Monthly Archives: October 2024

Martha Marx (D): Candidate (Incumbent) for CT State Senate District #20

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Martha Marx has been a trusted leader for decades, a visiting nurse for over 30 years, a State Senator, a two-term City Councilor, a union president for over a decade and a mother raising her family in New London.  She knows how to advocate for patients, neighbors and the community.  While growing up in Waterford in a family of eight children, she learned early how to listen, collaborate and negotiate – learned how to speak up when she needed to and has never stopped.  We need this kind of passion, grit and advocacy continuing to represent us in the State Senate.

What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? What proposal(s) would you make to alleviate the problem?

The most serious problem facing the state of Connecticut is housing.  This is a multifaceted issue and has different solutions in each community.  I do not believe the eight towns in my district would benefit from a state mandated one-size-fits-all zoning approach.  I would like to see the state incentivise communities to solve the housing crisis in ways that fit each town.  We need to allow for all types of housing, not just apartment buildings.  Providing support for accessory dwelling units and small, starter home neighborhoods with smaller ranch- and cape-style housing on smaller lots will allow young families who work in their towns to live in their towns and allow retirees to downsize.  This will not only help solve a fiscal crisis for many families, but also bolster the fiscal health of our municipalities.  We also need to stop predatory landlords from evicting tenants or boosting rents by hundreds of dollars, forcing long-term tenants to leave.  Housing problems are public health problems.  We need to seriously look at creative ways to protect current residents while also increasing housing options. Housing needs to be a priority, but also needs to be enticing for municipalities to make these projects become reality.  I am very proud to be a community member in the 20th District and I want to ensure that all residents in this district have a safe and affordable place to live. 232 words

Book-banning’ has been a significant issue in the community—where do you stand on the matter?

Access to books should not be limited.  I believe librarians are highly educated and are fully capable of determining which books should be in their library collections.  People of all different backgrounds and walks of life use public libraries and librarians are tasked with making sure their collections are meaningful to as many people as possible.  Sometimes that means some people won’t like certain books, and that is okay.  We all need to find tolerance for differences in our communities and work together to realize that public library spaces are meant to be places to explore and learn about things that might be outside of our normal days, and that we will be better community members for having that knowledge.

Why are you running for this position?

As a visiting nurse I have seen policies that have worked and don’t work in all of our homes, around many kitchen tables.  As a nurse I have been a constant advocate for my patients.  After seeing decades of policies that needed to be changed, I decided that if I wanted change, I needed to be a part of making it happen, and ran for office.  I love being in Hartford and being an advocate for so many people.  I love being a part of changing the policies that do not work well in our communities.  

Life can be really hard for all of us, and improving policies to make lives easier brings me joy.  I want to work on and pass legislation that makes lives better.  Being that I continue to work as a visiting nurse, I am ever-present in our communities, in homes of people of all races and incomes across the district.  This gives me a perspective that most legislators do not have – I am having conversations, with regular people everyday, about what would make their lives and our communities better.  I hear what our residents would like to see from their government.  I take those conversations straight to the Senate chambers and work on policies that make sense and are a direct result of listening to my constituents.  Helping people has been my life’s work, it is my passion.

Death of Internationally-Acclaimed Designer Peter F. Carlson of Old Lyme Announced

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Peter F. Carlson

LYME, CT—Designer Peter F. Carlson, age 70, died unexpectedly at his home in Old Lyme, Aug. 14, 2024. Originally hailing from Boston, Mass., Peter resided in various locations before establishing himself in a drafty but charming barn he imported from New Hampshire and transformed into a remarkable home. While it may lack a sunroom – a feature he often wished he could add – Peter took the absence in stride, always making light of it as he dreamed up plans for a future renovation.

Peter was a paradox. Generally warm and affable, he could occasionally display a short temper and cantankerous disposition. His partner Larry would sometimes refer to him as “Ebenezer,” while close friends and helpers playfully called him “My Liege,” both nicknames affectionately acknowledging his more challenging traits. Comparisons were drawn on more than one occasion between Peter and Hugh Laurie’s titular character on “House, M.D.,” as they both shared a sharp intellect and a flair for unconventional problem-solving.

Despite this, Peter often took more quickly to humor than he did to anger. Few topics were considered off-limits, and he navigated life’s ups and downs with kindness, self-assurance, and an irreverent wit. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures – his beloved dog Jack, his garden, Fortuny fabric, and an eclectic collection of small obelisks. He loved simple things from childhood like Lipton Noodle Soup packets and that ghastly New England brown bread sold in a can.

