OLD LYME — On Monday evening at the Annual Town Meeting, Edie Twining was named Old Lyme’s 2022 ‘Citizen of the Year.’
We asked her how she felt about receiving the honor and she sent us this response:
“I was quite surprised to be given this award and I appreciate the recognition. Like many others in the town I am involved in several volunteer positions. If I join an organization it is because I believe in what they are doing and expect to assist in any way my particular skills will help.”
She continued. “Currently I am on the board of the OLLT, OLHSI, and chair the Halls Road Committee. I have redesigned and built three new websites, created logos, illustrated and produced materials for hand-outs and fundraising. As a designer I aim to raise the bar to produce high quality materials that aid in defining the organization’s values and purpose.”
She emphasized,, “I volunteer, not for recognition, but because I believe in what the organization is doing,” adding, “I’m impressed with how many things in Old Lyme are completely run by volunteers. Civic, cultural, and environmental entities have a presence here that further defines the town of Old Lyme. Each volunteer brings their special set of skills to these positions and is part of what keeps our town operational beyond the key town employee’s hard work.”
Twining stressed, “It is important to recognize how many people in Old Lyme give their time freely to our town,” concluding, “I am honored to join in the ranks of Old Lyme’s Citizens of the Year.”
LYME — Dr. David L. Lieberman Jr. Ph.D., better known as Leonard, 93, of Lyme, went home to be with the Lord Jan. 19, 2023, with his loving wife, Paula, at his bedside. He was born in November 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., …
He taught high school science at Nathan Hale High School in East Haddam, before becoming assistant principal at Valley Regional High School in Deep River …
Leonard was also the administrator at the family-owned Chesterfields Chronic and Convalescent Hospital in Chester, founder and builder of Chester Village West, an assisted living facility in Chester, and was involved in the daily operations at The Inn at Chester …
He is survived by his current wife Paula; and his former wife Lorraine Lincoln Lieberman, formerly of Middletown …
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the United Church of Chester, 29 West Main Street, with a graveside service to follow in the spring, date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lyme Ambulance Association, Inc., 213 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT 06371 or lymeambulance.org.
Pictured in the photo above are, from left to right, Jason Howell, Heather Bannister, Ariana Eaton, Jackie Alix and Dan Labriola.
LYME — On Monday evening, members of Lyme Ambulance and Lyme Fire Company turned out to train with a Life Star crew. The training exercise included the Life Star helicopter landing in a field at Tiffany Farm on Hamburg Rd., which is one of the specified landing zones in Lyme.
The fire and ambulance service members that participated in the exercise described it as, “A great night of training.”
The Life Star helicopter landed at the side of Hamburg Rd. in Lyme.
In operation for more than 35 years, Life Star is Harford Hospital’s critical care 24/7 air medical service.
Trained crews, including medical personnel flying out of Midstate Medical Center in Meriden and William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, transport more than 1,000 trauma and emergency patients each year. The crew consists of a flight nurse, flight respiratory therapist, pilot, mechanic, and communication specialist.
The LIFE STAR service operates two American American Eurocopter EC-145. Both can travel at 155 miles per hour and either can be airborne within minutes of a request for service.
Given the life-or-death nature of their mission, Life Star helicopters have air space priority over virtually every other plane in Connecticut.
Edie Twining, second from right, was named Old Lyme’s 2022 Citizen of the Year at tonight’s Annual Town Meeting. She stands in this photo with the Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold (second from left) and Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (left) and Selectman Matt Ward (right.) Photo by C. Poirier.
OLD LYME — At Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting held in Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall, Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold enthusiastically declared, “We are excited to announce that Old Lyme’s Citizen of the Year for 2022 is the very talented Edie Twining. Edie is passionate about Old Lyme, its history, and its sense of place… and her local involvement speaks to that.”
