’Aquila told the Class of 2013 to do the same on their unceasing search for “self”.
Michelle Gao, the Honor Essayist, described her high school experience in her speech, comparing LOLHS to an open door. She reminisced about middle school days and then alluded to the class’s future beyond the threshold of high school: employment, mortgage, marriage, children and more. No longer children themselves, she urged her class to overcome their fears and take advantage of any opportunity. Her sage advice to her peers? “Leave no door unopened.”
After a rousing rendition of Phillip Phillips’ Home by the LOLHS combined choirs, directed by Kristine Pekar, Salutatorian Maria Awwa drew a parallel between the growth from freshman to senior and the renovation of the high school. Like the high school, the Class of 2013 needed “fixing up” in their freshman year but, by senior year, they were ready to shine.
Valedictorian Jennifer Kowalski cleared up any superstitions about “unlucky” 13. She proceeded to thank her family, teachers, and classmates for supporting her and for allowing her to be herself. She recounted many of her fond memories at the high school, concluding that she and her class were, contrary to the superstition, “very lucky.” and wishing them a future of, “Good luck.”
Following the presentation of the Mildred Sanford award for Outstanding Educator to Spanish teacher Jeanne Manfredi, the presentation of the diplomas by Superintendent of Region 18 Schools Ian Neviaser and Chair of the Region 18 Board of Education, James Witkins began.
Excited parents armed themselves with their cameras as the soon-to-be alumni confidently walked onto stage to receive their diplomas. Despite the request that all applause should be held until the very end, the audience could not help but erupt into cheers (and sometimes airhorns) after each candidate.
Finally, Assistant Principal Michelle Dean reminded the Class of 2013 to always find humor in life and never take them selves too seriously. In a final farewell, she commended them for their joyous camaraderie and wished them much luck for the future.
And with the toss of their hats, the Class of 2013 stepped from childhood into adulthood.
Lyme-Old Lyme High School Class of 2013
Erik Knut Abrahamsson
Gunnar Stephan Abrahamsson
Vincent Robert Angeli
Maria Awwa
Sebastian Blaize Bakoledis
Jackson Church Bennett
Blaise Nash Berglund
Jeffrey David Berry
Nicholas Elliott Berry
Lilly Marie Birk
Olivia Susan Borsari
Gabrielle Faith Borzillo
Alexandra Marie Bowker
Alex Richardson Brault
Michael Allen Bray
Paul Edwin Burdick
Amanda Rose Burke
Dylan Joseph Burton
Devin James Byrne
Nathan Todd Carabello
Kayla Marie Carberry
Erik Leighton Carlson
Micaela Elizabeth Caulkins
Patricia Louise Celone
Madalyn Adelle Cika
Lauren Carol-Helen Colburn
Samantha Lorraine Constantinou
James Bennett Cromarty
Jabez Alan Crook
Sean Xavier Crowley
Nathan Daniel Crysler
Georgia Morrell Cummins
Daena D’Mello
Chris Anthony Espinal
Keegan Rain Fecher
Agatha Ruth Forstein
Tyler Miguel Franco
Matthew James Fuller
Andrew Michael Ganey
Michelle Gao
Gregory John Garrison
Richard Arthur Gaudet
Anthony Ramiro Goncalves
Slater Broderick Gregory
Frederick John Harrison
Lily Claire Hartmann
Matthew Joseph Harty
Hunter Graham Holmes
Audra Jayne Inglis
Trevor Talbot Kegley
Najee Nicole Keller
Steven Wayne Klimaszewski
Lindsey Brooke Knepshield
Jennifer Kay Kowalski
Molly Kristen Labriola
Veronica Oddny Lee
George Harold Logan
Cara Lord Lucey
Agatha Luma Magalhaes,
Georgia Elizabeth Mal
Tanya Malih Malik
Carly Janette Mangs
Michael Austin Mann
Kathryn Rachel Mastrianna
Allyson June McCarthy
Robert William McDonald
Isabelle Erin McKeon
Lucky Hana McLaren
Mercedes Marie Mercado
Anne Elizabeth Meyer
Victoria Jane Montanaro
Dylan Joseph Morrissey
Elliott Patrick Mueller
Erik Gunnar Nicholson
