HARTFORD – State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), whose district includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, has again achieved a perfect score for votes taken on the floor of the House of Representatives during the 2023 legislative session. He previously recorded 100 percent voting attendance in the years 2015 through 2020, only missing votes in 2021 and 2022 due to COVID-19.
Each year, the House Clerk’s Office releases data on members’ votes during the Regular Session and Rep. Carney was present for all 368 votes taken during that time, one of 68 lawmakers to receive a perfect score.
“It’s been my honor to represent the people of the 23rd District for the past several years,” commented Rep. Carney, adding, “I was proud to make every vote in person in 2023 and ensure that my constituents had a voice on the 368 votes that were taken.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by Public Affairs, House Republican Office.
Both locals and visitors shop at the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe, which is closing at the end of this month. File photo.
Author’s Note: I recently spoke with Angie Reale, the owner of the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe, by phone and she graciously answered my questions for more than an hour. We chatted at length about her time at the Shoppe and her previous employment at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, where she and I first met back in 2007.
OLD LYME – “I didn’t realize I’d get this kind of fanfare. It’s been a very humbling experience for me with all the kind comments that have been made.”
Those were words of Angie Reale as she mused on the past month since she announced the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe at 34 Lyme St. would be closing Aug. 31. She has owned and managed the ice cream store for a decade but is now certain that it’s time for her to go.
Reale explains, “I turned 70 in July and it’s just getting to be too much.”
Reale is in remission from cancer and notes, “Last winter was very rough for me with radiation and chemo”. She recalls fondly, “My customers were wonderful during the cancer treatments. They brought me gift cards and all sorts of things. These people, who started as customers, have become my friends.”
The Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe is well-known for the delicious handmade, ice cream creations of owner Angie Reale. File photo.
Reale continues with real passion in her voice, “It’s all been a little overwhelming for me [referring to the kindness shown to her since she announced she was closing the store],” adding, “It’s really very bitter-sweet. I’m going to miss my customers and the girls [who work at the store] so much, especially this new crop of girls.”
She explains, “I do all the making of the ice cream myself. I’ll miss the creative side of making ice cream,” but she stresses with a chuckle, “Not the practical side!” highlighting that it is rather strenuous work.
She attributes the popularity of the store to the fact that she offers a remarkable range of – in several cases – award-winning flavors of ice-cream.Reale correctly points out, “This isn’t a cookie-cutter ice-cream place. People will miss the uniqueness of the flavors.”
Back in 2017, the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe was declared the winner of Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor’s National Small Ice Cream Shop Competition and Reale’s Moroccan Rose ice cream flavor won a major award.
Asked what was next on her agenda after leaving the shop, her answer was surprising, “Get a job!” she said resolutely, adding, “I don’t have any hobbies. I don’t knit, I don’t needlepoint. And I can’t lay around the house doing nothing.”
She elaborates, saying, “I’d really like a little job. I’ll give a good 25 hours a week – I have a strong work ethic.” Reale then comments, “I haven’t had a paycheck in 10 years,” adding with a hearty laugh, “It would be nice to get one!”
Alternatively – or perhaps in addition – she says “I’d really like to volunteer somewhere,” asking ”Why not give back something?”
Discussing the new owners, she describes the couple warmly as a, “Gift from the universe,” who will likely open a gallery in the property – but in Reale’s words, “Not your typical gallery” – and use the residential area as a weekend home.
She comments, “In my fantasy, I was hoping a younger couple would take over the business and keep it going,” but she sold the property in two days, so has no complaints.
Talking of home, where is Reale planning on living now that she can no longer live right behind the shop with, as she laughingly describes, “A three-foot commute”?
Reale says she will be staying with a neighbor for a while, “But not long,” she emphasizes, ”… while I figure things out.”
She sums up her life to date in the words of a friend, who has known Reale for well over 50 years. The friend told her, “Angie, you’ve always flown by the seat of your pants … but you’ve always managed to land safely,” … and Reale says that is precisely what she intends to do in the future!
Editor’s Note: Angie, Old Lyme will miss you – good luck wherever your future takes you, and to anyone out there who needs a professional chef/food manager/preparer, I can personally give her the highest recommendation – her creations are the best!
OLD LYME — UPDATED 3:10pm with State Rep. Carney’s comments: The death was announced Monday, Aug. 8, of former State Senator and Old Lyme resident Melodie Peters. She passed away July 31, 2023, at the age of 76.
Peters, a Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 1992, thus becoming the first woman to represent the 20th District, which includes Old Lyme. She was re-elected with significant margins in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002. During her 12-year-tenure in the senate, she served as deputy majority leader of the Senate and co-chairwoman of the Energy and Technology Committee.
Prior to her move into politics, she was a nurse at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London. She also served as Vice President and subsequently, President of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.
