Monthly Archives: July 2023

Old Lyme Fire Dept., Police, Emergency Units Escort ‘9/11 Never Forget’ Mobile Exhibit Into Town

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The ‘9/11 Never Forget’ Mobile Exhibit into Old Lyme travels slowly up Lyme Street forming the centerpiece of yesterday’s parade.

OLD LYME — Yesterday, the Old Lyme Fire Department (OLFD) escorted the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit into Old Lyme and residents and visitors cheerfully turned out on Lyme Street to celebrate its arrival.

A huge flag was hung across Lyme St. to welcome the exhibit.

The 9/11 Never Forget trailer was escorted from the NY/CT state line on I-95 North by cruisers from Connecticut State Police-Troop F Westbrook. It then left I-95 at Exit 70, took Rte. 156 to Ferry Rd., and then onto Lyme St., finally turning into the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools campus.

The parade was ceremoniously led by an Old Lyme fire truck.

Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, Westbrook Fire, Essex Fire Engine Co. #1, Old Saybrook Fire Department, Lyme Fire Company, Old Lyme EMS, Flanders Fire Department, Niantic Fire, local classic car owners, and Riders of Fire CT1 all be joined the OLFD parade.

A great variety of emergency vehicles and more also followed the ‘9/11 Never Forget’ truck up Lyme St.

The 9/11 mobile exhibit is a tribute to all who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, including the 343 members of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) that made the ultimate sacrifice, and all who continue to lose their lives to 9/11-related illnesses. This high-tech, 83-ft. tractor-trailer, which transforms into an 1,100 square foot exhibit, is a tool to educate people across the country further about the events of that tragic day.

An Old Lyme Ambulance joined the long parade.

The trailer is curated by two retired FDNY firefighters, who have committed their time to the exhibit to educate the nation in remembrance of their fallen comrades. The OLFD is delighted to welcome them as their guests.

Standing almost under the flag hung to greet the ‘9/11 Never Forget’ truck, Cecilia Girasoli eagerly awaited its arrival.

The OLFD is honored to have the exhibit joining their 100th anniversary event. Visit this link to read all about the OLFD Centenary celebrations in Old Lyme TODAY Saturday, July 15.

A photographer records the exciting event.

Visit this link on Facebook to view the latest on the OLFD 100th Anniversary Event: https://fb.me/e/62TDmPfKG?mibextid=Gg3lNB

Visit this link to view more about the 9/11 Tunnel to Towers Trailer Info: https://t2t.org/9-11-institute/9-11-never-forget-mobile-exhibit/

John Mesham, Judith Read to Seek Republican Nominations for Old Lyme First Selectman, Selectman

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OLD LYME – Former Marine, law enforcement officer, and community advocate John Mesham has formally announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for First Selectman. 

Mesham, father of three, recently retired from a distinguished 29-year career in law enforcement in which he oversaw the daily operations at two of the largest state police barracks, managed police personnel in Old Lyme, developed community programs with municipal governments, and negotiated collective bargaining agreements.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Mesham was deployed as a Marine infantryman on the USS Iwo Jima and served at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Charter Oak State College.

In addition to managing police personnel in Old Lyme, Mesham, father of Owen, Anna, and Emily, served as a Scoutmaster for 10 years for Troop 26 Lyme & Old Lyme Boy Scouts. He has been married to his wife Nancy for 29 years. Mesham currently serves on the Inland Wetland and Watercourse Commission and was instrumental in the 36-1 Buttonball Committee recommendations to the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.

In conjunction with Mesham’s announcement, Judith Read, a dedicated public servant, has also announced her intention to seek the Republican nomination for Second Selectman. Read, a small business owner, has nearly two decades of experience serving on the Old Lyme Board of Finance. She also served one term on the Region 18 Board of Education. 

Mother of Megan Overdurff Read and Will (Sloan) Danenhower, Read has lived in Old Lyme for over 40 years, volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and as the Treasurer for the MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation. She currently is a business management consultant, with a specialization in business organization.

Read attended Central Connecticut State College where she studied Business Administration. She has been married to Sloan Danenhower for 40 years.

