Town of Old Lyme Hires Firm to Conduct Revaluation

The Town of Old Lyme has hired Vision Government Solutions (VGS) to conduct a property revaluation for the entire town.  As of Feb. 1, the company has four full-time data collectors working in various parts of town.

This winter has obviously created difficult working conditions and consequently VGS is working in currently accessible areas.  Data collectors from VGS will be visiting houses in the beach areas to conduct an initial exterior measure.  A second visit will be made during warmer weather and on a Saturday.

Data collectors will also be working in the neighborhoods off Mile Creek Road.

Property owners with questions about the revaluation process should contact the Assessor’s Office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.  at 860 434 1605, ext. 219.

The Town will be providing additional updates throughout the revaluation process, which we will publish promptly.

College Hosts Nationally Acclaimed Artist/Author Sharon Louden Tonight

Sharon Louden

Sharon Louden

Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts hosts nationally acclaimed artist and author Sharon Louden, who will present a talk and a book-signing at the College tomorrow evening, Thursday, Feb. 6.  Louden will discuss her new book, ‘Living & Sustaining a Creative Life: 40 Artist Essays,’ at 7 p.m. after a reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m.

Louden’s talk will take the form of a conversation when she chats with faculty and invited guests in front of the audience before a question and answer portion open to all in attendance.  A book signing will follow.  Tickets are $10 per person.

A refreshing and honest look at the reality of sustaining a creative practice over time, Louden’s book is already in its second printing – the first sold out almost immediately.  The book is a collection of essays from 40 artists who share their approach to juggling their creative lives with making a living.  All are unique stories with the same common thread of sustaining a creative life in and outside the studio.

living_and_sustaining_a_creative_life_book_cover__medium“It’s the truth of the day-to-day living that I am after in this book…” says Louden in the preface to her book. She continues, “The power of creativity does not just lie in an artist’s work, but also in how he or she continues to create regardless of the obstacles life places in the way.”  Hear Louden share stories of sustaining a creative practice by turning obstacles into opportunities at this event.

Louden received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA from Yale University, School of Art. Louden’s work has been exhibited in many museums and galleries worldwide and is in numerous permanent collections including the National Gallery of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Louden lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

Seating for this event is limited and by reservation only.  For reservations, contact Ann de Selding at 860.434.3571 ext. 117 or email her at adeselding@lymeacademy.edu.  The College is closed today, feb. 5, but if you email or call Ann today regarding a reservation, she will respond promptly tomorrow morning.

Potapaug Presents Beekeeping Talk by CT’s Beehive Inspector, Tonight at OL Town Hall

Bees, bees, glorious bees!

Bees, bees, glorious bees!

Potapaug Audubon presents “Beekeeping in Connecticut: History, Challenges & Opportunities” tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Old Lyme Town Hall, 52 Lyme St., Old Lyme, with guest speaker, Mark Creighton.

Creighton is a Beekeeper and Agricultural Research Technician at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and Connecticut’s Apiary Inspector, inspecting the 5,400 beehives in the state.

This is a free program.

Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 860-710-5811.

Winter Storm Niko Closes Town Hall, Schools Today; Stay Off the Roads

Photo by Rachel Edwards. Post-Maximus and pre-Niko, yesterday was one of the prettiest days in The Lymes for a long time.

Photo by Rachel Edwards.
Post-Maximus and pre-Niko, yesterday was one of the prettiest days in The Lymes for a long time.

9:18am Update:  Old Lyme Town Hall will be closed today due to icy conditions.  Please stay off the roads as conditions are worsening.  Per Shoreline Sanitation trash/recycling pickup will start at 9 a.m., but they will not go onto unsanded private roads.  This may change if conditions worsen.

9:42am: Tonight’s Board of Education meeting has been postponed until Wednesday, Feb. 12.  It will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. (immediately following the Budget Forum.)

10:43am: Lyme Public Library is closed today.

Winter Storm Niko is blanketing the Lymes in yet more snow this morning closing all District 18 schools and Lyme Academy College for the day. Following so close on the heels of Winter Storm Maximus, which hit the area on Monday, Niko is packing a  fierce one-two punch.

Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for the entire state until 6 p.m. this evening.  At 6:45 a.m., radar showed moderate to heavy snow falling across the state with a mix of sleet and freezing rain within 10 miles of the coast.

Roadways are snow covered across the state with very slick conditions and a very high impact on travel.  Total snowfall thus far ranges from 3” to 5” in Eastern Connecticut, 4” to 6” in Central Connecticut and up to 9” in Western Connecticut.

Temperatures currently range from the mid to upper 20’s in Northern CT to near 30 F along the coast.

Heavy snow at times is expected across most of the state between 6 and 9 a.m.  A major impact is expected on this morning’s rush hour with 4” to 5” of snow cover on roads, low visibility, heavy snow falling at times, and very slick driving conditions.  The morning commute will be treacherous – take great care.

Snowfall rates of 1” to 2” inches per hour can be expected north of the changeover line until 9:30 a.m.

This afternoon light to moderate rain and snow are anticipated through the early afternoon. Precipitation is expected to taper off to light snow and showers by 2 p.m.  Light snow is expected to continue through the afternoon and taper off completely this evening.

Temperature highs will be near freezing with temperatures starting to fall back into the upper 20s by the end of the afternoon rush hour.  The overall impact on the afternoon rush hour is expected to be minor to moderate.

Total snowfall for this storm continues to forecast accumulations from 4” to 6” along the coast,

Old Lyme Town officials are continuing to monitor the latest forecasts and will send out updates as needed.

Additional cancellations and delays are anticipated and will be posted as received.

Lyme Library Celebrates Its Centennial Today

LibrarySign_94.2KB

The Lyme Public Library is open today, Tuesday, Feb. 3, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Library opening its doors.  This event was postponed from yesterday due to Winter Storm Maximus.

In October of 1913, the town of Lyme voted to establish a public library, and on Feb. 3, 1914, the Library officially opened its doors to the public for the first time.  The Library was originally housed in the basement of the Lyme Congregational Church in Hamburg Cove.

In 1971, the Library opened in its current location, and a new library building is currently under construction on the lot next to the existing site.  The new Lyme Public Library building is expected to open in the fall of 2014.

All regular library services will be available today, and the Library will celebrate with special displays and refreshments as well.

The Library is located at 482 Hamburg Road in Lyme.  Call 860-434-2272 for information or visit www.lymepl.org.