Monthly Archives: September 2021

Benn to Present Latest Billy Boyle Novel in Zoom Presentation Hosted This Evening by Lyme Library

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LYME — On Thursday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m., Lyme Public Library will host critically-acclaimed local author Jim Benn, who will talk in a presentation via Zoom about his latest novel, Road of Bones.

This is the 16th novel in Benn’s popular World War II mystery series, in which the main character is Billy Boyle.

Road of Bones sees Boyle sent to the heart of the USSR to solve a double-murder at a critical turning point in the war.

In its description of the book, Amazon.com states, “It’s September 1944, and the US is poised to launch Operation Frantic, a shuttle bombing mission to be conducted by American aircraft based in Great Britain, southern Italy, and three Soviet airfields in the Ukraine.

Tensions are already high between the American and Russian allies when two intelligence agents—one Soviet, one American—are found dead at Poltava, one of the Ukrainian bases. Billy is brought in to investigate, and this time he’s paired, at the insistence of the Soviets, with a KGB agent who has his own political and personal agenda.

In the course of an investigation that quickly spirals out of control, Billy is aided by the Night Witches, a daring regiment of young Soviet women flying at night at very low altitudes, bombing hundreds of German installations.

It’s a turning point in the war, and allied efforts hang by a thread. Unless Billy and his KGB partner can solve the murders in an atmosphere of mutual distrust, Operation Frantic is doomed.”

Jim Benn

Road of Bones has received numerous outstanding reviews include this Starred one from Booklist: “Benn’s ability to sustain his terrific premise while adding depth to his characters makes this long-running series a must for those who love WWII crime fiction.”

Another Starred Review came from Publishers Weekly: “Exhilarating…Bolstered by vivid, scintillating descriptions of air strikes and dogfights involving the legendary all-female Soviet air force unit known as the Night Witches, Benn’s high-intensity storytelling shines.”

Kirkus Reviews had this to say, “A World War II supersleuth, deprived of his usual backup, unravels a tangled web of criminality in Russia . . . Benn’s well-crafted series deepens with every installment.”

Visit this link to register for the event and receive the Zoom details. Contact Theresa Conley at  860-434-2272 with any questions.

Musical Masterworks Announces Season Starting Oct. 23 in Person; Arron Stepping Down as Artistic Director, Lark to Replace Him

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Musical Masterworks Artistic Director Edward Arron is stepping down at the end of the 2021-22 season. Photo by Hak-Soo Kim.

OLD LYME — Musical Masterworks (MM) will be back in person this fall for their 31st season with an array of professional chamber music concerts programmed by Artistic Director Edward Arron. The concerts will take place in MM’s traditional home at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.

Alden Rockwell Murphy, who serves as MM Board President, comments, “It will be wonderful to be back in community, where we can experience the joy of sharing this music together.”

The MM Digital Brochure provides details about the upcoming season, which is filled with performances by Masterworks veterans, as well as some exciting debut performances. The first concert will take place Saturday, Oct. 23.

This season Edward Arron’s final season as Artistic Director will be celebrated. He says in the MM brochure that he feels, in order to allow for fresh ideas for Musical Masterworks, it is time for him to step down.

Violinist Tessa Lark will replace Edward Arron as MM Artistic Director for the 2022-23 season.

Arron has chosen violinist Tessa Lark as his successor. Lark will serve as Artistic Director Designate this season; she will be performing at and co-hosting four out of the five MM concerts.

Regarding COVID-19 safety protocols in respect of the reopening, MM, together with the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, will be monitoring and adhering to CDC and CT guidance throughout the season. Musical Masterworks will be in touch via email prior to each concert to ensure that you are aware of current attendance guidelines so you can safely enjoy their performances.

Musical Masterworks commits to continue to be vigilant in making the health and safety of their musicians, audience and staff a priority as the (hopeful) return to normalcy continues.

Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club Welcomes New, Current Members at Meeting Tonight

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LYME/OLD LYME —The Lyme-Old Lyme Junior Women’s Club (LOLJWC), which has a pending name change to Valley Shore Women’s Club, has been meeting to schedule both fundraising and community service activities.

This Thursday, Sept. 23, the club is holding a General Meeting at High Nine Brewing in Deep River. All members and potential members are welcome.

Founded as a 501(c)3 in 1965, the LOLJWC is open to all women over the age of 18 in Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester and Ivoryton.

The primary mission of the club is to offer community service to each town as well as fundraise to provide scholarships for high school students. The club is always seeking additional ways to make a positive difference in its respective communities. 

Seeking Members

The club is seeking new members. Participation can be flexible based upon individual availability. General members meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. For more information on how to join, visit the LOLJWC website.

Upcoming events – “in the works”

LOLJWC is planning a number of events which are listed below. For up-to-date information, follow LOLJWC on Facebook at this link.

September:

  • 23, at 7 p.m. General Meeting, 
  • 26, at 1 p.m. Road Side Trash Pick-up meet at Quality Inn, Old Saybrook

October:

  • 21, at 7 p.m. General Meeting
  • 30 or 31– Community Pumpkin carving – to be determined
  • Enter a Scarecrow in Essex Annual Scarecrow Contest

November:

  • 14, – Participant at High Hopes Craft Fair Old Lyme
  • 18 at 7 p.m. General meeting create holiday cards for the elderly  
  • 26, – Green Friday, planting bulbs at Cross Lane Playground

Death Announced of Jeanette Frances Jowdy, Mother of Valerie Chapman of Old Lyme

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Jeanette Jowdy

BOZRAH — Jeanette Frances Jowdy, 94, surrounded by her family, left us peacefully Sept. 17, 2021, to continue on her spiritual journey to her eternal home to be with our Lord.

She was predeceased by Albert P. Jowdy Sr., her beloved husband, who left us in 1981; and she was the daughter of the late Joseph Socha Sr. and Victoria (Trella) Socha.

Jeanette, who was a lifelong resident of Bozrah, thoroughly enjoyed her life as a homemaker as well as taking care of her family. She was a communicant of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Norwich. She was a generous and giving person. Cooking, baking, reading, listening to country music, and watching both the boys and girls Husky basketball games were some of her favorite pastimes.

While Albert was alive, she was a member of the Ledyard Squares square dancing group and she spent many hours dancing and meeting many wonderful people. She also liked to attend Bozrah Democratic Town Committee meetings.

She is survived by her brother Leon (Deborah) Socha of Wilmington, N.C.; and sisters, Martha (Leo) Laliberte of Ojai, Calif., and Rita Grubbs (Vernon) of W. Va.

She is also survived by her three children, Catherine Driscoll of Waterford, Michael Jowdy of Bozrah, and Valerie Chapman and her husband Lawrence of Old Lyme. She was “Grammy” to Jacqueline Driscoll of Royal Oak, Mich., Caitlin Silverstein and her husband Brett of Arvada, Colo., Shannon and Jennifer Chapman of Old Lyme, and Daniel Chapman of San Diego, Calif.

She also had many nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband Albert, she was predeceased by her brothers, Chester and Joseph Jr. (Anne) Socha; and a sister Edna (Raymond) Drozynski. In addition, she was predeceased by her sons, Albert Jr. and Paul Jowdy and son-in-law James Driscoll.

The family would like to thank Jeanette’s “Angel” Susan Alfieri, who was there for her when she really needed her and who always made sure she had plenty of delicious food. The family would also like to thank Amber, her short-term caregiver in her final months.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at the Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Avenue, Norwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 181 Elizabeth Street, Norwich, with burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, 815 Boswell Avenue, Norwich. Family and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Church or to St. Vincent de Paul Place, 120 Cliff Street, Norwich.