He continued, “Edie is very active serving the Town of Old Lyme in various capacities. Having served on the Economic Development Commission and now as the Chair of the Halls Road Improvement Committee, Edie has worked tirelessly to develop the Halls Road Overlay District that, if approved, will allow property owners along Halls Road greater flexibility to develop their properties. The Committee is also planning to rebuild the Bow Bridge, a pedestrian bridge over the Lieutenant River which was part of the artistic heritage of Old Lyme. On the Town’s Economic Development Commission Edie worked toward creating new opportunities for existing Old Lyme businesses and our future businesses.”
Griswold added, “Members of the Old Lyme Land Trust are pleased that Edie is on their Board. She has been a long-time steward of the Lohmann-Buck-Twining Preserve and Co-Chair of the Trust’s Outreach Committee. She is often seen maintaining trails on Trust properties and she recently led the effort to design and construct benches for the enjoyment of hikers.”
Holding her just-received bouquet, Edie Twining acknowledges being named Old Lyme’s 2022 Citizen of the Year. Photo by M. Dickey.
The citation announcing Twining’s honor then stated, “Edie brings to everything she does a keen eye for design. As an example, her hand drawn illustrations for the Old Lyme Historical Society’s Walking Tour of Lyme Street brochure continues to delight local residents and history buffs alike. As a Board member of the Society, she also volunteers to seasonally refresh the Society’s display cases – in the Post Office, in Town Hall and in the Society’s building at 55 Lyme Street.
Edie has lent her talents to the Old Lyme Arts District, produced marketing materials for the annual Make Music Old Lyme event and helped create the Explore Old Lyme.com web site.”
Griswold concluded, “On behalf of the people of Old Lyme, the members of the Board of Selectmen offer their hearty congratulations to Edie Twining on being designated the Old Lyme Citizen of the Year for 2022.”
Others added words of support in the proclamation.
Cheryl Poirier, Chair of Old Lyme’s Economic Development Commission and of the Old Lyme Arts District, commented, “I am delighted Edie Twining is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to the Old Lyme community. Edie and I have collaborated on many efforts including the EDC, the Halls Road Improvement Committee, the Old Lyme Arts District, as well as the marketing materials for Make Music Old Lyme, and most recently, the creation of Explore Old Lyme.com.”
She continued, ” Edie is passionate about Old Lyme, its history, and its continued sense of place. Edie brings to everything she does a keen eye for design, which is reflected in the many things she has created, including the Historical Society’s Walking Tour of Lyme Street brochure. Her hand-drawn illustrations and easy to use fold-out brochure continue to delight local residents and history-buff visitors alike.”
Poirier noted, “As the Chair of the Halls Road Improvement Committee, and as past commissioner on the Economic Development Commission, Edie has spent countless volunteer hours collaborating to ensure Old Lyme continues to meet the needs of today’s residents while creating new opportunities for our future businesses. One of the great things about volunteering in Old Lyme is that you make wonderful friends along the way. I am proud to say that Edie and I not only challenge each other’s thinking on our many projects, but she is also my friend. Well done, Edie Twining!”
Another photo of Old Lyme’s 2022 Citizen of the Year Edie Twining (second from right) standing with the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen. Photo by K. Balocca.
Howard Margules, who served as Co-Chair with Twining on the Halls Road Improvement Committee, said, “Grit, tenacity, smarts, no nonsense common sense, responsible, capable, integrity, caring these are the essence of my friend, Edie Twining. I have worked with Edie for over a decade on both the Economic Development Commission and Halls Road Improvement Committee, and I am always amazed at her dedication and sense of purpose.”
He added, “Edie’s connection to Old Lyme goes back, way back. Her father played a leadership role in the economic development of Old Lyme in the 1950s and they share that same sense of purpose. Both on a mission to improve, enhance and secure the future of Old Lyme. Edie is not one for seeking the limelight, and I can see her squirming when she receives this award; It is unexpected, but certainly well earned. I applaud the town for recognizing her numerous contributions.”