The prospective Mesham-Read team is focused on continuing fiscal responsibility, supporting Old Lyme senior citizens, maintaining excellence in Region 18 school system, and protecting the natural beauty of Old Lyme.

The Old Lyme Republican Town Committee will caucus on Tuesday, July 18, at 6 p.m. At that meeting, members will select the candidates they wish to endorse for the November 2023 election.

Editor’s Note: The article above is based on a press release issued this morning by the Mesham & Read 2023 campaign.

Vote Unanimous on Library Board’s Decision to Retain Two Books in Teen/Tween Collection, Despite Requests to Relocate Them; One Member Resigned in Advance

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OLD LYME — After the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Board of Trustees had issued a statement regarding their decision to retain two controversial books in the Library’s Teen/Tween collection, we asked Library Director Katie Huffman some follow-up questions.

Our first question was whether the vote had been unanimous. She responded by email saying, “The vote to keep the books in the library’s collections was unanimous, but please note that Tara Ward resigned from the board on Monday in advance of the meeting.”

Ward had signed a request by lead organizer Stephen Spooner and 134 additional residents of Lyme and Old Lyme that the library should “reconsider” its decision on Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan and its availability to children ages 11-19.

We also asked Huffman whether the three-hour meeting had been contentious. She told us, again by email, “The discussion about whether these 2 books complied with the policy and whether they should remain in the Teen/Tween room was straightforward and the decision was unanimous.”

She elaborated saying, “Much of the meeting was spent in discussion about where we go from here, especially about how we might better communicate with the public about our policies and selection process and how we might create more room for dialogue with parents and community members.”

Death Announced of David Michael Hickie, 56, of Old Lyme; Service to be Held Saturday in OL

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OLD LYME — David Michael Hickie, 56, of Old Lyme, passed away July 10, 2023. He was born Oct. 26, 1966. David was a beloved husband to Suzanne Wnek, and a loving father to Kate and Quinn. …

Dave was incredibly generous, kind, and gracious. Once you met him, you never forgot him. He genuinely cared about his children’s interests and encouraged them to live their life with kindness and curiosity. He often took an evening swim with his daughter Kate at their beloved White Sands Beach no matter the weather. Most recently Dave was able to share the experience of his son Quinn’s first legal pint of Guinness in Ireland …

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you perform an act of kindness in Dave’s memory. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes and directions …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published by The Day on Jul. 13, 2023.

After Group of Residents Requests Removal of Two Titles From Teen/Tween Collection, Old Lyme-PGN Library Board Determines Books Should Stay

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OLD LYME — At their meeting held Tuesday evening, the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Board of Trustees determined that the two books, which have recently been the subject of heated debate in both Lyme and Old Lyme, should be retained in the Library’s Teen/Tween collection.

The Library had received a request signed by lead organizer Stephen Spooner and 134 additional residents of Lyme and Old Lyme that the library should “reconsider” its decision on Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan and its availability to children ages 11-19.

The Library had previously received a similar request to reconsider the inclusion of You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth in Teen/Tween collection.

A petition was also submitted to the Library signed by over 400 urging the Library to “reject the requests of the censorship supporters in their entirety.”

Following the meeting, Library Director Katie Huffman issued a statement on behalf of the board of trustees, which stated, “After careful consideration, the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Board of Trustees has determined that the books [mentioned above] meet the selection criteria as stated in The  Library’s Collection Development Policy for inclusion in the Library’s Teen/Tween collection.”  

The board’s statement continues, “In regards to these books, The Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons.”

It then notes, “The Board has affirmed its policy that selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval  or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in the policy. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no material  will be sequestered, except to protect it from injury or theft.”

The board’s statement continues, “Young people must be middle school age to visit the Library unaccompanied. Parents should assume unaccompanied youth have full access to the Library and all its collections – including  the adult collections. Limiting access to content is the responsibility of the parent.”

It then advises parents and caregivers, “If you feel you need to accompany your child to the library or any particular collection, we welcome and encourage your presence.”

The statement concludes emphatically with the words, “The Board of Trustees fully supports each member of its staff and condemns wholeheartedly the inappropriate and unwarranted censure of professionals we believe are doing their jobs with the  utmost professionalism.”