Monthly Archives: April 2022

Death Announced of Captain Richard W. “Dick” Krom, USN Retired, of Old Lyme; Founded Malta, Inc. to Help the Homeless in SE CT

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OLD LYME — Captain Richard W. “Dick” Krom, USN retired, 78, formerly of Niantic died at his home in Old Lyme Feb. 11, 2022 …

Upon Retirement, Dick focused on helping others. He was coordinator of the Care and Share Soup Kitchen in Groton for 20 years. In 1999, Dick founded Malta, Inc. to help those who are homeless in Southeastern Connecticut. He served as its President for 20 years.

Dick leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Pamela (Cline) Krom; and three children, Laura (Michael) Michaud, Kyle (Maureen) Krom, and Kevin (Ilene) Krom …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published April 17, in The Day.

April 21 COVID-19 Update: More Than Half of CT Towns Back in Red Zone, Including Lyme, Old Lyme; Three New Cases in Lyme Raise Cumulative Total to 268, Two in OL Take Total to 1085

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This map, updated April 21, 2022 shows the average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 by town during the past two weeks. Both Lyme and Old Lyme are now in the Red (highest) Zone. One hundred ad eight towns (representing a total of 63.9% of the state) are now found in the Red Zone. Only cases among persons living in community settings are included in this map; the map does not include cases among people who reside in nursing home, assisted living, or correctional facilities. Map: Ver 12.1.2020 Source: CT Department of Public Health Get the data Created with Datawrapper.

LYME/OLD LYME — The Daily Data Report issued Thursday, April 21, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) shows two new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Old Lyme and three in Lyme.

This case raises Old Lyme’s cumulative case total to 1085 and Lyme’s to 268.

Statewide Situation – Weekly Update

On Thursday, April 21, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) released its latest weekly COVID-19 Alert Map (pictured above), which indicates that 108 municipalities are now in the Red (highest of four) Zone for case rates. These towns in the Red Zone include both Lyme and Old Lyme.

This number has increased by 54 from the 54 towns recorded in the Red Zone last week, thus doubling the number of towns in the Red Zone.

Although this total of Red Zone towns reflects a dramatic increase over last week’s number, it still shows a reduction in the number of Red Zone towns since  Jan. 27, when the total was 168 out of 169 towns.

This April 21 total of 108 towns in the Red Zone means more than half of the towns in the state are now in the Red Zone. The number of 108 is equivalent to 63.9% of towns in the state, which are in the Red Zone.

As of April 21, 2022 eight out of the nine towns in the Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) are in the Red Zone, with North Stonington being in the Orange (second highest) Zone.

East Lyme, Groton, Lyme, Old Lyme, Waterford, New London, Ledyard and Stonington are all in the Red Zone.

No towns are in the Yellow (second from lowest) or Gray (lowest) Zones.

The LLHD is no longer issuing reports with updated Case Rates and other metrics.

The CT DPH will issue an updated map of the zones Thursday, April 28 — the map is updated weekly on Thursdays.

The color-coded zones are:

Red: Indicates case rates over the last two weeks of greater than 15 per 100,000 population
Orange: Indicates case rates between 10 to 14 cases per 100,000 population
Yellow: Indicates case rates between 5 and 9 per 100,000 population
Gray: Indicates case rates lower than five per 100,000 population

More on the Local Situation – Daily Update

April 5, 2022 was the most recent day on which no new cases were reported in either town.

Prior to March 25, Lyme had gone for 23 consecutive days with no new cases being reported. Two new cases were reported in Lyme on March 25.

Prior to April 5, the most recent day on which no new cases were reported in either Lyme or Old Lyme was March 24. There were also no new cases on March 9 and 4, and Feb. 24. The previous date prior to Feb. 24 when no new cases were reported in either town was Dec. 12, 2021.

Statewide Situation – Daily Update

The state’s COVID-19 Daily Positivity Rate fell from 7.68% on Wednesday, April 20, to 7.6% on April 21.

Yesterday’s rate of 7.68% was the state’s highest recorded COVID-19 Daily Positivity Rate since Feb. 1, 2022 when the Rate stood at 8.68%.

On April 21, the number of COVID-related hospitalizations increased to 176 from 165 on April 20.

In contrast, on Jan. 12, 2022, the number of COVID-related hospitalizations was 1,939.

Of those hospitalized on April 21, the number not fully vaccinated was 58 (representing 32.95%).

The total number of COVID-related deaths in Connecticut rose to 10,826 on April 21, from 10,825 on April 20, according to The New York Times.

The next Daily Data Report will be issued by CT DPH Friday, April 22, around 4 p.m.

