Monthly Archives: August 2021

Aug. 16 COVID-19 Update: One New Case in Each Town; Old Lyme’s Cumulative Total Rises to 365, Lyme’s to 114; State Reports Highest Positivity Rate Since April

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Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash.

LYME/OLD LYME — The Daily Data Report issued Monday, Aug. 16, by the Connecticut Department of Health shows that both Lyme and Old Lyme have reported one new, confirmed COVID-19 case each since its previous report on Friday, Aug. 13.

This takes Old Lyme’s cumulative total of confirmed cases to 365 and Lyme’s cumulative total to 114.

Alex Putterman states in an article published yesterday afternoon, Aug. 16, in the Hartford Courant, “Connecticut on Monday reported its highest COVID-19 positivity rate since April, along with another increase in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, as the delta variant continues to have a dramatic effect in the state.”

Fatalities Due to COVID-19 in Lyme, Old Lyme

There is no change in the number of fatalities reported in either Lyme (0) or Old Lyme (3).

The first two fatalities from Old Lyme, which were reported in 2020, were a 61-year-old female and an 82-year-old male. Details of the third, which was reported in 2021, have not been made available.

Visit this link for our Aug. 12 update, which includes statewide data.

Tonight, Lyme Library Presents Local, Best-Selling Author David Handler Discussing His Latest ‘Hoagy’ Novel via Zoom

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David Handler

LYME — On Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. Lyme Public Library hosts a Zoom presentation by David Handler on his latest novel titled, The Man Who Wasn’t All There.

This most recent installment of his Edgar Award-winning Stewart Hoag mystery series, set in 1990s’ New York, sees the ghostwriter-sleuth and his faithful basset hound Lulu inadvertently make a dangerous enemy.

Set in Lyme and Old Lyme in the 1990s, The Man Who Wasn’t All There will transport you to local landmarks like Joshuatown Rd, Lyme Public Library and the Old Lyme-PGN Library through the eyes of celebrity-ghostwriter ‘Hoagy’ and his faithful basset hound Lulu, as they set about solving a double murder.

‘Hoagy’ and Lulu firmly believed they had come to an idyllic Connecticut farmhouse for a few days’ rest and relaxation but nothing could have been further from the truth.

Soon they unwittingly find themselves caught up in a strange, complex mystery …

Email programreg@lymepl.org to register for this program.

Handler has written 12 novels about the witty and dapper celebrity ghostwriter Stewart Hoag and his basset hound, and is also the author of the Berger & Mitry and the Benji Golden mystery series.

This Afternoon, Volunteer to ‘Paddle & Pull’ in Lyme’s Whalebone Cove to Help Eradicate Invasive Water Chestnut

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A volunteer gathers invasive water chestnut in her canoe on a previous ‘Paddle & Pull.’

LYME — A very large patch of invasive European water chestnut was discovered last week in a remote location in Whalebone Cove in Lyme that can only be reached by canoe or kayak at high tide.

On Sunday, Aug. 15, the Friends of Whalebone Cove (FOWC) are organizing a ‘Paddle & Pull’ volunteer work party to remove the water chestnut starting at 3:30 p.m. Anyone who has a kayak, canoe or boat is welcome to join the work party. Bring a water bottle, life jacket/PFD and sun block.

The Paddle & Pull will last about two hours. Meet at the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry Boat Launch (east shore),  Ferry Rd. (Rte. 148), Lyme, CT 06371.

Invasive European water chestnut is spreading in Whalebone Cove.

In the past several years, FOWC has managed to control the spread of European water chestnut in Whalebone Cove and seeks to prevent it from becoming established, because if that should happen, it will change the Cove’s ecology and destroy its natural habitat eco-systems on which species that live in the area rely to survive.

This invasive creates a canopy on the water surface that crowds out native plants and destroys habitat for turtles, fish, birds and other animals. It decreases the oxygen in the water that fish need to survive. Its rosettes cover entire coves and ponds impeding fishing, hunting, swimming and boating, while also killing native plants that birds and marine wildlife need for survival.

