Head to the beach on a brisk Sunday afternoon in March to taste some chili, and you can support the 2017 Safe Graduation Party!

The Safe Grad Chili Cook-off at Lenny’s on the Beach in Soundview will offer an array of homemade chilis — all different types and different recipes — for visitors to taste and then vote for their favorites. Traditional accompaniments like cornbread and oyster crackers are included. Beverages, including Lenny’s own Soundview Brewing Co “Brew with the View,” will be available for purchase. 

The Safe Grad Chili Cook-off takes place on Sunday, March 26, from 1 to 4 p.m.  Tickets are $10 per person, available at the door.  Lenny’s is located on the beach at 88 Hartford Avenue, Old Lyme.

Proceeds benefit the 2017 Safe Graduation Party.  March Madness will be on the TV — or simply enjoy the spectacular view of Long Island Sound while you help choose the best chili!

The Safe Graduation Party is an all-night, substance-free party for Lyme–Old Lyme High School seniors, taking place on graduation night in a secret, secure location. The kids will have all sorts of activities to keep them busy — sports, movies, music, games, food, etc. But it’s also a chance for our graduates to enjoy their last night together as a class, a night they’ll remember for years to come.

The total cost, including bus transportation and dinner beforehand, is not paid for by the school nor the school district.  The Safe Grad Committee raises funds from the class and through various fundraisers like the fall pie sale, restaurant nights, and the Chili Cook-off. 

In the coming weeks there will be a few more restaurant nights, a raffle, Dumpster Day, and more!  Lyme/Old Lyme Safe Graduation Party is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For more information on the Chili Cook-off or the 2017 Safe Grad Party, find the 2017 Safe Grad group on Facebook at lolsafegrad2017 or visit www.lolsafegrad.com.

Tom McDermott

The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL) has announced that Tom McDermott, the New Orleans piano virtuoso, will perform a concert for area residents at 5 p.m., Saturday, March 25, in the Sheffield Auditorium at the church.  A donation of $10 at the door is suggested.  Doors for the concert will open at 4:30 p.m. and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

McDermott’s music has been heard frequently on NPR, the Showtime series “The Knick,” and the HBO series “Treme” (10 of his songs were included throughout the show.)  During his accomplished career, he has recorded more than a dozen albums, including 75 original tunes.  McDermott was a member of the Dukes of Dixieland for several years, as well as a founding member of the New Orleans Nightcrawlers. 

His concert will consist of both original works and timeless classics, and reflect his musical expertise in ragtime, jazz, funk, blues and choro (a Brazilian musical form with similarities to ragtime and jazz). The “New York Times” once said of him in a review, “Whatever direction he moves in, Mr. McDermott is a very skillful pianist.”

In announcing the performance, FCCOL Senior Minister Steve Jungkeit said, “Tom’s work reminds us of the power of music to lift the human spirit. In times of great social injustices such as the one we currently live in, we need the musicians – and the novelists, and the poets and the filmmakers – to remind us of our need for beauty and art … not only to speak to our social struggles but also to help us transcend them. Tom is an amazing artist who can help us do just that. This is a concert not to be missed.”

At the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, music is a vital element of communal life – sacred, secular, classical, jazz, barrelhouse blues. 

For more information, visit the church’s website at www.fccol.org and/or Tom McDermott’s website at www.mcdermottmusic.com.

Looking to get involved, make new friends and make a difference?

Join High Hopes Therapeutic Riding for their Chili Open House on Saturday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their facility in Old Lyme.  The event is open to members of the community to give them an opportunity to learn about one of the top therapeutic riding centers in the nation, while enjoying chili with all the fixings.  Bring a buddy and meet High Hopes’  “Buddy”, the horse.

This open house is informal, child-friendly, and your visit can be as long, or short, as your schedule allows.

Those looking to make a difference in the lives of High Hopes’ participants can learn about volunteer opportunities. There are frequent openings for sidewalkers, office help, barn assistance, special event planning and more..

It’s not too early to think about summer and camp staff will be on hand to talk about the High Hopes range of 2017 summer camp programs, which start in July.

High Hopes is located at 36 Town Woods Road in Old Lyme.  RSVP to 860-434-1974 to help us in chili-making planning.

For more information and directions call 860-434-1974 or visit www.highhopestr.org.

High Hopes is one of the oldest and largest therapeutic riding centers in the United States, operating since 1974 and accredited by PATH Intl. (formerly the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) since 1979.

Annually, High Hopes serves over 1,700 individuals. Assisted by over 675 volunteers and a herd of 27 horses specifically trained for therapeutic riding, High Hopes is committed to providing the highest quality of services to the community. Of the more than 800 programs that are members of PATH Intl., High Hopes is one of only six centers in the United States approved by PATH Intl. to provide their training courses in therapeutic riding instruction and has trained instructors from all over the world.