On Monday, the current State Senator for the 20th District, Martha Marx, also a Democrat, released the following statement following the death of Peters. “Melodie Peters was a champion of workers’ rights in Connecticut, and not only served as my State Senator but as my union president.”
Marx continued, “I used to watch her and say ‘nurses can do anything.’ In her decades of work, she always fought for labor and workers, always seeking a better tomorrow. I am grateful for her service to our great state and join many others in mourning her loss.”
State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) sent LymeLine.com the following statement on Peters’ passing, saying, “I am sad to hear of the loss of former State Senator Melodie Peters. Senator Peters represented the 20th Senate District, which includes Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, for 12 years and had a life dedicated to public service. She truly cared about people. She lived right down the street from my mom in Rogers Lake and was always incredibly kind to me.”
He added, “My sincerest condolences to her family.”
Melodie Peters was born July 22, 1947, daughter to the late Wallace “Wally” Larson and Anne Mitchell …
The last few years Melodie unselfishly cared for her husband Earl Peters as his health declined. He undoubtedly was able to enjoy life more because of her love and care. Melodie and Earl were married 40 years until his death four months ago on March 18, 2023.
A longtime community activist and labor leader, Melodie started her career of helping people as a nurse …
… in 1992, Melodie set out for the 20th District Senate seat in the State Legislature. After securing that seat her first time out … she eventually retired twelve years later. Her twelve-year tenure resulted in the passage of numerous pieces of legislation favorable to workers and their families …
Melodie and Earl were members of The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme for many years. There Melodie served on the Board of Deacons, the Soup Kitchen Committee, the Hospitality Committee, and the Ministerial Search Committee. She was generous with her time, talents and wisdom. Her faith was a very important part of her life. The family asks that memorial gifts in her honor be sent to the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Ministers’ Discretionary Fund, 2 Ferry Road Old Lyme, CT 06371. This fund, which Melodie helped to support, serves the needs of those in our community and beyond in their times of need.
The family will have a private celebration of Melodie’s life in the fall.
On Saturday, July 15, celebrity chef Jacques Pepin, standing at right, cut the ribbon for the official opening of ‘The Curry Queen’ restaurant in Old Saybrook. The restaurant is owned by Lyme resident Nalini Srinivasan, pictured left. Photo by H. Margules.
LYME/OLD SAYBROOK — A new restaurant, owned and managed by Lyme resident Nalini Srinivasan, has opened in Old Saybrook. Describing itself as focused on homestyle, authentic Indian cuisine,The Curry Queen, located at 93 Elm St., offers both dine-in and take-out options.
Asked to describe her menu, Srinivasan responded by email saying, “The menu is, at present, a simple one with everyday offerings such as curries, [both] vegetarian and non-vegetarian, specialities from the Tandoor, and small plates of street food samples.”
She added that exciting new additions are planned to the menu shortly but they are still under wraps at this time.
Srinivasan explains, “The intent is to expose our clientele to different regional Indian Food, including Anglo Indian Cuisine.” She also notes that an application for a liquor permit is “in the works.”
Opening a restaurant is a high-risk business. We inquired why Srinivasan felt drawn to do so after enjoying a successful career in finance. She said, “I saw a niche market opportunity. I wanted to reach out to the local community to spread the word [and have] a small business experience. I enjoy the creativity of it and anticipate good things for the future.”
When we asked whather hopes were for the restaurant, her business acumen shone through in her reply. Shrivasan stated her objectives are, “To achieve targeted Business Plan Goals and to assimilate into the economic environment of the area.”
A particularly interesting and endearing aspect of her business is Srinivasan’s decision to employ the Afghan refugee father of five, who is currently living in Old Lyme. The Afghani family is being supported by the Lyme-Old Lyme Refugee and Resettlement Committee.
A Hindu prayer service was held at ‘The Curry Queen’ to celebrate the opening of the restaurant. Photo by H. Margules.
Why had she chosen to take on this gentleman, who clearly did not have the usual references to apply for a chef’s job due to the extremely challenging conditions surrounding his evacuation from Afghanistan?
Srinivasan replied pragmatically, “Because I thought he would have a natural flair for using the Tandoor, which is a common feature in our (Afghan and Indian) cooking methods; … I thought I could use his help while he helps himself to settle in and because I thought we could contribute to the [overarching] cause of resettling a [refugee] family.”
Lymes Creative Arts students focus on their designs, which will ultimately be seen on artisan tiles. All photos submitted.
OLD LYME — “Tremendously successful!” That’s how Lilywork Artisan Tile founders and owners Paul and Esther Halferty sum up their participation in this year’s Lymes Creative Arts program. Their custom-built tile studio is located in the center of Old Lyme at 56 Lyme St. and is the creative endeavor of the husband and wife duo.