Once established, European water chestnut is difficult to control. It can, however, be eradicated and prevented from spreading by removing plants before they have a chance to drop their seeds, which usually starts in late August.

This type of water chestnut has invaded and taken over many other locations in the Connecticut River.

There will be additional “paddle & pull” work parties scheduled later in the summer.

For more details, email fowchadlyme@gmail.com or call/text 518-253-4844

‘Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years’ Opens at Ivoryton Playhouse

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‘Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years’ is currently being performed at The Ivoryton Playhouse.

IVORYTON – The extraordinary and life-affirming play Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years by Emily Mann (adapted from the book by Sarah L. Delany and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth) opened Aug. 12, at The Ivoryton Playhouse.

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel, Having Our Say takes us into the trail-blazing worlds of Sadie and Bessie Delany, two real-life, civil rights pioneers. Their warm, funny, and intelligent tale is a remarkable and moving portrait of two groundbreaking women, who continue to laugh, love, and embrace life after over 100 years living side-by-side.

This Tony-nominated play begins as sisters, Sadie and Bessie (103- and 101-years-old, respectively), welcome us into their Mount Vernon home while they prepare a celebratory dinner in remembrance of their father’s birthday. Along the way they take us on a remarkable journey through the last 100 years of our nation’s history.

From post-Civil War Reconstruction through the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, their sharp memories recapture the worlds of Booker T. Washington, Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Paul Robeson.

A scene from ‘Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years.’

Throughout their respective life journeys, Sadie and Bessie broke barriers of color and race becoming a respected dentist and a New York City schoolteacher at a time when America held high the potential for change and growth. Their extraordinary and inspiring lives are examples in courage and love that stand as monumental contributions to our nation’s heritage.

This poignant and touching family drama stars Catherine Williams* as Sadie and Hope Harley* as Bessie. And the Delany Sisters’ influence is not lost on them, evidenced by Harley commenting, “Much like their contemporary, Anna James, of the James Pharmacy here in Connecticut, they serve as role models even today.” Or as Williams states simply, “I am very humbled to play the role.”

The play is directed by Ivoryton Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director Todd Underwood with set design by Martin Marchitto; costumes by Elizabeth Saylor; lighting by Marcus Abbott; and sound by Tate R. Burmeister.

Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years runs through Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

The safety of its audience is the theater’s primary concern. Its capacity has been socially-distanced so that there are now only 140 seats in the theatre for the audience’s comfort and protection.

Tickets are $55 for adults, $50 for seniors, $25 for students and avalable by calling the Playhouse box office at 860.767.7318. Tickets are not available online.

Visit the Playhouse’s website for more information. (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.)

The Playhouse is located at 103 Main St. in Ivoryton.

*Denotes member of Actors Equity

Today, Saint Ann’s in Old Lyme Hosts ‘A Tailgate Party’ with DJ Potts; All Welcome

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OLD LYME — On Saturday, Aug. 14, Live@SaintAnn’s presents A Tailgate Party with DJ Potts from 5 to 8 p.m. DJ Potts is back by popular demand.

Bring your own supper and dancing shoes. Enjoy a picnic and music in the parking lot.

This event is free and open to the public. Bring a friend to share the music and fun.

Live@SaintAnn’s is a concert series of Saint Ann’s dedicated to bringing music of all kinds to the local community and welcoming that community to their campus.

Saint Ann’s is an Episcopal parish in Old Lyme, Conn., where the Provisional Priest-in-Charge, Reverend Dr. Anita Louise Schell, will welcome all visitors to this family-friendly event.

Saint Ann’s is located at 82 Shore Road (Rte. 156), two miles off I-95, Exit 70. Parking is adjacent to the church.

For more information, visit Saint Ann’s online at www.saintannsoldlyme.org.