Monthly Archives: January 2020

Potapaug Presents Talk in Old Lyme on Canoeing the Allagash This Evening; All Welcome

Posted on by
Reply

OLD LYME — On Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., Potapaug Audubon offers its fifth presentation of the season titled, “Discovering the Allagash”: A Canoeing Guide to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, North Maine Woods,” in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme St., Old Lyme.

This talk will be presented by Jeff Sims, who will focus on this area as a wildlife preserve who has enjoyed endless opportunities to experience nature unencumbered by humanity.

Sims is the author of a book with the same title as the presentation. This book is the ultimate guide to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) because it covers every aspect of the canoeing/camping experience from the skilled eyes of a seasoned camper, accomplished canoeist and dedicated Eagle Scout.

It includes maps based on the map/brochure issued by Maines Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry with permission from the AWW Superintendent. There are over 100 color photos, suggestions of what to bring, where to park, where to put-in and take-out, as well as brief summaries of what to expect at different campsites.

It is also a study of contrasts, as the author describes: quiet serene lakes; charging bull moose; terrifying intense winds creating three-foot waves; rainbows over calm water; embedded history of lumbering; spelunking in the Ice Caves; hiking nature trails with beautiful vistas; starring up at the Northern Lights; surviving the white water of Chase Rapids; falling asleep exhausted to the call of a loon, the babbling of a brook or the roar of a waterfall, and so much more.

The AWW is an extremely remote, nature sanctuary that has won the author’s heart. He hopes the guidance and advice in his book will allow others to canoe this wilderness paradise with confidence and insight, as they are reminded of Henry David Thoreau’s quote, “… in wildness is the preservation of the world.”

All are welcome. Come early to the meeting for cheese, crackers and cider, and catch-up conversations.

For more information, visit http://www.potapaugaudubon.com

To read a review of Sims’s book, visit https://www.awwf.org/good-read-new-book-documents-18-trips-on-the-allagash

Old Lyme Girls Pull Off Confident Win at H-K

Posted on by
Reply

LYME/OLD LYME — On Tuesday, Don Bugbee’s girls traveled to Haddam-Killingworth and came away with a strong 46-32 victory. Leading scorer Sam Gray notched an impressive 19 points with eight rebounds while Emily DeRoehn added nine points with nine rebounds and five steals.

Coach Bugbee commented, “It was a solid team performance overall with offensive and defensive contributions from all players.”

The team’s current record is 5-2 in the Shoreline Conference.

On Friday, Old Lyme meets Amistad at home and next Tuesday, Jan. 14, they face East Hampton, also at home.

Legal News You Can Use: What Happens When You Suffer From Chemical Burns?

Posted on by
Reply

Chemical burns are a real problem in some workplaces. Whether you’re working in a chemistry lab or teach at a local university, you could be exposed to chemicals that could leave your skin burned and damaged.

Chemical burns can be caused by some common chemicals found in schools, homes and workplaces. For example, common products that sometimes cause chemical burns include:

  • Ammonia
  • Denture cleaners
  • Chlorine
  • Bleach
  • Battery acid

What are some symptoms of chemical burns?

Symptoms of chemical burns include:

  • Irritation or redness in the affected area
  • Loss of vision if the eyes came into contact with the chemicals
  • Numbness
  • Dead or blackened skin

If swallowed, some symptoms that might occur include:

  • Headaches
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Seizures
  • Dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle twitches

If you believe that you’ve suffered a chemical burn or that you’ve ingested chemicals at work, it’s important to call 911 or get to the hospital quickly. Your health care provider will then make a diagnosis based on your condition.

Chemical burns can affect the epidermis, resulting in superficial burns with a high likelihood of recovery. They can also cause burns that go into the dermis, which is a second-degree burn. Third-degree, or full-thickness burns, are when the subcutaneous tissues are involved.

Chemical burns must be treated as quickly as possible. The chemical needs to be removed from the skin or body in whatever way possible. Usually, the skin must be rinsed for 10 to 20 minutes with running water.

If you suffer a chemical burn at work, remember that your workers’ compensation coverage should cover your medical care and other losses.

