Monthly Archives: July 2017

All the Fun of the Festival! Midsummer Memories 2017

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Contingency plans were in place for the anticipated rain but were never needed. Old Lyme’s 2017 Midsummer Festival was once again a hugely successful event enjoyed by thousands.

Enjoy our photos below to experience again — or perhaps for the first time if you couldn’t be there – all the sights (you’ll have to imagine the sounds!) of the Festival!

All photos by Nigel Logan.

The ‘Fence Artists’ in their new location at the Old Lyme Inn drew large crowds.

Up and down Lyme Street, there were food and drink options galore — and happy smiles everywhere — especially this one from Meagan Crowley!

The Class of 2019 hosted a Bake Sale extraordinaire in front of Center School where the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools were a welcome first-time participant in the Festival.

David Brown carefully totaled a customer’s purchases of honey and other ‘bee-related’ items at the stall on the Florence Griswold Museum grounds.

Having been rained out on Memorial Day, the Lyme-Old Lyme Lions joined the festival for the first time this year on the grounds of the Bee & Thistle Inn …

A smiling VP of Development, Fritz Jellinghaus, manned the Information Table at Lyme Academy


Back at Center School, the Techno-Ticks strutted their robotics ‘stuff’ to the delight of festival visitors.

The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce hosted a Vendor Fair on the lawn opposite Lyme Academy.

It was all go at the Lyme Art Association with art inside and out.

Ibby Carruthers of iCRV Radio was busy all day interviewing Festival personalities.

The Lyme Tree Woman’s Exchange sold their beautiful wares in the Chamber’s Vendor Market.

A musician played in front of Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe.

Wild boar, alligator, kangaroo …? Yes, all types of jerky on sale at the Festival.

The Balloon Man entertained all ages in front of the Old Lyme Town Hall.

Andy’s Deli was a wonderful new addition to the festival this year.

And keeping everyone safe throughout the day were the always cheerful Old Lyme Police!

Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival is Today! So Much to Celebrate, Enjoy at a Dozen Locations on Lyme Street

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Flowers at the Festival: the Florence Griswold Museum hosts a number variety fresh flower, fruit and vegetable vendors.

OLD LYME– A “quintessential New England” weekend, this year’s Old Lyme Midsummer Festival kicks off tonight, Friday, July 28, with a toe-tapping concert on the lawn of the Florence Griswold Museum, and continues Saturday, July 29, up and down Lyme Street with new offerings and old favorites throughout the day.  The concert this evening starts at 7 p.m. but the grounds of the Museum are open from 5 p.m. for al fresco picnicking.

This year’s 31st annual festival again takes place in the heart of Old Lyme’s historic district. The mission of the festival partners is to celebrate the cultural heritage of Old Lyme, with art, music, food and family fun.

Nick and the Shady Creek band will entertain in a free concert on Friday evening, July 28.

The festivities kick-off Friday night featuring the bluegrass sounds of Nick and the Shady Creek with a lawn concert beginning at 7 p.m. This free concert is sponsored by All Pro Automotive and the Graybill Family.  Before the concert the Florence Griswold Museum will host an open house, with free admission to the special exhibition Flora/Fauna: The Naturalist Impulse in American Art from 5 to 7 p.m.

The crowd settles in to enjoy the Friday night concert at the Florence Griswold Museum.

The Saturday Festival continues with arts exhibitions, kid’s activities, music, food and specialty shopping at locations along historic Lyme Street. Many locations also include “hands on” arts activities.

The bulls at the Lyme Art Association are alway a major draw at the Festival.

Shuttle buses will be available for the length of the festival, and take participants from designated parking lots to stops along Lyme Street. Parking lots will be open at the high school campus on Lyme Street, as well as the Old Lyme Marketplace on Halls Road.

Partner activities and events on Saturday include the following (from the north end to south end of Lyme Street):

Old Lyme Lions Club: Annual Antique Car Show, held at the Bee & Thistle. The Lions will also serve hamburgers and hot dogs.

Florence Griswold Museum: a new Bohemian Street Fair, Hands-on/Minds-on Activities, Parading Paws Dog Show, food trucks, Folk Musician Dave Fry, The Shop Super Sale, and reduced admission to historic house and exhibitions

Lyme Art Association: Art sales and exhibitions, savory pies, LAA’s famous Ice Tea and Lemonade, and a fun and interactive “Masterpiece Photo Op”

Old Lyme Inn: Live music and refreshments under the tent, air-conditioned table service inside the historic inn

The “Fence Artists” will be back at the Old Lyme Inn this year.

Fence Artists Show: Now at the Old Lyme Inn, this group of local artists will sell artwork and provide art demonstrations throughout the day.

Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts: Art demonstrations, student/alumni exhibition, live music and refreshments

Chamber of Commerce: A Vendor Fair and youth music tent

The 2017 Summer Sculpture Showcase features exhibits from more than 15 guest sculptors as well as some 80 pieces by owner and sculptor Gil Boro.

Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds: Summer Sculpture Showcase, fashion show, dance performance, live music and artist talk

Patricia Spratt for the Home: The always-anticipated warehouse sale of specialty linens

Lymes Youth Services Bureau: The Midsummer 5K

See a selection of historic looms in action at the old Lyme Historical Society’s presentation in the former Grange building on Lyme St.

Old Lyme Historical Society: Handweavers’ demonstration and community loom, troubadour Jim Lampos, Historical Society publications for sale.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools: Learn more about the extracurricular activities of the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools including the High School Crew Team and musical opportunities.

Town of Old Lyme/Senior Center: Music & Movement yoga for families, Magician “Mr. Magic,” caricature drawings, King Arthur Flour Cookie Truck

Old Lyme-PGN Library: Phoebe’s BookCellar Midsummer Sale, hourly story times, Young Adult’s screenprinting, History Press authors, hands-on learning on e-books and more

Most locations will have food options available.

A detailed listing of events and activities is available at www.OldLymeMidsummerFestival.com.

Key sponsors of the Festival include Essex Savings Bank/Essex Financial Services, Pasta Vita, LymeLine.com/ValleyNewsNow.com, and The Day Publishing. Additional financial support comes from Paul Burdick Oil Company, Old Lyme Marketplace, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Florence Griswold Museum, Zelek Electric, and Caliber Computing.

Essex Attorney Selected as Official Democratic Candidate for District 33 Probate Court Judge

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Attorney Jeannine Lewis

On Thursday, July 20, delegates representing nine towns within the 33rd State Senate District, which includes the Town of Lyme, selected Jeannine Lewis, an attorney at Hudson and Kilby, as the Democratic candidate for the upcoming vacancy of District 33 probate court judge.  As well as Lyme, Connecticut’s 33rd Probate Court District includes Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.  The probate court for District 33 is located in Old Saybrook.

In announcing her selection, the District 33 Democratic Town Committee delegates commended Lewis for her extensive experience and expertise in Connecticut probate law; her deep understanding of the issues and responsibilities involved; and her personal and professional commitment to protecting the rights of – and serving the needs of – area residents who require the assistance of the probate court.  The delegates also thanked the other three individuals who had been vying for this nomination – attorneys James Carey, Sean Donlan and Stephen Sheehan. 

Probate judges typically handle estates, trusts, adoptions, name changes, and the termination of parental rights and conservatorships, among other important matters. All candidates for the position must be members of the Connecticut bar. 

Upon receiving the nomination, Lewis said, “Since I first applied to law school, it has been a dream of mine to serve my community as judge of probate.  If elected to this position in November, I plan to dedicate my time outside of the  court’s daily duties to mentoring new attorneys, and to providing assurances that our elderly and disabled community members are properly cared for and protected.”

Lewis, in addition to her law practice – which is focused on probate matters, estate planning and elder law – is the Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association’s (CBA’s) Elder Law Section, and serves on the Integrity of the Practice/Pro Bono Committee of the CBA’s Estates and Probate Section.  She is a board member of the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, and provides pro bono legal counsel to Sister Cities Essex Haiti, a local charity that helps residents of the town of Deschapelles, Haiti.

Lewis will face Republican and other challengers in the Tuesday, Nov. 7, special election later this year.

102nd Army Band Rock Ensemble Plays Tonight in Sound View Concert Series

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The 102nd Army Band of the CT National Guard will play at Sound View, July 27.

2:35pm Update: Due the forecast of inclement weather, this concert will be held in the Shoreline Community Center at 39 Hartford Ave.

The Town of Old Lyme and the Sound View Commission are sponsoring family-friendly concerts at Sound View Beach this summer.

The next concert in the 2017 series will be held this evening, Thursday, July 27, and features the great music of the 102nd Army Band Rock Ensemble of the CT National Guard.  The 102nd Army Band is an outfit of the Connecticut National Guard in Rockville, Conn. As goodwill ambassadors for Connecticut and the nation, they perform at concerts, ceremonies, and parades all over the U.S. and around the world.

The free outdoor concerts will take place from 7 through 8.30 p.m., near the flag pole at the end of Hartford Avenue at Sound View Beach.

Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and settle in for a lovely evening of sunset music.  The band plays a little bit of everything from marches, movie-themed medleys, and jazz, to big band, pop, and classical. Everyone is welcome to attend these family-friendly events.

‘String of Pearls’ Plays ‘Summer Sounds’ Tonight at Lymes’ Senior Center

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The ‘String of Pearls’ band will play at Lymes’ Senior Center, July 27.

Come and enjoy a summer evening at the Lymes’ Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Rd. for “Summer Sounds” — a five-week musical series.  All ages are welcome. Admission is free.

‘String of Pearls’ will present the fourth and final concert Thursday evening, July 27, starting at 7 p.m.  The band will play Big Band sounds

The Platinum Sponsor is Lymes’ Senior Center.

The Ice Cream Sponsor is the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee

Bring your chairs, blankets, dinner, etc. the performances will be held out on the lawn (weather permitting) or inside if the weather is inclement.

A free ice cream social will follow all concerts.