Meghan Ellen Nosal
Aidan Brooks O’Donnell
Paige Elizabeth Palenski
Kelly Biren Patel
Shawn Patrick Pelissier
Andrew Masayoshi Pitman
Rory Elizabeth Plyler
Robert Edward Poirier
Katherine Mary Quinn
Travis George Russell
Taylor McCall Saunders
Lindsey Beverly Scott
Crow Jared Sheehan
Arielle Rose Sherman-Golembeski
Timothy James Shoemaker
Audrey Elizabeth Spina
Samuel Thomas Stadnick
David Benjamin Sturgell
Samuel Brooks Sweitzer
Nora Binti Syed
Sarah Allyn Talcott
Xinyue Cynthia Tan
Taylor Marie Teixeira
Arin Jean Thomas
Alexis Rayanne Thornton
Brooke Andrea Tinnerello
Caroline Kay Tompkins
Rebecca Grace Tompkins
Andrew Robert Tyrol
Amber Gabriella Vernacatola
Brenna Rose Visgilio
Spencer Thomas Ward
Caleb Isaac Weissinger
Lucille Iva Welles
Morgan Ward White
Samuel James Wilkie
Alexis Marie Wright
The Latest Buzz about Mosquitoes
The mosquito season will shortly be upon us and many of us, in an effort to keep the pesky insects at a distance, will get out last year’s spray cans and bottles of DEET™ and OFF! or OFF! Backwoods (SC Johnson products.) We may get our sprayers ready and check the hardware stores that feature the latest backyard propane mosquito traps and clip-on repellents.
The danger to public health takes the form of two diseases transmitted to humans by the bite of the mosquito, West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. By the way, aerial sprays have been proven to be the least effective approach to mosquito control. Some studies cited in the publication Beyond Pesticides indicate that DEET rapidly loses its effect over time and that it takes only one generation of mosquitoes to become insensitive to the chemicals in DEET because the insects mutate so rapidly.
Studies also indicate that DEET, especially in higher percentages, can cause severe skin reactions and can interfere with the central nervous system enzyme identified as AChE. Read the precautionary statements on a bottle of OFF!Backwoods! to get an idea of the potential risks. Studies indicate that under certain conditions using DEET in combination with permethrin has resulted in motor defects and memory dysfunction in humans.
In general, spraying the skin with or inhaling spray from products employing permethrin, resmethrin (Scourge), malathion (Fifanon), sumithrin (Anvil), organophosphate or piperong butoxide (PBO) should be avoided. They can be highly toxic to certain humans, especially children and pregnant women.
So if I do decide to put my can of DEET aside and avoid products with the potentially harmful chemicals listed above, what can I do to avoid the risk of being bitten by a mosquito carrying a deadly virus?
First, make sure that you eliminate all stagnant water in your immediate area because mosquitoes lay their eggs in places like leaf-clogged gutters, discarded tires, bird baths, and rain barrels that are neither covered nor emptied every couple of days. After only four days, mosquito eggs in stagnant water can mature into adults looking for blood.
One of the products that you can safely use in pools of water goes by the name Bt (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis). Follow the directions on the product called Mosquito Dunks which may be effective for up to 30 days.
Second, prepare before going out in the evening when mosquitoes are most active. Cover exposed skin and apply repellents that do not include the chemicals listed above. Instead, use products with any of the following: oil of lemon eucalyptus or eucalyptus with aloe vera, garlic oil (doesn’t smell), cedar oil, pine oil, pepper extract (picaridin), herbal extracts, and citronella.
Also available is a nontoxic mosquito repellent patch that uses a vitamin (Thiamin B1) as its deterrent. It can be used on children as young as one year old and reputedly remains effective for 36 hours.