Peter’s house was never quiet. He enjoyed the music of Al Green and Aretha Franklin, the thoughtful discourse of NPR and lately, streaming CNN all day long to keep up with the latest political rancor. He loved documentaries about fashion and the luxury homes of Babe Paley, Patti Astor and Elsa Schiaparelli. In stark contrast to this, he also inexplicably enjoyed the TV series “Snapped.” He felt kinship with the maximalist designer Tony Duquette and often signed off his elaborate emails, “With love, TONY D.” Peter also loved reading obituaries and sharing them in emails to neighbors and colleagues, even going so far as to print and file the ones he thought were particularly good in a dedicated obituaries folder.

However, more than any of these things, he deeply loved his family and his friends. He was especially proud of his partner Larry, who was an esteemed middle school teacher at Friends Seminary in New York for 45 years.

Peter was born in Boston in 1954, but his family eventually settled in Barrington, R.I., where he spent many of his formative years. A life-long music lover, he traveled to Austria as a young member of the Barrington Boys’ Choir. He later studied English and the Arts at Connecticut College in New London, from 1972 to 1976, where he participated in the American Dance Festival. In 1974, he also attended the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

After graduating, Carlson moved to New York, embarking on a professional journey as a struggling young actor, sustaining himself by bartending at the legendary Studio 54 and working as a part-time driver. One unforgettable client was Edie Beale, the iconic performer from Grey Gardens fame, whom he chauffeured to and from Newark during her engagement at Reno Sweeney, a celebrated Greenwich Village cabaret. A transformative moment in Peter’s career occurred when he drove a decorator’s black Rolls Royce, adorned with custom needlepoint upholstery, leading him to conclude, “This is the way to live.” With no formal training and no clientele, he established his first interior design firm, where he ultimately achieved enduring success.

In addition to offices in New York, Carlson maintained close ties to New England and had an interior design office in Stonington in 1978, where he focused on the restoration and decoration of historic properties such as the Deshon-Allyn House at the Lyman Allyn Museum, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and the Stonington Historical Society, restoring several 18th century and Greek revival houses owned by the society. Peter often lectured on various aspects of design for art associations, museums and libraries in the area.

In the early ’80s, Peter was a rising design star in the New York metropolitan area and was a featured designer at several Kips Bay Boys Club Decorator Show houses. Artfully mixing the old and the new, Peter’s style was described by Connoisseur magazine in May 1988 as, “neoclassicism strained through surrealism.” After founding his firm in New York, Peter married fellow designer Linda Chase in 1992. The couple relocated to Los Angeles, merging their businesses and collaborating on numerous commercial projects, including the offices of Sony, Time Warner, and Disney, as well as residential designs for prominent clients such as Kevin Costner and Jerome Moss. Peter and Linda welcomed a son, Alex, before moving to Connecticut, and subsequently divorcing in 1996.

Throughout his career, Peter remained deeply engaged in the design industry. Frustrated by a dearth of suitable lighting options for his clients, he founded a decorative lighting company in 2001 named CL Sterling and Son. Partnering with a close friend and former client, CL Sterling expanded from its Niantic headquarters to include showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, Japan and Australia. Peter’s work garnered recognition in a multitude of esteemed publications, including The New York Times, NY Times Magazine, The New Yorker, Architectural Digest, Connoisseur, Dwell, House Beautiful, Vogue and Interior Design Magazine. His designs can be found today in residential and commercial spaces worldwide.

During his nearly three decades in Lyme, Peter cultivated friendships throughout the community and was renowned for his ability to engage in conversation with nearly anyone. The longevity of his relationships with employees and friends is most easily measured in decades, with many having visited his barn for drinks, dinner, or, on one particularly memorable occasion following a trip to Southeast Asia, a sarong party. His home showcased an impressive collection of works by local artists, and he was finally able to dust off his college-era SAG-AFTRA membership for a minor role he was particularly suited for as an art collector in a film directed by a friend. The film reportedly achieved critical acclaim in Eastern Europe, a fact Peter shared frequently with pride and a wry smile.

Peter was, above all, a steadfast friend to those in need, on more than one occasion giving away the shirt or jacket off his back to someone who needed it more. His kindness, humor, and quick wit will be profoundly missed. He is survived by his son Alex Carlson; his partner Larry Carter; his father’s wife Carol Carlson; and many close friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Martha (Weir); his father, Paul Carlson; and Alex’s mother, Linda Chase.