Increase in Cases in Lyme & Old Lyme Since August 2021

The cumulative total of confirmed cases for Old Lyme has now increased by 642 since Wednesday, Nov. 10, when the total stood at 443 — that number had stood unchanged for a week since the previous Thursday, Nov. 4.

On Aug. 26 — which was the day Lyme-Old Lyme Schools started the new academic year — Old Lyme’s cumulative case total stood at 372, meaning there have now been 713 new cases there since that date.

Meanwhile, Lyme’s cumulative total on Aug. 26 was 114 indicating 154 new cases have also been confirmed there during the same period.

Ledge Light Health District Update

The LLHD is no longer issuing weekly updates unless there is, “any significant change in case rates, hospitalizations, etc.”

On April 14, LLHD sent LymeLine.com this press release issued by CT DPH the same day. It begins: With the current uptick of COVID-19 cases—coupled with the upcoming schedule of spring holidays and family gatherings—the Connecticut Department of Public Health is reminding residents of the tools currently in place to help contain the spread of the virus. 

In an email sent Thursday, March 24, regarding the latest COVID-19 data, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) Director of Health Stephen Mansfield stated, “In New London County, residents are advised to:

LLHD continues to focus its vaccination efforts on homebound populations and providing initial vaccinations and boosters to individuals who were vaccinated previously. Information about vaccination opportunities can be found at https://llhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19-situation/covid-19-vaccine/.”

An explanation of the new CDC Community Levels tool by Thomas Gotowka can be found at this link.

COVID testing opportunities can be found at COVID-19 Testing | Ledge Light Health District (llhd.org)

The following link provides centralized access to Connecticut COVID data: https://data.ct.gov/stories/s/COVID-19-data/wa3g-tfvc/

Fatalities Due to COVID-19 in Lyme, Old Lyme

There has been one COVID-related fatality of a Lyme resident: a 57-year-old male passed away Nov. 16, 2021. On Nov. 30, the state finally included this fatality in its data

Four COVID-related fatalities have now been reported in Old Lyme. 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 and fourth fatalities, which were reported respectively in 2021 and on Feb. 4, 2022, have not been made available.

COVID-19 Situation in LOL Schools

Under new state protocols for schools, Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools are no longer required to carry out contact tracing.

LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser explained the latest developments in LOL Schools COVID protocols in an April 1 email to the school community, saying, “As noted in my email of February 17, 2022, beginning April 1, 2022 we will no longer report daily COVID-19 cases in the schools.”

He then stated, “For the remainder of this school year, that information will be complied on a weekly basis and will be available on our website at the following link: https://www.region18.org/parents/covid-data.”

For a summary of cases in LOL Schools between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2022, visit this link.

View a full listing of cases between 8/26/21 – 12/23/21 at this link.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Name Allison Hine as New Principal of Lyme School

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The new principal of Lyme Consolidated School is Allison Hine.

OLD LYME — The Lyme-Old Lyme Schools is pleased to announce that Allison Hine has been named principal of Lyme Consolidated School and will begin her position July 1, 2022.

Hine, a resident of Old Lyme, is currently the principal of Brownstone Intermediate School in Portland, Conn. She replaces Jim Cavalieri, who is retiring after 44 years in education, 20 of those as principal of Lyme Consolidated School.

Hine has more than 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and administrator. In addition to her work at Brownstone Intermediate School, she has served as the assistant principal and as social studies curriculum coordinator for the Stonington (CT) Public Schools.

She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher for the Old Saybrook Schools.

Hine has previously served on the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Board of Education and has been an active volunteer with Lymes’ Youth Services Bureau and numerous other community organizations.

“We are pleased to have Mrs. Hine join us in her new role as Principal of Lyme Consolidated School. Mrs. Hine’s dedication and passion for our schools stood out during the interview process. Her extensive elementary school experience will allow her to continue to support the strong programming at Lyme School,” commented Ian Neviaser, Superintendent of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

The selection process began in February and yielded more than 40 applicants. A selection committee comprised of over 25 people conducted several rounds of interviews as well as a site visit.

A community forum and survey were also conducted as part of the selection process. Teachers, staff members, parents, and community members were asked to rank the characteristics of a leader they deemed most important, as well as provide responses to a series of questions.

Lyme-Old Lyme MS Principal Ambruso Named CT Middle School Principal of the Year

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Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Principal Mark Ambruso has been named Connecticut’s MS Principal of the Year.

OLD LYME — Mark Ambruso, principal of Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, has been named the 2022 Connecticut Middle School Principal of the Year.

Nominated by numerous colleagues, Ambruso is known for his leadership and authenticity. He is credited for fostering a positive, safe and fun middle school environment for all students.