Third, light up the good old reliable citronella candles if you want to keep mosquitoes away from your late night dinner on the patio.
So, avoid the harmful chemicals and be ready for a busy summer, one that is free from the buzz and bite of those pesky and sometimes deadly mosquitoes!
‘Stay & Play’ Hosts Free Day Fundraiser Tomorrow, Benefits Soup Kitchens
All these slides open tomorrow — entry by canned good donation for Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries.
Stay and Play is celebrating the reopening of its popular summer outdoors water slides tomorrow with a Slide into Summer food-raiser for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries (SSKP). Instead of an admission fee, the center is accepting donations of non-perishable food for the regional soup kitchen.
The SSKP provides approximately 900,000 meals worth of food each year to families in the Connecticut shoreline towns of Lyme and Old Lyme along with Essex, Chester, Clinton, Madison, Old Saybrook, East Lyme, Killingworth, Westbrook and Deep River.
“Being a part of the community is important to us,” says Roger Rose, Stay and Play owner and founder, who started the food-raiser tradition to kick off last year’s water slide season. “We’re excited that summer is finally here, but warmer weather doesn’t reduce the needs that people in this region have for food.”
Tomorrow, instead of the standard admission of $9, or one punch per child on Stay and Play’s popular Play Pass, donation of non-perishable food to the Soup Kitchens will give families with children under the age of 13 access to the center’s outdoor waterslides, the Play Room for kids up to age 7 or the Game Room for the older kids.
The Saturday reopening activities include Live Music by BossGuitar featuring Stay and Play Dads Jonathan Kehew of Corner Music and Chris Billeau of Connecticut River Concierge, and hula hooping with Professional Hooper Maia Bingham of Every Body Hoops. JAMSS restaurant of Old Saybrook will be selling their delicious food, in addition to Stay and Play’s nutritious snacks, beverages and summer ice cream treats.
This is the fourth year for the seasonal water slides, which are available for private birthday parties as well as being open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. The four lanes of splashing fun are set up daily in a fenced in area, with a shaded area for kids and adults. There is no standing water in the slides, a safety factor for children. There are slides for both larger and smaller children, plus a splash area and water tables for tots.
“Since the slides are all about getting wet, we provide indoor bathrooms for changing,” says Rose. “Or, just show up in your swim wear and remember to bring dry clothes to change into for the inside activities.”
Stay and Play has continued to expand since opening its original Play Room in 2008 for children under 7. The Play Room, pictured right, features slides, padded flooring and bouncy toys in a clean space to run, jump and play.
Kids can enjoy healthy light snacks in the School Bus Café, a real school bus repurposed for the Play Room. For adults, Rose stocks Bean and Leaf roasted gourmet coffee and signature wraps from Tissa’s and other Old Saybrook eateries.
In January 2012, Stay and Play launched its Game Room for children under 13, with games ranging from foosball, air hockey and skeeball to bumper pool and shuffleboard tables, as well as Nok-Hockey and basketball hoops. Younger children also can enjoy the Game Room, with parental supervision. Parents of older children can take a break on the overstuffed sofas in the Play Room or join in the fun in the Game Room. A new LEGO pit in the Game Room is proving to be very popular.
More than 800 area residents volunteer to help prepare warm meals and deliver food through the SSKP. They serve meals seven days a week, rotating daily between eight different locations in the shoreline region. Grocery distributions to people in need are made at 5 locations on four days of the week. The SKKP, which relies on donations and food purchased from area wholesalers and food banks, calculates that a pound of food in Connecticut costs $1.50, on average. See shorelinesoupkitchens.org . Monetary donations to SSKP also will be accepted.
Stay and Play is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, admission is $9 per child, no charge for adults, Play Passes are available, as are reduced rates on weekdays after 3 pm. All of the facilities are available for parties, including private, after-hour events for children and adults.
Waterslide status will be posted online at www.stayandplayllc.com or “Like” Stay and Play on Facebook for updates.
For more information, call Stay at Play at 860-395-4446.