LYME — This year’s parade in Lyme celebrating our country’s 248th birthday was full of all its usual delights including music, marchers and much merriment … though missing the muskets of yesteryear. Enjoy our photo essay of the grand event.
MADISON, CT—Cameron John Rogerson passed away June 13, 2024, one month following his 64th birthday. He and his wife had the good fortune to go on vacation and celebrate his birthday in May before his battle with cancer returned to take his life.
Cameron was born May 13, 1960, in Torrington, to Patricia and Thomas Walker Rogerson. Cameron was the middle son of three boys, and raised in Old Lyme where the family moved when he was a toddler …
He leaves behind his loving wife Leah Rogerson; brothers, David and Andrew Rogerson; mother Patricia Rogerson; sisters-in-law, Ann Rogerson, Meryl (Todd) Markham and Christa Johnson (partner Derek Geary); nieces, Katharine Rogerson and Mikaela Markham; nephews, Drew Rogerson and Rhys Markham; goddaughter Sheridan Neary; and a wide array of cherished friends from grade school, college and life in N.Y.C. and Madison.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, in Cameron’s honor at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme …
Visit this link to view the full obituary published July 7, 2024 by ‘The Day.‘
OLD LYME — Friends and neighbors joined with residents of Rogers Lake West Shores Association (RLWSA) for a (now) traditional Independence Day Boat Parade on Rogers Lake.
The winners of the trophy for the “Most Enthusiastic, Patriotic, and Best Decorated Boat” were the King family, who are residents of the RLWSA.
Seen awarding the trophy to the patriotically-decorated vessel and its owners in the photo above are Dave Evers (second from left), RLWSA President and his wife and ever-cheerful organizer, Christina, at right.
Bringing up the rear of the parade was the Irish currach with rowers from the local Currach Rowers team.
The currach rowers agreed that the boat parade offered excellent rowing skills practice … but was a great deal more fun!
Rogers Lake West Shores Association President Dave Evers commented after the event, “Christina and I would like to thank everyone who participated and also watched [the parade], every year it’s gets bigger and better. So much fun.”
He added, “Also Ginny and Tim King won the trophy this year. The trophy gets returned before the parade and given to the new winners at the end,”
Evers explained, “The winners can have their name and year [of winning the contest] engraved on the trophy.”
NEW LONDON—The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has announced recent grant awards of nearly $2.6 million to advance equity through its six focus areas as follows:
Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the Community Foundation’s Total grantmaking to organizations based in Lyme or Old Lyme was $67,617. The recipients were:
Connecticut Audubon Society (RTPEC)
Crosby Fund for Haitian Education
Florence Griswold Museum
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
Lyme Art Association
Lyme Fire Company
Lyme Land Conservation Trust
Lyme Public Library
Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau
MacCurdy-Salisbury Education Foundation
Musical Masterworks
Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center
Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library
Old Lyme Social Services
Town of Lyme
Tree of Life Educational Fund
Community Foundation President and CEO Maryam Elahi reported, “For these grants, we were thrilled to receive donations of $385,765 from two anonymous funders, enabling us to issue our first-ever systems change grants and substantially increase our youth empowerment grantmaking in communities with limited resources. This is a terrific example of the impact of thoughtful collaboration and partnering for greater impact.”
The Community Foundation funded more than $200,000 to address housing insecurity in Eastern Connecticut including: support for financial literacy for home seekers; homelessness prevention; civil rights enforcement for communities of color; and creation of new deed-restricted affordable housing.
Grantees addressing these issues include CT Fair Housing, Eastern CT Housing Opportunities (ECHO), Habitat for Humanity, HOPE Partnership, Always Home, Martin House, New London Homeless Hospitality, and Holy Family Home and Shelter in Willimantic.
“Lack of housing that families can afford has become a major crisis in Eastern Connecticut. The Community Foundation is committed to supporting multiple avenues to reduce the burden on local residents,” stated Jennifer O’Brien, program officer at the Community Foundation.
Other highlights of the 2024 grants include:
Visit the Community Foundation’s website for a complete list of grantees.
Editor’s Notes: Serving 42 towns and comprised of over 600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut’s vision is a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all. We collaborate with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our community in Eastern Connecticut. The Community Foundation manages a permanent community endowment and has awarded over $100 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students since its founding in 1983. To learn more, visit cfect.org.
LYME/OLD LYME — After the great success of the 2020 inaugural Rogers Lake Boat Parade, and the subsequent 2021, 2022 and 2023 parades, another one is planned this year on Thursday, July 4, starting at 1 p.m., from the Hains Park area.
Both motorized and non-motorized boats are invited to participate but all must be festively/patriotically decorated. In order to achieve a timely start, participants should arrive around 12:45 p.m.
A trophy will be awarded for the most enthusiastic, patriotic, and best-decorated boat in the parade.
Follow the designated lead boat or join in at your location. The route is one counter-clockwise lap around the lake.
Once the parade has begin, all boats should follow the designated lead boat or join at your respective location. Boats should stay within 100 ft. of the shore at ‘No Wake’ speed and no swimming in or near the parade is permitted.
All participants are requested to be respectful and mindful of everyone’s safety.
Additional information is as follows: