A portfolio of work by newly-elected Lyme Art Association (LAA) Elected Artist Paul Loescher will be displayed at the LAA from Jan. 12 through Feb. 22, 2024. The watercolor painting above is titled, ‘Waiting for the Evening Train‘.
OLD LYME — This winter, the Lyme Art Association (LAA) celebrates the new year with three exciting exhibitions, namely, First Impressions: 32nd Annual Associate Artist , Congratulations, and Nostalgia.
First Impressions: 32nd Annual Associate Artist includes a full range of media and themes created by LAA’s Associate Artists.
Congratulations features works by the LAA’s newest Elected Artists, artists who were elected by their peers after a rigorous selection and evaluation process. Susanna DalPonte, Isabel Lane and Paul Loescher will display their portfolios in this group exhibition.
In Nostalgia, LAA Member Artists reflect on cherished memories and the importance of preserving moments of joy. Participating artists were encouraged to delve into their interpretations of nostalgia and share through a variety of mediums and styles what these precious recollections mean to them.
All three shows are on view from Jan. 12 through Feb. 22, 2024.
In addition to exhibits, the LAA offers a variety of art programming. On Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m., artists and sailing enthusiasts alike will enjoy an Art Talk with Connecticut artist Howard Park. Through paintings and photos, Park recreates for visitors his trip around the world in his restored sailboat, a 1946 Sparkman & Stephens 52’ yawl.
Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the LAA continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction, lectures, and other public programs to the community.
The Association is located at 90 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, CT, in a building designed by Lyme colony artist and architect, Charles Adams Platt, and located within the town’s national historic district.
Admission is free with contributions appreciated. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 5 p.m., or by appointment.
For more information on exhibits, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, visit the LAA website or call (860) 434-7802.
HARTFORD/ESSEX/LYME—Yesterday, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) announced he is running for a fourth term in the State Senate. First elected in 2018, Sen. Needleman represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes the town of Lyme along with Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.
“While I am proud of what my colleagues and I have accomplished in Hartford since I was elected to the State Senate six years ago, there is still work left to be done,” said Sen. Needleman. “I want to continue to build on my reputation as someone who builds consensus and forges common-sense solutions to Connecticut’s challenges that have received bipartisan support.”
He continued, “From my leadership positions on the Energy and Technology and Planning Development committees to my membership on the Commerce, Finance, Revenue and Transportation committees.”
Needleman concluded, “I’m excited to continue working as a pragmatic problem solver and support my constituents.”
Since he was sworn in as a State Senator, Sen. Needleman has served as Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee. In 2020, he authored and led passage of the “Take Back Our Grid Act,” and in 2023, he took those protections further with Senate Bill 7.
Sen. Needleman has also achieved victories in energy and technology legislation.
Additionally, In 2023, Sen. Needleman championed the passage of a state budget that included the largest income tax reduction ever enacted in state history, an increase in a tax credit targeting lowest-income workers, and expanded exemptions on certain certain pension and annuity earnings benefitting seniors.
In addition to his work as State Senator, Sen. Needleman also serves as First Selectman of Essex, currently in his seventh term in the role, with a focus on effective municipal management.
He is also the founder and CEO of Tower Laboratories in Essex, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company he built from the ground up to be a leader in its field.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by State Sen. Needleman’s office.
LYME, CT—1/11 UPDATED with full obituary and photo: Morgan Stiles Ely, 88, of Lyme, passed away of natural causes Dec. 31, 2023, while surrounded by his family and loved ones. Morgan was born Aug. 25, 1935, to Ernest Stiles Ely and Dorothy Winship of New London.
He grew up in Southeastern Connecticut, graduating from Admiral Billard Academy in 1953. Morgan accomplished his undergraduate work at the United States Coast Guard Academy and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, achieving his Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, Morgan joined the civil engineering core of the U.S. Navy, the Seabees, embarking on 33 years of dedicated service between both active duty and the naval reserves. During his time with the Navy, he achieved the rank of commander, served in three campaigns in Vietnam, and even found the love of his life along the way. In 1961, while stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico, he met Angeles Correa on Luquillo Beach. They wed in 1962, going on to have two children, their son Ernest Stiles and their daughter Elizabeth Ann.
After completing his active-duty service, Morgan earned two more degrees, both from Utah State University. He earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Morgan joined Bechtel Engineering Corp. and traveled with his family to Alaska to help build the Alaskan pipeline, an adventure that stands large in the memory of those he leaves behind. After leaving Alaska, he served as an engineer and oversaw the construction of both the Limerick and Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plants in Pennsylvania.
Morgan and family settled down in his ancestral home of Lyme in 1980, building his forever home on Hart Hill on Rogers Lake. He worked as the chief of design and review for the State of Connecticut, overseeing the construction of all public buildings in the state. He later managed and oversaw the Rocky Hill Veterans Home and Hospital before retiring in 1998. Morgan was a man of great values, moral fortitude and tremendous work ethic. He cared about his fellow man more than most and showed this care and consideration through action. He took people in at their worst and taught them how to be their best, and if you ever faced adversity, he would refuse to allow you to face it alone. He inspired others to be more than the sum of their parts and continues to be an aspirational beacon of nurturing and leadership even after his departure from us.
Throughout his life, Morgan spent his free time skiing, diving and flying. He had a deep love for sailing, especially in his sailboat, “the Captain Morgan.” He was an avid member of his community, volunteering with many service organizations, some of which include the Jaycees, the Rotary Club, the Elks, the Power Squadron, the VFW, the Sierra Club, the Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, the Lyme Congregational Church, the Lyme Grange, the Lyme Public Hall and the Lions Club, where he served as president for several years. Morgan also hosted both Coast Guard Cadets and multiple foreign exchange students, providing a safe and loving home environment for those away from their own home. Through hard work, kindness, service and love, he lived his life diligently in service of his family, community and country. He loved to help others accomplish their goals but was also not afraid to ask for a hand (or two) in accomplishing a project of his own as he believed many hands make light work, and it would take all hands working together to forward the world in a positive direction.
Morgan was predeceased by his father Ernest Stiles Ely; and his mother Dorothy. He is survived by his wife Angeles Correa Ely of Lyme; his son and daughter-in-law Ernest Stiles Ely and Kirsten Gibson Ely of Brandon, Fla.; his daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth Ely Sunshine and David B. Sunshine of Lyme; his granddaughter Sierra Sunshine and husband Isaiah Keyes of Durham, N.C.; his grandson Austin Stiles Ely of Brandon, Fla.; his grandson Braiden Stiles Sunshine of Lyme; his granddaughter Jessica Lynn Ely of Brandon, Fla.; sisters, Daphne Ely of Waterford and Carwin Carruthers of East Lyme; brother William Keene Carruthers and his wife Rosie Carruthers of New Lebanon, Ohio; nieces and nephews, Vivian, Janet, Robin, Susan, Maggie and Samuel; and many other loving cousins and friends.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at The First Congregational Church of Lyme, 1 Sterling City Road, Lyme CT, 06371, with a reception following at the Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Road, Lyme CT, 06371.
ESSEX/LYME/OLD LYME—The Lower Connecticut River Land Trust invites nominations for their 2023 fourth annual award of the Melvin Woody Lower Connecticut River Conservation Award. Nominations can either be for an organization or an individual that you feel has significantly contributed to the conservation of the lower Connecticut River region.
This award is named after one of the Lower Connecticut River Land Trust’s prominent board members. Melvin Woody has been an ardent supporter of the Lower Connecticut River and Coastal Region Land Trust Exchange (LTE) since its inception in 2009. He has also been the guiding voice in the transformation and growth of that informal organization from a conservation tool of the Lower Connecticut River Gateway Conservation Zone to a broader geography that encompasses and supports the conservation needs of all of the communities of the lower Connecticut River Region.
Woody has been a member of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission since 1973, served as its Chair for many years, and is currently the Commission’s first ex officio member.
Last year’s award went to John Hall and the volunteers of the Jonah Center for their work in control of the aquatic invasive Trapa natans or water chestnut in the Connecticut River. Other awardees are Janet Stone of the Deep River Land Trust and Marilyn Gleeson of the East Haddam Land Trust. Their contributions to the region can be found at https://www.lcrlt.org/awards .
The Commission is responsible for protecting over 1,000 acres within the Gateway Conservation Zone and has supported many environmental studies and restoration projects.
HARTFORD—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) is leading the development of the state’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Priority Climate Action Plan with proposed actions the state may implement to reduce the air pollution that is warming our planet, clean up our air, and provide important benefits to communities in the state, such as reduced energy bills, improved public health, and more jobs.
It is important that CT DEEP incorporate public comment from individuals and organizations on the most significant community challenges and potential benefits to communities related to these actions to reduce greenhouse gases as part of its Notice of Request for Public Comment issued on December 22, 2023.
In order to facilitate the receipt of public comment, the DEEP has created a Public Comment Survey on challenges and benefits, whichtakes about 10 minutes to complete. It also offers the option to spend more time to provide detailed comments on each climate action proposed by the state.
Responses to this survey are considered public and will be posted publicly. on the DEEP Climate Action Plan website after the survey closes as official public comment on the Priority Climate Action Plan.
The public comment survey results will inform CT DEEP’s analysis of the benefits and potential negative impacts of the 14 actions and plans to address those impacts on communities in Connecticut to be included with the Priority Climate Action Plan. All updates on the Priority Climate Action Plan will be shared via our Climate Solutions Newsletter and posted on the DEEP Climate Action Plan website.
This survey will be closed at 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2024.