The summer program, supported by mini-grants and materials provided by Lymes Creative Arts, aimed to provide transformative and accessible hands-on arts experiences to teenagers in the Lyme and Old Lyme communities.
One of the summer program participants proudly displays her finished work.
The Halferty’s took on the role of instructors for this summer’s program. They guided a group of 11 enthusiastic students through the process of creating tile mosaics from start to finish.
Over the course of several weeks, these talented teens immersed themselves in the world of artisan tile making, acquiring invaluable skills and hopefully forming lasting friendships with their fellow classmates.
Summer students transfer their designs to clay.
Under the guidance of instructors Paul and Esther, the students embarked on an inspiring artistic journey. From shaping clay and designing unique templates to mastering the art of mosaic cutting and glazing techniques, the students gained some insight into a day in the life of a tile artisan.
As the program drew to a close, students were eagerly anticipating the final stage of setting and grouting their colorful creations.
Happily displaying her eye-catching tile created during the summer program.
Beyond the acquisition of artistic skills, this Lymes Creative Arts summer program fostered an environment of camaraderie and friendship. The students collaborated closely with their peers, forging new connections and cherishing the opportunity to share their artistic pursuits.
The emphasis on celebrating individual artistic expression allowed each student to gain confidence in their unique artistic journey, regardless of their skill level.
Students hard at work under the watchful eye of Esther Halferty.
Paul Halferty commented, “As artisan tile makers and instructors, it has been an absolute joy to be a part of the Lymes Creative Arts summer program.”
He continued, “We have witnessed the incredible impact of art in the lives of these talented teenagers, as they not only honed their skills but also discovered new ways to express themselves creatively. The program has been a win-win for both student and teacher and we are grateful to have been a part of their artistic journey.”
The resounding success of the Lymes Creative Arts program can be attributed to their unwavering commitment and dedication to its core objectives. By offering affordable or free programming, Lymes Creative Arts ensured that aspiring artists from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds had access to these transformative experiences.
Painting a piece of clay during the summer program.
The hands-on arts opportunities provided an outlet for the students to manage stress and find fulfillment through artistic expression. The comprehensive range of art forms, including visual arts, craft making, literary arts, and performing arts, catered to a variety of interests, allowing each student to explore their passion fully.
Esther Halferty said, “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Lymes Creative Arts for entrusting us with this remarkable opportunity to nurture the artistic talents of local teenagers.”
She added, “We also extend our appreciation to the Old Lyme community for their unwavering support throughout the program.”
Esther Halferty gives advice to a student during the Lymes Creative Arts summer program.
The couple acknowledges the invaluable funding provided by the American Rescue Plan, which made these transformative experiences possible for aspiring young artists in the area.
The story of Lilywork begins at Moravian Pottery and Tile Work, a living history museum in Bucks County, Pa.
Recently back from a year in Turkey, Esther started an apprenticeship at the Tile Works in the Fall of 2005. Esther came to learn the Tile Work’s traditional tile-making techniques, as well as, to create work inspired by her love of printmaking, architecture, and tile patterns seen during her time abroad.
Creativity shines through in this striking tile.
Paul, meanwhile, was working at the Tile Works as mold-maker, ceramist, and teacher.
One year later they were married … and Lilywork Artisan Tile was born.
Beautiful tiles created by Lilywork Artisan Tile. Each tile is unique.
Today, every tile is pressed by hand in Old Lyme. Because every Lilywork backsplash and custom fireplace is made by hand, no two are exactly alike. Every tile carries a story that lends meaning and authenticity to every surface on which they are placed.
Lilywork tiles are inspired by the Halferty’s love of travel and traditional design. Lilywork designs are not cutting-edge statements of current fashion, but rather a blending of what has been handed down by craftsmen and designers of the past. Paul and Esther strive to create designs and colors that have relevance across cultures and centuries.
Samples of work by Lilywork Artisan Tile grace the walls of the studio.
Over the years, the Halferty’s worked closely with homeowners, designers, and builders to bring their dreams and visions to life. Their clients come to them seeking something different and unique.
As the Halferty’s reflect on the success of the Lymes Creative Arts summer program, they remain steadfast in their commitment to fostering accessible and enriching artistic opportunities for the youth in their community. With their artisan expertise and unwavering passion, the couple eagerly anticipates future endeavors and the positive impact they will continue to have on the lives of aspiring young artists.
Learning the skills of an ancient art.
For more information about Lilywork Artisan Tile and their involvement in the Lymes Creative Arts program, visit www.lilyworktile.com or contact Paul Halferty at 860-865-5933 or lilyworktile@gmail.com.
Editor’s Note: This article is based in part on a press release issued by ‘Lilywork Artisan Tile.‘
