Monthly Archives: December 2018

Letter to the Editor: Needleman’s New Year’s Resolution is to be 33rd District’s ‘Common Sense Advocate’

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To the Editor:

The holiday season is a time when we enjoy good cheer and look forward to the promise of a bright new year. It is a time when we resolve to do the things that didn’t get done in the old year, and fix the things that need fixing.  

For me, the coming year will be both demanding and promising. On January 9, I will be sworn in to represent the 33rd district in the State Senate, a responsibility that brings with it significant challenges and exciting new opportunities. That’s why my only resolution this year is to be the common sense advocate the towns in our district need and deserve. As your voice in the state senate, I will keep you posted on progress in addressing the issues that concern all of us.

Meanwhile, I hope we can all enjoy the festive spirit and good will that make the holiday season so enjoyable. I wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year. 

Sincerely,

Norm Needleman,
Essex

Editor’s Note: The author is the State Senator Elect for the 33rd District, which includes Lyme.

On Winter Solstice, Old Lyme Open Space Commission Reflects on 2018, Anticipates 2019

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On Friday, Dec. 21, at 5:23 p.m. EST to be exact, it was the Winter Solstice in Connecticut — the darkest day of the year, with just over nine hours of light.  

The year of 2018 started out dark for the Old Lyme Open Space Commission. Diana Atwood Johnson, who served as chair for nearly 20 years, passed away on Jan. 1, after a long illness.

After the Solstice, however, days start to become lighter, and nature resumes its cycle of renewal as spring approaches. In January, Amanda Blair and William Dunbar became the new Open Space Commission co-chairs, and every member pitched in. 

The first order of business was to continue the care of Old Lyme Open Space property.  A land steward was hired; members personally walked trails to survey conditions; a service was hired to remove unsafe trees and branches; safety plans were discussed with the town fire marshal; new signage and trail markers were added; a new parking area for Champlain North was created; and the commission reached out to the Old Lyme Land Trust to work on mutual projects.  

Renewed educational efforts were also made.  For the first time, the Commission staffed a booth at the Midsummer Festival; news releases were issued; and the Open Space Commission web site was updated.

Early in 2019, the Commission expects to have some very exciting news! And work on substantial projects will accelerate – boxes of documents and correspondence on open space will be categorized, and conservation easements reviewed, as an antecedent to the drafting of a new Open Space Plan.

The Commission’s message remains: “Take a Hike!”  Don’t let winter keep you inside.  The trails are now in great shape for hiking, and when covered by snow, they’ll still be fun to snowshoe or cross-country ski.  

As weather warms in the New Year, volunteers will be gratefully welcomed for trail assistance.

Old Lyme’s Goodman Takes 8th Place in Junior Olympics Race, Named All-American

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Taking place this year in Reno, Nev., the Junior Olympics attracts the fastest young people from all 50 states. Old Lyme resident Laila Goodman, who is in second grade at The Country School in Madison, took 8th overall out of the 168 female runners who qualified for the 8 & Under race. Goodman is pictured below with head of School John Fixx.

After the opening 400 meter uphill, Goodman was in 26th place and then steadily ran down her competition over the 2000-meter race course, sprinting hard at the end to defend her hard-fought position as a young 7 year old.

All-American status is achieved by finishing in the top 25 in the United States, and Goodman becomes the second Country School runner to gain that accolade, following in the footsteps of alumnus Robbie Cozean, who was a three-time All-American.

Goodman competed with three other Country School runners: Keve Frusztajer of Guilford, and brothers Connor and Sam Duffy of Madison.

With these four student-athletes qualifying for Nationals, Country School has now sent more runners over the last six years to the Connecticut Junior Olympics (92), the Region 1 Junior Olympics (79) and the National Junior Olympics (19) than any other school in Connecticut.

Ivoryton Playhouse to Hold Local Auditions, Jan. 11

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The Ivoryton Playhouse will be holding local auditions for Equity and non- Equity actors for Burt & Me a nostalgic, romantic musical comedy featuring the music of Hal David and Burt Bacharach, on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ivoryton Playhouse Rehearsal Studio, 22 Main Street in Centerbrook, Conn.

The theater is looking for seven smart, contemporary singer/actors who can dance and/or move well and have the ability to hold harmonies. Three women and four men – any ethnicity.

Directed and choreographed by Brian Feehan and musically directed by Michael Morris, the show runs from March 20 – April 7, 2019. The first rehearsal is March 5t.

All auditions are by appointment and actors should prepare contrasting songs in the style of Burt Bacharach that show range, sophistication and personality. Bring a picture and resume. More information is available on line at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org 

For audition appointments, call 860-767-9520, ext.207 or email lizzy@ivorytonplayhouse.org