Sponsored Post on behalf of Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law.

Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center Hosts Plethora of New Programs in New Year

Posted on by
Reply

OLD LYME — The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) has announced an extensive range of new programs for the early months of 2020 as follows:

BUDDING NATURALISTS

Wednesday, Jan. 8 , 10-11am
Theme: A Long Winter’s Nap – Animal Hibernation
RTP Estuary Center, Old Lyme

Start their love of nature early. Join us for this parent/caregiver and child nature class designed for children who are 3 to 5 years old. Activities will encourage discovery, explorations, and expression through stories, hands-on activities, and art.  Adult is free with child participant.

$15 members; $20 non-members. Register here

OWL PROWLS

Tuesdays January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, and Monday, February 17, 5:30 pm
Old Lyme

Perhaps no other group of birds harbor as much mystery and intrigue as owls. As we’re heading to sleep they are just starting their day. These nocturnal hunters are perfectly adapted to life in darkness, from their silent flight to their unique eyes and ears. Join us at the newest and largest Old Lyme Land Trust property as we search for the incredible birds, and learn about what makes them such perfect nighttime fliers. Bring a headlamp or flashlight (preferably one with a red light setting) and binoculars, and bundle up! Appropriate for ages 10 and up. *Limit of 12 participants per program*

$5 for members, $10 for non-members

Tuesday, January 14 – Register
Tuesday, January 21 – Register
Tuesday, January 28 – Register

Tuesday, February 4 – Register
Tuesday, February 11 – Register
Monday, February 17 – Register

WINTER WATERFOWL WALK

Greater Scaup, male in foreground.

Saturday, Jan. 18, 9 – 10:30 am
Griswold Point, Old Lyme

As the lakes and ponds of the northeast freeze over, many species of waterfowl head to the coast, to open water. Sea ducks, Loons, Grebes and more call the coast of Connecticut home during the winter. The mouth of the Connecticut River, on Long Island Sound, is the perfect place to spot these winter species gathering just offshore. Bring your binoculars, and layer up! We will provide a spotting scope, an essential piece of equipment for waterfowl watching.

$5 for members, $10 for non-members, register here

MLK DAY VACATION PROGRAM WITH THE RTP ESTUARY CENTER

MLK Day Vacation Program with the RTP Estuary Center
Monday, Jan. 20; 9am – 4pm
Lyme Youth Services Bureau, Old Lyme

Explore the natural world of winter with the RTP Estuary Center! Outdoor explorations, hands-on science experiments, games, and creative activities are in store!  Winter attire required. Program is for ages 6 – 11. Each child should bring a water bottle and a nut free snack and lunch. Registration is required.

$40 members, $50 non-members. Registration is required. Register here

MURAL REVEAL

Thursday, Jan. 30, 5 pm
RTP Estuary Center, Old Lyme

Join us for the grand unveiling of our new CT River Estuary mural! This volunteer collaborated acrylic mural depicts our local estuary plants and animals at both the micro and macroscopic levels. You’ll also be able to see inside our ever changing and improving center and meet one-on-one with the teacher-naturalists and artists of the mural. Learn about the different styles that each of the artists brought to this collaborative piece and their background as budding or established artists. This event is free.

Register here

WHOO WANTS TO LEARN ABOUT OWLS?

Whooo Wants to Learn about Owls?
Saturday, Jan. 25; 10:30 – 11:30 am and 1-2 pm
Saturday, March 7; 10:30-11:30 and 1-2 pm
RTP Estuary Center, Old Lyme

Join us for an hour with an owl! Our teacher-naturalists will be presenting Cookie, the barred owl while we learn about this local species up close including where and when they nest, what they sound like and ways you can help ensure a healthy population of barred owls in CT! We will also be examining real owl feathers, dissecting owl pellets, and identifying mammal bones. $15 members, $25 non-member, $10 for children 10 and under

Saturday, Jan. 25 10:30-11:30am – Register
Saturday, Jan. 25 1:00-2:00pm – Register

Saturday, March 7 10:30-11:30am – Register
Saturday, March 7 1:00-2:00pm – Register

