Monthly Archives: November 2017

Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber Hosts Business Breakfast This Morning to Discuss Halls Rd. Improvements

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Join members of the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce at their next Business Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Old Lyme Town Hall Meeting Room. A continental breakfast will be served.  All are welcome. Admission is free.

The Halls Road Improvement Committee will present an update on their progress and provide examples of projects that have transformed Main Streets in other Connecticut communities. Attendees will be asked to share their thoughts and ideas about what improvements are most important for Halls Road and the community of Old Lyme.

New members can join the Chamber and current members can renew at the meeting. Annual membership is still only $50, payable to Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce.

Questions? Contact Chamber President Olwen Logan at editor@lymeline.com

Old Lyme Historical Society’s 2018 ‘Now and Then’ Calendar Makes Perfect Holiday Gift

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The Old Lyme Historical Society (OLHS) will be celebrating the release of the new 2018 Now & Then Old Lyme Community Calendar at a free public reception Thursday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the OLHS building at 55 Lyme Street, Old Lyme.  The calendar, along with other publications, will be for sale at the event. All are welcome to attend: wine, beer and light refreshments will be served and a door prize will also be awarded.

There will be a weaving demonstration, exhibition and sale by the Connecticut Handweavers Guild.

This is the fifth year that the OLHS has published this popular calendar that incorporates a different set of photographs from the organization’s archives, again juxtaposing the historical images with contemporary ones of the same scene.  The images included in the calendar are a small sampling of the many interesting archived photographs of Old Lyme establishments,  landscapes, and scenes dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century.

Each calendar month is generously sponsored by a different community organization and includes the dates of their events throughout the year.  The intent is to highlight and assist in marketing activities occurring in Old Lyme in 2018 as well as remembering the past.

The Sponsors of the 2018 Now & Then Community Calendar are: the Town of Old Lyme, Speirs Plumbing, PGN Library, Lyme Art Association, Carousel Shop, Black Hall Grille, First Congregational Church, Bee & Thistle Inn, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Florence Griswold Museum, Cooley Gallery and the Old Lyme Historical Society.

The 2018 Now & Then Old Lyme Community Calendar was designed by James Meehan and edited by Alison Mitchell.  Michaelle Pearson was the copy-editor.

The mission of the OLHS is to “collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history” of Old Lyme.  To find out more about the OLHS and its interesting activities, explore their website at www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org or stop by its office at 55 Lyme St..

Reemsnyder, Nosal Re-elected; Kerr Takes Third Spot on Old Lyme Board of Selectmen,

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Incumbent Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder and Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal hug after both were announced respectively as the top two vote-getters in the board of selectmen race.  Both therefore retain their seats.

Democrat Bonnie Reemsnyder swept to a fourth term as Old Lyme Selectwoman with a convincing 1,520 votes over her Republican opponent Judith Read, who polled 1,248 votes. Noting, “It was quite a race,” Reemsnyder commented, “We had a formidable campaign, [against a] formidable opponent. I would not take her [Read’s] candidacy lightly.”

Incumbent selectwoman, fellow Democrat Mary Jo Nosal, received the second highest number of votes with 1,478 while Republican Chris Kerr took 1,266 votes. Since Kerr received more votes than Read, he will take the third spot on the board of selectmen vacated by selectman Arthur “Skip” Sibley, who chose not to run again.  Reemsnyder spoke highly of Kerr saying that since he has served on the board of finance for many years, “He’s familiar with what’s going on.”  Nosal added, “I’m looking forward to working with Chris.”

A smiling Bonnie Reemsnyder celebrates her election to a fourth term as Old Lyme First Selectwoman with BJ Bernblum (right) who was also re-elected to the board of finance. Chris Kerr (rear, left) was elected to the board of selectmen and becomes its newest member.

Having stood outside the polling station since 5:30 a.m., an exhausted Reemsnyder was clearly pleased with the result declaring, “I am very excited — I’m delighted to be continuing to serve Old Lyme.”

Similarly, Nosal summed up her feelings in one word, “Exhilarated. “She added, “I’m very happy.  We had a fabulous team that worked so hard.”  Finally, Nosal expressed thanks to, “All the voters who came out to support us,” while also noting, “Judy ran an excellent race.”

Mattson Re-elected as Democrat First Selectman in Lyme Joined by Newcomer Kiker; Lord Also Re-elected, Wayland Loses Seat

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Steven Mattson

After learning the results of today’s municipal election, Lyme First Selectman Steven Mattson, who received 553 votes, and newly elected Selectman John Kiker (435 votes) issued the following statement:

“We would like to thank the people of the Town of Lyme for electing us to the board of selectmen.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to serve you and work on your behalf for the next two years.

“We look forward to working with Parker Lord (507 votes) on the board of selectmen to:

  • recruit good, experienced townspeople to serve on town boards, commissions and committees, and train them to help lead our town into the future;
  • strengthen our town’s communications on important news, issues and decisions, and explain how residents can take advantage of available opportunities to voice their support or concerns; and
  • ensure important town decisions include a thorough explanation of applicable regulations and residents’ concerns.

“We want to thank all of the many volunteers who helped out – including our peers on the Lyme Democratic Town Committee – for an excellent job running our campaign and encouraging residents to turn out to vote. 

“We were delighted to learn that Lyme voters chose Jeannine Lewis as their choice for District 33 Probate Judge – and eagerly await the final election results for our district.