A service will be held at1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. All are welcome. Peter was a passionate supporter of numerous charitable causes, including support for Ukraine, the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education, and the ASPCA. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider making a donation to your preferred charity.

Death of John Bysko Announced, 48-Year Resident of Old Lyme, Passionate About Local Community, Politics

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OLD LYME—John Allan Bysko, 78, passed away unexpectedly on October 3, 2024 while at work.

He was born July 1, 1946 in a displaced persons camp in Hamburg, Germany. His parents and sister fled from their home in Ukraine during World War II. They came to the United States via Ellis Island when he was 5 years old. He grew up in West Hartford attending Hall High, excelling as a track star as well as in academics. He graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Business Administration with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He became a Certified Financial Planner in 1987 and a Certified Public Accountant in 1988. Prior to going into private practice, he was a Vice President and Head of Trust and Private Banking for Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, which at the time was the largest commercial bank in Connecticut. For a short time he worked out of his family home but quickly he needed a bigger space and 100 Halls Road became his second home. He was dedicated to his clients, many relationships spanning decades. He truly cared for them and many became dear friends. He quietly cared for many.

A friend introduced him to Jane Barry in February 1969. They were engaged in July and married in December. John leaves to mourn Jane and their 3 children, Jennifer Bysko, John Bysko Jr and Jillian (Glen) Bobowicz as well as his 5 grandchildren, Brody, Ella, Noah, Elias and Owen. He was predeceased by his parents, Motria and Wasyl Byczko as well as his sister Lucy Leavenworth who passed away just seven days prior. He also leaves behind his niece Jolene Crane and nephew James Leavenworth.

He lived in Old Lyme for the past 48 years and was passionate about the community and local politics. He proudly served as Town Treasurer, on the Board of Assessment Appeals, the committee for the renovation of the Town Hall, on the RTC for 20 years and as Treasurer for several local political campaigns.

John joined New London Rotary in 1987 and remained an active member until the day he passed away, after Rotary on a Thursday. John served on the Board of Directors for both the New London Rotary Club and Foundation. As the longtime Sergeant-at-Arms, John was one of the first people to warmly greet members and guests before each weekly meeting. John has been recognized by the club with a Distinguished Service/Paul Harris Fellow Award three times, acknowledging the important service he provided to the club and community of New London. His service to New London also included serving on the New London Symphony Board and the steering committee to form what is now the Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut.

The Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” was an apt saying for a man who sought to make the community and the world a better place. John confided to a member after one meeting that Rotary fulfilled his view of what is best in the world; people of all faiths and philosophies coming together through Rotary to become friends while working for the common good.

He liked to collect stamps, always searching for a hidden gem. He was an avid fan of the UConn women’s basketball team. He enjoyed attending games at Mohegan Sun and trying his luck on penny slots. He played setback on Wednesdays in Rhode Island. He went to Rotary every Thursday. He enjoyed the warm waters of the Caribbean. He loved his family beyond words, working tirelessly and showing them the true definition of the American dream. He was a first generation American who came from nothing and paved his own way to success.

He would say that “There’s little stuff and there’s big stuff and most of it is little stuff. Worry about the big stuff.” We will do our best Dad.

Calling hours will be held from 3-6pm on Saturday October 19, 2024 at Fulton Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane in Old Lyme. A gathering in John’s honor will be planned for a later date.

Death Announced of Patricia “Patti” Calkins of Old Lyme; a Voracious Reader, Worked for LOL Schools for 37 Years

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OLD LYME—Patricia “Patti” C. Calkins died Oct. 10, 2024, at home in the embrace of her husband and son … Patricia was born to Thomas J. Collins and Mary A. (Dorsey) Collins Aug. 10, 1948 …

Patti was married to George P. Calkins Aug. 16, 1969, at the St. Johns R. C. Church in Old Saybrook … When her kids were old enough to begin school, she started working for the Lyme/Old Lyme School District from which she retired after 37 years. … She was not an outdoor person and once responded when our family doctor asked what she did for exercise, “I knit and read.” He had no response.

Above all, Patti was a voracious reader. She read constantly until just before her death. She was an avid member of her monthly book club with several of her closest friends from school. She could be found several days a week at the Old Lyme P.G.N. Library where she had once volunteered …

Patti is survived by her husband George; her daughter Sarah R. (Calkins) Jennings; son Adam C. Calkins; and her beloved granddaughter Emily Patricia Jennings and grandson Matthew J. Jennings; Patricia’s sister Mary A. (Collins) Emma, husband Albert Emma, niece Mara Emma and nephew Jason Emma who all reside in Georgia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in Christ The King R. C. Church, McCurdy Road, Old Lyme … Patti would wish that in lieu of any flowers, a memorial donation to the P.G.N. Library, or to a library of the donor’s choice, be made to remember her “HAPPY PLACE.” …

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published Oct. 15, 2024 on ‘TheDay.com.’