Sabine O’Donnell and Lea Harty, who are member of the Old Lyme Land Trust Board, were gracious in their praise of Twining’s contributions to the trust saying, “The Old Lyme Land Trust Board is very fortunate that Edie has chosen to join its ranks. For the past four years, Edie has worked tirelessly to bring insights to board discussions on how the Trust can coordinate its mission and projects with other town organizations to benefit Old Lyme and its citizens.”
They said, “Edie is a longtime steward of the Lohmann-Buck-Twining preserve and co-chairs the Trust’s Outreach Committee. She enjoys rolling up her sleeves to join other volunteers to maintain the many trails on Trust preserves and, among her many initiatives, recently came up with a bench design and then organized a bench building party at her home that had three generations of local families involved in a fun activity. Edie’s many creative talents are also on display whenever new signs or brochures are needed, and she also maintains the Trust’s informative website.”
O’Donnell and Harty concluded emphatically, “We believe Edie’s designation as Volunteer of the Year of the Town of Old Lyme is very much deserved.”
Michele Dickey, who has edited the Old Lyme Town Report for 30 years, was honored on her retirement during Monday evening’s Annual Town Meeting. Photos by C. Poirier.
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Town Report has been edited by the same person for 30 years, but the report approved by residents at Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting was her final one.
Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold read a citation commending Dickey’s major contribution to the production of the Town Report over 30 years.
Michele Dickey — a lifelong resident of the town, whose family has lived in Old Lyme for generations — retired from her editor’s role and, on Monday night, the town honored her extended service with both words and flowers.
The 2021-22 Town Report includes images of all the reports she has edited on the cover this year.
The 2021-22 Town Report is in some ways a tribute to Dickey’s 30 years of service since the outside cover includes images of all the reports she has edited.
Griswold brought a stack of reports, all of which Dickey had edited, to offer a visual demonstration of the sheer size of her work during the previous 30 years. He noted how “impressive” her work has been with ’30 consecutive Town Reports from fiscal year 1993 to 2022.”
Griswold drew chuckles from the audience when he commented, “I worked with her on 18 of them …”
Old Lyme Board of Finance Chairman David Kelsey (at podium) opened the congratulations for retiring Town Report Editor Michele Dickey. He praised Dickey’s excellent work over all 30 years.
Griswold then remarked that Dickey had created themes for all but five reports and commented that there were, “some notable ones.”
He singled out the ones Dickey produced in the following years: 1995, when it was the Equestrian Special Olympics in Old Lyme; 1998, which was the 75th anniversary of the Old Lyme Fire Department; 2007 covered the OL Town Hall expansion; 2013 focused on the big blizzard of that year and also Hurricane Sandy; 2017 celebrated the defeat of the proposed Amtrak rail line through the town; 2020 saw an inevitable theme of COVID, and 2021 explored the tree swallow murmuration.
Meeting Moderator Vicki Lanier sits behind the stack of town reports edited by Michele Dickey over 30 years.
Griswold pointed out that, “The Editor’s job is very detailed – listing all newly elected appointed officials in Town with their correct terms of tenure, all Town employees, and all marriages and deaths in the Town. He emphasized though that, “The most challenging aspect of the task is getting 52 or more officials to write their annual articles for their agencies each year,” adding, “And last but not least, formatting everything for the printer and proofreading it all.”
Old Lyme Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker presents Michele Dickey with a bouquet of flowers to celebrate her retirement.
After Dickey had received hugs and been presented with flowers, she received a lengthy, well-deserved standing ovation.
When the celebrations were over, we asked Dickey how she felt about receiving such a touching acknowledgement of her multiple years of service. She wrote in an email, “My thanks to several administrations of the Town of Old Lyme, town hall personnel, and many boards of finance for this extended opportunity. I have worked with and gotten to know through hardcopy in a town-hall mailbox and more recently via email many people, whom I have never met in person.”
She continued, “There have been great conversations and many kindnesses!”
Dickey concluded, “But the fact that the town report must be finalized right around the Christmas holidays is always tough, no matter how hard I try to plan ahead. I am looking forward to more free time in the coming years and being able to spend much of it with our two grandchildren — who fortunately live right down the road!”
