Monthly Archives: September 2018

The Day, Eastern Chamber to Host Series of State Senate Candidate Debates

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The Day and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut are hosting a series of debates for candidates running for state senate. Those relevant to our coverage area are as follows:

  • The 20th Senate District debate will be held Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Charter Oak Credit Union headquarters, Waterford, and features incumbent state Sen. Paul Formica (R), who is running for a second term, and challenger Martha Marx (D). The district includes Old Lyme.
  • The 33rd Senate District debate will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, at Old Saybrook High School and features state Rep. Melissa H. Ziobron, (R-34th) and Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman, (D). Incumbent state Sen. Art Linares is not seeking re-election in the 33rd Senate District. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to be nominated as the Republican candidate for state treasurer.  The district includes Lyme.

Both debates start at 7 p.m. and are open to the public.  Admission is free.

Visit this link  on the day.com for more information about all the debates.

Black Bear Kills Sheep in Lyme, Residents Warned to Take Precautions; DEEP Notes Black Bears Rarely Aggressive to Humans

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Photo of the black bear seen Friday in Hadlyme. Photo by J. Bjornberg.

During the daytime hours on Friday, Emily Bjornberg, who lives on Brush Hill Rd. in Hadlyme, reports that her husband came upon a black bear attacking and subsequently killing a sheep on their property.  The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has been informed and is monitoring the situation.

The DEEP stresses that black bears only occasionally will prey on small mammals, deer, and livestock. DEEP notes on their website that black bears are omnivorous and, “they eat grasses, forbs, fruits, nuts, and berries. They also will seek insects (particularly ants and bees), scavenge carrion, and raid bird feeders and garbage cans.”

Additional important advice from the DEEP regarding black bears is as follows:

–Never feed bears
-Remove bird feeders if a bear visits them
-Add a few capfuls of ammonia to your trash bags as the smell is a deterrent
-Thoroughly clean grills after use
-Do not leave pet food outside overnight
-Do not add meats or sweets to compost

If you see a bear:
–View from a safe distance and leave an escape route for the bear – do not corner him
-Make noise and wave your arms
-Stand your ground and slowly back away – do not run or climb a tree – try to go into a car or building
–Black Bears are rarely aggressive towards humans. They should be respected, not feared.

For more information on black bears, visit this link.

Today’s ‘Cruise, Blues & Brews’ Festival Features Top CT Blues Bands, Benefits ‘At-Risk Boys’ 

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Cruise Blues & Brews was started in 2015 and has operated as a fund raiser to support the At Risk Boys Fund.  Each year this event contributes thousands of dollars to the fund which uses 100% of the proceeds to support non-profits in Middlesex County.  The At Risk Boys fund has been operating since 2013.

Giving away over $60,000, it supports grass-root, local initiatives who work to help the at-risk boys in our communities.  The festival is a fun and exciting event that has generated a lot of buzz in the community.

Each year hundreds of families and car and music enthusiasts come out to enjoy the festival.  There is something for everybody with upscale food vendors, retail items and stores, cars, cars, and cars, all while listening to some of the best Blues bands in Connecticut.

Up-scale food trucks provide the top food choices for the festival.  With choices from home-style barbecue to fish and chips, you will never go hungry at this festival.

Craft Beer is provided by Thimble Island Brewery, one of the festival sponsors.  You can enjoy cars, food, and music that will make your day at this festival one to round out your summer.

Another reason to attend is the Vendor Marketplace.  Only hand-picked vendors are allowed to make your selection diverse and interesting.

Kids will enjoy the festival, as well, with their own Kids Zone complete with free face painting and fun and games for all kids.

And there’s more … prizes, games, and surprises make this a festival not to miss.

All proceeds of the event are raised on behalf of the At-Risk Boys Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County

The 4th Annual Cruise Blues & Brews Festival, will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date, Sunday, Oct. 1), at the Chester Fair Grounds. Admission: $5 donation, children under 12 free. To learn more about this Festival, buy tickets in advance or make a donation to the At-Risk Boys Fund of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, visit:  www.atriskboysfund.org . Tickets may also be purchased at the gate during the Festival.
Photos courtesy of Caryn B. Davis Photography www.carynbdavis.com

Needleman, Ziobron to Participate in Senate 33rd District Debate at Bacon Academy, Oct. 16

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State Senate 33rd Democratic candidate Norm Needleman.

State Senate 33rd District Republican candidate Melissa Ziobron.

The Bacon Academy Young Democrats, Colchester Young Republicans, and the Bacon Academy Debate Club will host the first debate for candidates vying to represent the Connecticut State Senate 33rd District, which includes Lyme. T

he debate will take place Tuesday, Oct. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Bacon Academy in Colchester, Conn. Admission is free and all are welcome.

From 6:30 to 7 p.m., there will be a meet-and-greet with State Representative candidates in the auditorium lobby. 

From 7 to 8 p.m., the debate will take place in the auditorium with Democratic candidate Norm Needleman, who is currently First Selectman of Essex, and Republican candidate State Rep. Melissa Ziobron, who represents the 34th Connecticut House District.  Incumbent Senator Art Linares (R) is not seeking re-election.

The Senate 33rd District includes Lyme along with Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

All candidates for the 33rd District State Senate race are welcome to participate in the debate as long as they have filed paperwork to be on the ballot with the Secretary of the State’s office by Oct. 1.

For further information, email mkeho399@colchesterct.org. 

Duck River Garden Club Kicks Off New Season This Evening with Plant Exchange, Guest Speaker; All Welcome

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Kathy Connolly of Speaking of Landscapes, LLC presents at Duck River Garden Club, Tuesday. Photo provided by Kathy Connolly.

Duck River Garden Club hosts its first meeting of the 2018-19 season tomorrow evening, Tuesday, Sept. 25, starting at 6:15 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.

The format for the evening will be as follows:

6:15 p.m. – Annual members’ tailgate plant exchange in the parking lot
6:30 p.m. – Social reception in town hall meeting room foyer
7 p.m. – “Ten Trends & Ideas that Landscape Professionals Wished Home Gardeners Knew” presented by guest speaker Kathy Connolly, who is a local landscape designer, writer and speaker
8 p.m. – Business meeting for members, including induction of new members

The club’s programs are open to the public at no additional cost.  Guests are welcome to come get to know club members and to enjoy the horticultural information provided.