Monthly Archives: August 2017

Federation of Old Lyme Beaches Hosts ‘Meet The Democratic Candidates’ Event Tonight

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The Federation of Old Lyme Beaches is hosting two ‘Meet the Candidates’ nights on Friday, Aug. 18, and Friday, Aug. 25, respectively for the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.

Challengers Jude Read and Chris Kerr are the Republican candidates for First and Second Selectmen – they were on hand last Friday, Aug. 18.

Incumbents Bonnie Reemsnyder and Mary Jo Nosal are the Democratic candidates for the same positions and will similarly be on hand at tonight’s event being held from 7 to 10 p.m.

Both events will be held at the Shoreline Community Center, 39 Hartford Ave. Sound View.

Parking is available across the street from the Community Center.

Municipal elections awill be held this November and this is an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates about important issues facing Old Lyme and particularly the beach areas. Candidates for Old Lyme Selectmen, Boards, and Commissions are invited to make presentations and answer your questions.

The Federation of Beaches urges everyone to attend and become informed voters.

Elected Officials, Candidates, Potential Candidates Turn Out for Annual Lyme DTC Picnic

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Congressman Joe Courtney and Lyme Selectman Candidate John Kiker at the LDTC picnic. Photo by Shauna MacDonald.

Congressman Joe Courtney, Secretary of State Denise Merrill, State Representative Matthew Lesser,  two potential 2018 gubernatorial candidates – Jonathan Harris and Chris Mattei – along with District 33 probate judge candidate Jeannine Lewis and Lyme First Selectman Steve Mattson were among the speakers at the Annual Lyme Democratic Committee (DTC) Picnic held this past Saturday, Aug. 19.  The event was emceed by John Kiker, the Democratic candidate for Lyme selectman, at the Sunset Hill Vineyard.

The speakers addressed the need to turn out Democrats for the upcoming municipal elections on Nov. 7 and to more actively engage local Democrats year round in their state and local governments.  Lewis, Mattson and Kiker are all up for election in November in Lyme as, respectively, District 33 probate judge, first selectman and selectman.

Lyme First Selectman Steve Mattson (2nd from left) and District 33 Probate Judge Candidate Jeannine Lewis (speaking) at the LDTC picnic. Photo by Shauna MacDonald.

Mattson said, “As we move toward this November’s election, I believe this is the message you will hear. Get involved in your town.  Love your town.  That is the reason I agreed to run for first selectman and I know John shares the same objective as he runs for selectman.”

Kiker said he hoped to encourage more residents to actively participate in discussions and decisions that could potentially affect the town – by serving on and attending the meetings of our boards, commissions and committees – so Lyme remains the beautiful, historic community it is.

The Lyme DTC’s mission is to support and strengthen the Democratic Party in the Town of Lyme and the State of Connecticut.  The committee meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyme Town Hall. The meetings are open to the public and all registered Democrats are encouraged to attend.

Sound View Hosts Final, Free Concert in Summer Series Tonight, ‘Duke Robillard & His All-Star Band’ Perform

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Duke Robillard

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

The final concert in the 2017 series will be held Thursday evening, Aug. 24, and features Duke Robillard and his All Star Band. International recording artist and Grammy nominee, Duke is recipient of many awards including: The Blues Music Awards “Best Blues Guitarist,” Canadian Maple Blues Awards “Best International Blues Artist,” The French Blues Association “Album of the Year” and “Guitarist of the Year.”

BB King himself has called Duke “One of the great players.” Duke was also the founder of “Roomful of Blues” band.

The free 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.

Everyone is welcome to attend these family-friendly events.

In the event of rain, the concert will be moved indoors to the Shoreline Community Center at 39 Hartford Ave. in Sound View.

Letter to the Editor: First Selectmen Candidates Should Focus on Positive Future for Old Lyme, Not Negative Past

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To the Editor:

This November Old Lyme will be having a municipal election. Either the incumbent Bonnie Reemsnyder, a Democrat, will prevail, or Judith Read, a Republican, will become First Selectwoman.

I am a native born resident of Old Lyme, and have happy memories of spending summers riding my bike, having ice cream at James Pharmacy ( a dime bought you a generous scoop of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry), and listening to katydids.. Old Lyme is a special place where civility and responsible citizenship can still prevail, and change is slow and measured ever since it was established as a “plantation” in the 1665 Loving Parting agreement with Saybrook Colony.

In my opinion, civility and openness is needed more than ever in this forthcoming election. It troubles me when I hear sotto voce that Bonnie did nothing about possible train tracks running through the center of town, or cares nothing about our beach communities, or about improvements on Halls Road.  I have been at meetings convened by our First Selectwoman at which these serious matters were discussed. The 85 page report sent to the DOT attests to her hard work at getting qualified professionals to weigh in on a poorly conceived route for express train tracks.

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if we went back to the League of  Women Voters forums (remember them?) where the candidates outline specific plans for the Town, not what evil things the other candidate has done to destroy the Town. Perhaps we could get national news coverage which would be beamed directly to Capital Hill in Washington. Old Lyme could even set a trend for problem-solving. As my grandchildren might say “what a concept”.

Sincerely,

Alison C. Mitchell,
Old Lyme.

OS Library Hosts Ann Nyberg to Discuss Her Book on Katharine Hepburn, 11am Today

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OLD SAYBROOK — Ann Nyberg, author and Emmy nominated WTNH-TV anchor and reporter, hosts a conversation about her recently published book, “Remembering Katharine Hepburn: Stories of Wit and Wisdom About America’s Leading Lady” at Acton Public Library in Old Saybrook on Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m.

Nyberg is a founding member and the Vice President of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate) also in Old Saybrook.  Her book reflects the life of Miss Hepburn “through personal remembrances from the people whose lives she influenced.”

Nyberg’s zest and zeal for all things Connecticut and Kate will make this a captivating conversation.

Ann Nyberg

For more about Nyberg and her work, visit her popular website “Network Connecticut.”

This program is free and open to the public but registration is strongly recommended.

Nyberg will sign copies of “Remembering Katharine Hepburn,” which will be available for sale.