Old Lyme Non-profit Supports Breast Cancer Prevention with Online Art Exhibition

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Backus Hospital staff stand with Maina Foundation founder Alka Shrikhande.

OLD LYME—Connecticut resident and Pfizer alumna, Alka Shrikhande, says, “When my mom, a beautiful and loving woman, lost her battle against breast cancer in 2006, the question I asked myself was, whether she would still be alive if the cancer had been detected earlier with yearly mammograms?”

In 2008, Shrikhande established Maina Foundation, a nonprofit based in Old Lyme, whose mission is to increase awareness of breast cancer, promote early detection, and offer financial assistance—where it is able—for treatment. 

With low overheads, and an all-volunteer staff, almost all the money the organization raises goes towards three areas of support.

Locally, Maina Foundation has donated to Backus Breast Cancer Center in Norwich, Conn., to assist breast cancer patients in Eastern Connecticut from diagnosis through treatment, and beyond. 

Maina Foundation representatives present New York City Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center in Manhattan with a check for funding.

In New York, Maina Foundation has been collaborating with the New York City (NYC) Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center in Manhattan to support breast cancer patients in need, to obtain advanced diagnostic imaging.

And, in India, the organization has had a significant impact on screening and raising awareness of breast cancer in underserved communities at multiple hospitals in Mumbai, Rishikesh, and Chennai, to name a few. 

From October to December this year, in honor of Breast Cancer Prevention Month, Maina Foundation is excited to be partnering with artists, both local and national, in their 3rd Annual Online Art Exhibition. Images of the art for sale can be found on the Maina Foundation website—the list price includes shipping, and there is no sales tax.

This year, 20 percent of the proceeds from the art sale will be donated to NYC Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center, to provide comprehensive breast cancer care to underserved and vulnerable populations, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Featured artists include:

Howard Park, a local artist and photographer, was led by his love of the sea, from Boston, via the L’Ecole d’Art Decorative de Nice, to Connecticut where he now lives in East Lyme. In 2001, Park sailed around the world. He has won numerous awards from the New England Watercolor Society, the Mystic Museum of Art and the Lyme Art Association. 

Lisa Miceli, is a local artist who has won multiple awards for her plein air art with a focus on expressionist watercolors and oils. She has been Influenced, amongst others, by her grandmother, Lucille Gauthier, an illustrator, watercolorist, and a Works Progress Administration artist in the 1930’s. Miceli was the winner of the JMW Turner watercolor competition at the Mystic Seaport.

Natalie Sambamurty, a Maina Foundation board member, works with acrylic, watercolors and oil paints. She draws inspiration from wildlife, traditional Indian art and lifestyles, nature, and different cultures of the world. She is passionate about children’s and women’s health. 

Laya Joseph, a New York-based artist, is influenced by her botanist background. She works primarily in acrylic and mixed media, and her paintings are mostly abstracts and semi abstracts, expressionistic in style and often rooted in her memories and experiences.

Ritu Khetan, inspired by the beauty of henna art, creates intricate patterns on candles, trays, and home décor. Khetan has introduced the art of henna to students of Carnegie Mellon University, and loves to share the joy of simply “creating.”

Sneha Khetan, an 8th Grader from Charlotte, N.C., makes handmade cards and shadow boxes, and is the founder of Sustainable Charlotte, an organization that promotes sustainable living with an aim to educate the public about the climate crisis. 

Girish Nair, is known for his live painting on stage alongside musicians and other performing artists. Although known for his portraits in oil and color pencils, he has a special interest in creating abstracts and theological interpretations. His art has raised more than $60,000 for multiple charitable organizations.

Geeta Pathak, transformed innocent doodles in school books to priceless canvases. Life, with all its precious moments of love, angst, heartache, amidst playing different roles of daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother, all came together one day as art became her lifeline. This is why she paints everything and anything she perceives to be “in the moment.”

With the support of the community, Maina Foundation hopes to raise much-needed funds to continue their programs and fulfil their mission to raise breast cancer awareness. Please consider supporting their mission by purchasing these beautiful paintings, created by the featured artists.