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

Photo by Brian Bennett

INFO SESSION
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6:30-7:30pm
RTP Estuary Center, Old Lyme

Thursday, Feb. 13, 6 – 7 pm
Wild Birds Unlimited, Niantic

FIELD SESSION
Sunday, Feb. 16, 9 – 11 a.m.
Connecticut College Arboretum, New London

Since 1998, people all over the world have participated in the first citizen science project to collect wild bird data, the Great Backyard Bird Count! Join us at the RTP Estuary Center for an informational session about the history and background of the count, as well as how to conduct your own Great Backyard Bird Count! On Sunday, February 16 come practice your skills in the field at the Connecticut College Arboretum in New London, a designated important bird area. Whether you are a seasoned birder or a novice, this is a great opportunity to learn how to identify and count birds in the wild, and be a part of a worldwide citizen project.
This program is free, but we ask that you register.

Register for the RTPEC Info Session here

Register for the Wild Birds Unlimited Info Session at 860-739-7302 or at wbuniantic@sbcglobal.net

Register for Field Session here

FAMILY WINTER WALK

Feb. 22, 9-10:30am
Watch Rock Preserve, Old Lyme

Shake off your cabin fever, head outside and join one of our teacher-naturalists for a winter walk. We will look for tracks, listen for birds and enjoy the beauty of the woods in winter. Keep warm by trying to complete our winter scavenger hunt!

$5 members, $10 non-members, children 6 and under free, register here

Lyme-Old Lyme HS Graduate, Now Playwright, Emily Zemba Launches Kickstarter to Fund New Play in NYC

Posted on by
Reply

LYME/OLD LYME — If you’re an aspiring playwright, actually writing a play can be the relatively easy part but finding the funding to produce your play can be a major challenge.

Emily Zemba

Emily Zemba, a 2006 graduate from Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS), is trying a highly original approach to generate some seed money to bring her latest play to life on the stage.

She explained to LymeLine, “I have recently joined forces with two other amazing female writers to form The Pool — and our mission is to “take on the soul of America in rep” with our highly theatrical plays.” Along with fellow playwrights Kate Cortesi and Brenda Withers, Zemba has launched a Kickstarter campaign, which is aiming to raise $6,000 by next Saturday, Jan. 11, to cover the initial costs of putting on their respective plays in the fall of 2020 at the New Ohio Theatre in New York City’s West Village.

Asked about her play, Zemba says, “It is titled Superstitions, and is an absurd, dark comedy that links superstitions to cultural terrors and a collective national anxiety. I know, I know, anxiety is a riot! But I promise that the play is just as fun and ridiculous as it is unsettling. ” She notes that the play was nominated for 2018 Venturous Playwright Fellowship, and also that she has already received a grant from The Artists Patron Fund in support of this production.

After her graduation from LOLHS, Zemba attended Sarah Lawrence College and then went onto Yale University, where she obtained an MFA from the School of Drama in May 2015. Zemba’s parents are former Old Lyme Selectman Kurt Zemba and Catherine Frank, who retired from the position of Exceutive Assistant to Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder in October 2019.

Zemba notes that in addition to the Kickstarter, there will continue to be ways to donate directly through their website. Also, donations of $1,000 or more will be fully tax-deductible if made through their fiscal sponsor: New Georges (simply make the check out to New Georges with The Pool 2020 listed in the memo line.)

But the immediate challenge is to raise $6,000 by Jan. 11. At the time of writing, $4,597 has been raised so these young playwrights are close to the finish line. The Kickstarter page states: “We may still be about 10 months out from production, but there are several up-front costs which need immediate attention, for example:

  • The New Ohio requires a down payment a year out.
  • We have hired a PR Rep who will help launch our marketing campaign and assist with project visibility.
  • The directors who will helm our productions need contracts sooner rather than later, before their schedules get any busier.
  • We are hiring a creative producer to oversee and coordinate the myriad pieces of this ambitious undertaking.”

If you wish to donate to support these playwrights and help bring their plays to the stage, visit the Kickstarter page for The Pool at this link where there is more information about the project.