“We love this town and want to help keep it the way it is – beautiful, historic and sparsely developed.  We look forward to contributing meaningfully to its future.  Thank you.”

Republican First Selectman candidate Mark Wayland received 398 votes.

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 fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyme Town Hall (barring holidays or other necessary schedule changes). These meetings are open to the public and all registered Democrats are encouraged to attend.

Country School Runners Enjoy Record-Breaking Season

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From left to right are Kayla Uzwiak, 8th Grader from Killingworth; Ryan Wei, 8th Grader from East Lyme; and Conor Selfor, 8th Grader from Old Saybrook.

MADISON — While local public high school cross country teams have been building toward their championship races, The Country School’s cross country team has been quietly compiling a season record for the girls of 33 wins and only one loss and 35 wins and four losses for the boys. This is the best record for cross country at the PreSchool-8th Grade Madison independent school since it began offering the sport 20 years ago.

The team competes this Saturday in the Connecticut Middle School State Championships at Wickham Park in East Hartford. Many student-athletes are also looking forward to the Junior Olympics cross country state championship, set to take place on November 12. In years past, dozens of Country School athletes have gone on to qualify for Regional Junior Olympics Championships, with several going on to Nationals, including one, Robbie Cozean of Madison, now a sophomore at Xavier High School, who earned All America status three times and finished 2nd in the United States.

The Country School serves 214 students between the ages of 3 and 14, and with only eight boys and seven girls running cross country, its Middle School teams are typically the smallest teams competing in any race. Head of School John Fixx attributes the success of their athletes to many factors, among them, dedication. The team holds optional practices two or more times a week throughout the year during the off-season, including the summer, while practicing five and even six days a week during the fall cross country season. Inevitably, the entire team shows up, with younger running enthusiasts, and even some parents, opting to join in.

Seen here in action are, from left to right, Christopher Yuh, Madison; Gabriel Goodwin, Old Lyme; Liam Boone, Clinton, and Sam Duffy, Madison.

Another factor is school culture. At The Country School, running is regarded as an activity that is fun, inclusive, and open to all ages. The program begins as early as Kindergarten, when interested runners join a group known as the Flying Owlets, a nod to the school’s mascot, an owl. More than 35 students participate in Flying Owlets, with practices taking place a few times a week. They also have opportunities to compete in road races, Junior Olympics, and other venues. As older students and younger students train alongside each other, more seasoned runners are able to model teamwork and persistence for younger runners. It is not unusual to have a 6-year-old 1st Grader running alongside and listening to a 13-year-old 8th Grader talk about the effort it takes to run repeat 200s or a “ladder” workout on the track.

With a history of strong cross country and excellent academics, the school also has the advantage of attracting strong students who are also strong runners. This year, for example, Conor and Margaux Selfors joined the school, entering 8th and 7th Grades respectively. The siblings, from Old Saybrook, have placed at or near the top in multiple races this fall, adding depth and leadership to the team.

The talent on the team is also homegrown. Eighth Grade co-captain Ryan Wei from East Lyme, a top place finisher in several races this year, has attended The Country School for several years, rising up through the running ladder, and Robbie Cozean, the school’s most successful runner ever, began in PreKindergarten. In addition to his successes at The Country School and at Junior Olympics National, Robbie was named All-Courant Cross Country Runner of the Year as a freshman at Xavier.

In addition to Robbie at Xavier, several Country School runners have gone on to compete at the high school level, making their mark at Choate Rosemary Hall, Pomfret, Westminster, Guilford High School, Daniel Hand, Hamden Hall, St. Paul’s, Cheshire Academy, and Avon Old Farms.

Training so many runners, and working with such a wide age span of athletes, requires many coaches, and The Country School is fortunate to have a team of experienced runners and educators leading the effort. In addition to Head of School Fixx, a former cross country and track captain of Greenwich High School and Wesleyan University who founded the Country School cross country team with Jordan Katz, a former student, 20 years ago, the team benefits from the likes of Laura Morrison. A recent and very fast graduate of SUNY Fredonia who now runs for Southern Connecticut State University, where she is attending graduate school during the evenings, Laura oversees The Country School’s after-school program and also coordinating TEDxTheCountrySchool. Spanish teacher Blair Balchunas, a frequent road racer and half marathoner, is another inspiring member of the coaching staff. Organizational genius and great rapport with runners all ages comes from Beth Coyne, Country School Dean of Student Life and Secondary School Counselor.

Founded in 1955, The Country School is an independent, coeducational day school serving students from across the Shoreline. In addition to a rigorous academic program that seeks to educate the whole child through active, hands-on learning, The Country School is committed to vital offerings in the arts and athletics. Athletic contests are played on the school’s new, state-of-the-art outdoor complex, featuring two full-sized athletic fields, four tennis courts, a basketball court, and the cross country course through the woods that flank the 23-acre campus. The campus is a frequent host for athletic events, including a recent nine-school cross country meet. Although the student body is small in number, The Country School has a long tradition of athletic and academic excellence. This year alone, more than 20 Country School alumni are competing on teams at colleges across the country, including Amherst, Bates, Bryant, College of Charleston, Columbia, Dickinson, Fairfield, Hamilton, Harvard, Kenyon, Middlebury, Northeastern, Northwestern, Princeton, St. Lawrence, Union, the University of Rhode Island, and Villanova. Learn more at www.thecountryschool.org.