Monthly Archives: August 2019

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Kick Off a New Year Today

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Veteran Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School math teacher Marc Vendetti welcomes students to his classroom during Monday’s Open House. All photos by Suzanne Thompson.

LYME-OLD LYME — Today is opening day for Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools!

An enthusiastic LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser told LymeLine.com, “We are excited about the opening of the 2019-2020 school year.  We look forward to welcoming new and familiar faces to all of our buildings.”

There were so many questions to ask during Open House at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.

All the schools were open yesterday for the students to meet their teachers and explore their new classrooms and, in some cases, new schools.

Thirty new hires start working with students at Lyme-Old Lyme Schools today. There are three new staff at Mile Creek School where principal Kelly Enoch takes up her tenure and seven at Lyme Consolidated. Meanwhile at the middle school, five new employees start work and six join the high school.

Monday was an opportunity to check out everything in the foyer at the middle school before the rigors of classroom learning begin.

Positions which stretch across grades include a Behavior Analyst, Pre-K – 8 Math Coach, School Nurse and a Campus Security official.

Smiling Mile Creek School students and alumni join the school’s Library Media Specialist Diana Marchese (third from right) for a group photo.

The all-new, universal Pre-K class for four-year-olds, which opens today at Center School, has taken on six new employees in a variety of capacities. Neviaser commented, “We are particularly excited to begin the new year with our expanded pre-K program and look forward to the joy that will bring to the many families who previously could not benefit from this excellent opportunity.”

Old Lyme Officer Recognized by Board of Selectmen for Quick Response

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Officer Jay Rankin was awarded a Certificate of recognition by the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen on Monday.

OLD LYME — Officer Jay Rankin received a Certificate of Recognition from the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen at their Aug. 19 meeting for his quick thinking, which resulted in the apprehension of four individuals, who had stolen a car from Massachusetts.

The suspects then drove to Old Lyme and stole a purse from a woman loading groceries into her car at Big Y on Halls Rd. They then drove off with the woman holding onto the mirror of the car, which resulted in her sustaining minor injuries.

Officer Rankin pursued the car into Lyme, and ultimately East Haddam, apprehending all four when they stopped for gas. The selectmen believed that had he not responded immediately, it is likely the fugitives would have succeeded in escaping justice.

After expressing her thanks to Officer Rankin, First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder commented, “It is because of Police Officers like you that Old Lyme continues to be a safe place for us all.”

Friends of Music, Music Now Foundation Host End of Summer Celebration Today in Old Lyme

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Jake Kulak and the Lowdown are the featured artists at Sunday’s Blues Beach Bash at White Sand Beach.

OLD LYME — MusicNow Foundation and Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Friends of Music host an Endless Summer Blues Beach Bash tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 25, at White Sand Beach in Old Lyme from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Jake Kulak and the Lowdown will be the featured performers along with special guest Sophia Griswold of Old Lyme.

Sophia Griswold of Old Lyme is the special guest at the End of Summer Celebration at White Sand Beach.

A donation of $10 per person is suggested. All proceeds will benefit music scholarships, programs and initiatives.

Bring blankets and picnics … and come enjoy!

Tickets on Sale for Gillette Castle State Park’s 100th Anniversary ‘Speakeasy Gala,’ Sept. 7

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Visit with William Gillette as portrayed by Harold Niver at the ‘Speakeasy Gala,’ Sept. 7.

HADLYME — The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park are hosting a 100th Anniversary Roaring 20’s-themed ‘Speakeasy Gala’ at Gillette Castle, Saturday Sept. 7, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of Gillette Castle’s construction.

Gillette Castle, where the Speakeasy Gala will be held Sept. 7.

The event will be held at the castle and its grounds located at 67 River Rd., East Haddam and run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Guests can stop by a “Speakeasy” for a wine tasting, courtesy of Staehly Farm & Winery. Afterwards, they can head up to the castle, which will be open for self-guided tours. Castle staff will be available to answer questions and give demonstrations.

While up at the castle, guests will be able to enjoy the musical stylings of flutist, Erin Vivero.

Back at the gala tent, they will toast the castle in celebration of its 100th year and enjoy high-end appetizers and hors d’oeuvres along with special Roaring 20’s themed cocktails.

Guests can then dance the night away to the music of the Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band. During the evening, a silent auction will take place with many great items.

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet William and Helen Gillette portrayed by Harold and Theodora Niver. Photography services for the event will be provided by Cherish the Moment Photography.

The details of the program are subject to change in the event of inclement weather. Wear your best Roaring 20’s costume, but plan to walk uneven ground between the parking lot and castle.

Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at https://www.gillettecastlefriends.org/event-registration-speakeasy-gala. Space is limited.

This milestone event is made possible with help from sponsors: Cherish the Moment Photography, Dutch Oil Co. Inc., Eastern Rental, Erin Vivero-Flute, Hadlyme Country Market, Northeast Printing Network LLC, Quicksilver Communication, Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band, and Staehly Farm and Winery.

Sponsorships are still available. Contact the Friends for details.

All proceeds from this event benefit The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park.

The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1998 that is dedicated to preserving the castle’s heritage. Membership information for the Friends of Gillette State Park will be available at the event.

For more information on the Friends of Gillette Castle, visit their website. Call Paul or Wendy at 860-222-7850 or email info@gillettecastlefriends.org with questions.

Old Lyme Historical Society Presents its 2019 Board of Trustees

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Board members of the Old Lyme Historical Society for the coming year gathered for a photo recently in the OLHS building on Lyme Street. Photo by James Meehan.

The Old Lyme Historical Society (OLHS) has announced its 2019-20 board of trustees. They are pictured in the photo above:

Back Row: John Pote, Nicholas Westbrook, Ross W. Higgins, Mark Lander, Jill Pilgrim, Mark Terwilliger, Mary Ellen Jewett, Cynthia Taylor, Michaelle Pearson, Robert DiNapoli and James Meehan.

Middle Row: Skip Beebe, Kevin Cole, Alison Mitchell, Sandra Joncus and Ted Freeman.

Front Row: Dawn McCarthy, Edith Twining, Ann Marie Jewett, Katie Balocca and Elaine Stiles.

Missing from photo: Tim Griswold, Matthew LaConti, Todd Machnik and Andi Williams.

The OLHS officers for the coming year are:

Co-Chairs
Michaelle Pearson and John Pote
Treasurer
Ann Marie Jewett
Recording Secretary
Katie Balocca
Corresponding Secretary
Cynthia Taylor