Mark Ambruso

“Mark develops strong relationships with every student in our building,” says Renee Molnar, a guidance counselor at the school. “He goes out of his way to get to know something about everyone he meets. He makes you feel welcome and cared for and you leave any interaction with him feeling energized and motivated.”

Sponsored annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the recognition is designed to spotlight the achievements of individual school leaders and at the same time increase public awareness of the critical role that principals play in the education of our youth.

The program honors those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, a passion for educational excellence, a commitment to their students and staff, and service to their communities.

Ambruso joined Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School in July of 2017 from Windham Technical High School where he was principal. Ambruso previously served as the principal, and before that the assistant principal, at Bacon Academy and as a science teacher and coach at Norwich Free Academy.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. This would not be possible without the collective commitment and exemplary efforts of my colleague and Assistant Principal, Noah Ventola, and Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School’s faculty and staff.  Most importantly, I’d like to thank our wonderful families and amazing students.

The success of our middle school and district is a testament to the support and direction of our Superintendent, Central Office, and Board of Education. I’d like to also thank my wife and children for supporting me and sharing in my career.”

Editor’s Note: We send hearty congratulations to Mark on gaining this well-deserved honor.

Nationally Renowned Guest Artists Lead Painting Workshops at Lyme Academy

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Lyme Academy hosts artist Patrick Okrasinski for an intensive workshop, the Principles of Landscape Painting in May. Image courtesy of the artist.

OLD LYME — Lyme Academy of Fine Arts hosts four comprehensive painting workshops in April, May and June.

These workshops offer students an opportunity to work closely with nationally-renowned guest artists for a concentrated and intensive period of time. Students will gain technical experience and insight into the diverse perspectives and methodologies of figurative and representational art.

The workshops are as follows:
April 22-24.: Painting the Still Life
May 16-20 and May 23-27, Mon-Fri: Principles of Landscape Painting
May 20-22: Sustained Observation
June 1-15: Rose Painting

Todd Casey, The Shamrock, 2015. Oil on linen, 30 by 22 inches. Image courtesy of the artist.

‘Painting the Still Life’ will be led by Todd Casey and runs Friday through Sunday, April 22-24. Register at this link.

Guided instruction held in the inspiring studios of the Lyme Academy will address composition, drawing, light, color theory, form, depth, edges, and how to introduce narrative elements into a painting based on the direct and focused observation of selected objects.

“Casey’s work is both realistic and progressive, carefully observed and inherently narrative. Every painting has a tale to tell, brewed from a deep well of introspective thought,” says co-artistic director, Jordan Sokol, who curates the guest artists hired to conduct the comprehensive art workshops at the Academy.

‘Principles of Landscape Painting’ is an intensive two-week workshop running Monday through Friday for two weeks, May 16-20 and May 23-27.

This workshop is presented by Patrick Okrasinski, a former student of Artistic Directors Jordan Sokol and Amaya Gurpide. Artists will visit multiple local plein air venues of historical significance in Old Lyme, while learning the foundations of successful plein air landscape painting in a picturesque setting.

Guided instruction will address theories of value, mass, composition, representing light and color, optical effects encountered outdoors, perspective, and more.

Edmond Praybe will lead ‘Sustained Observation’, a three-day still life workshop, May 20-22.

Known for his focus on the convergence of perception and abstraction, Praybe will discuss the role of change and time when painting. He will guide students in how to set up a still life, to look for color and value relationships, and to examine the abstract structure that can be created paintings.

The fourth painting workshop ‘Rose Painting’ will be presented by internationally-recognized, award-winning botanical painter Kathleen Speranza, June 1-15.

Sperenza’s paintings are known for exploring the visual language of space, light, color and form as it relates to specific subjects from nature. This workshop is intended for experienced painters, who wish to study the complex geometry and exquisite subtle colors of garden roses.

The course will include an indirect method of painting and the introduction of a specific limited palette.

Detailed registration information and workshop costs can be located on the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts website at www.lymeacademy.edu.

Founded in 1976 by the sculptor Elisabeth Gordon Chandler, the Academy was created as an institution dedicated to a traditional, skills-based education.

In 2021, Lyme Academy, a non-profit educational organization, returned to its founding roots to offer foundational skills in the fine arts; providing a curriculum which combines rigorous studio instruction in drawing and painting with anatomy, sculpture, and the history of art.

The Academy affirms its legacy and commitment to the community of Old Lyme by providing a vibrant schedule of lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and part-time programs.

Located midway between Boston and New York, Old Lyme, Conn. has been a site of artistic congregation for over a century, becoming the heart of the Lyme Art Colony and the Home of American Impressionism.

Learn more by visiting www.lymeacademy.edu.