LYME—The Lyme Grange will be having its second annual Toy Tag Sale alongside the Lyme Public Hall event on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will support the maintenance and preservation of the Grange Building and the Fairgrounds along with supporting future programs for the public.
The sale will focus solely on children’s toys and games, Since the Public Hall does not normally accept these items, the Grange will be collecting and offering these items again this year.
As with the Public Hall, the Grange relies on the participation of community members to make these sales a success. For further infromation, email Lymegrangect@gmail.com.
Lyme Public Hall is the site of the George House Tag Sale on Sept. 13. Drop-off for donations starts July 23. File photo.
LYME — The Lyme Public Hall has announced the2025 George House Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Proceeds from this sale support the maintenance of the Lyme Public Hall, Lyme’s Bacdayan Local History Archives, and the Hall’s sponsored programs for the public.
The sale will once again feature quality items and unexpected treasures.
As in years past, Lyme Public Hall relies on the participation of community members to make the sale a success. The Hall will gladly welcome good quality items such as solid wood furniture, tools, antiques, jewelry, housewares, fine china and linens, sporting goods, musical instruments and artwork.
The Hall greatly appreciates the community’s support.
Volunteers of all ages have helped the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden grow. Earlier this year, Eco Warriors from Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School uncovered cabbage in the garden at Town Woods Park.
OLD LYME–On Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m., the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) will celebrate its volunteers in an end-of-season gathering at Town Woods Park.
All are welcome to the free event, which includes sandwiches and drinks. Salads and desserts are welcome but not essential.
LOLFSG in a press release said the nonprofit group this year donated more than 3,700 pounds of produce to the United Way and the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. The bounty adds up to more than 12,000 pounds delivered since 2022.
“Garden volunteers come in many varieties,” the group said. “On-site gardeners show up on cold and damp March days, hot and humid July days and on glorious weather days in any month. They plant, weed, harvest, manage pests, fertilize, innovate, problem-solve and so much more.”
Other volunteers publicize the work of the garden, foster community relationships, fundraise, donate money, inspire new volunteers and perform many other tasks, according to the group.
“As a fully volunteer nonprofit organization, it all matters and it is all appreciated,” organizers said. “Please help us celebrate!”
The Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden is located at 26 Town Woods Rd behind the field house and playground.
Runners of all abilities and ages enjoy competing in the ‘Bound for the Sound’ road race. LymeLine file photo.
OLD LYME—The Old Lyme Fire Department (OLFD) and Auxiliary will host the Bound for the Sound Road Race on Sept. 20. The race offers events for all ages and skill levels, including a 10K, 5K, and a 1-mile Family Fun Run.
The races begin and end at historic Sound View Beach, finishing at the end of Hartford Ave. by the flagpole and beach. The 5K is very flat and fast. The 10K is mostly flat with some gently rolling hills. Post-race food and drink is included in the race entry.
Proceeds benefit the OLFD Auxiliary, supporting department activities to maintain the camaraderie and dedication of members and supplement emergency response.
For more information on sponsorship, volunteer, or other support opportunities, contact president@olfd.org
I’ve always thought of Labor Day as New Year’s Eve. After a summer of vacations the new business year has begun and we’re back to the grind. But while you’ve been enjoying the summer (me, too!) we need to get updated on what’s been happening on our roads, rails and waters.
TRAFFIC DEATHS DOWN SLIGHTLY: On a hopeful note, only 143 highway deaths have been tallied in our state as of mid-August… hopeful, compared to 196 deaths by the same time last year. Credit should go to the State and local Police Departments for cracking down on reckless drivers and speeders.
But of some concern, there’s been an increase in fatalities and injuries involving e-bikes as new laws regarding their operation take effect October 1st.
USING A.I. TO KEEP HIGHWAYS SAFE: It’s been a while since we’ve had a wrong-way crash on our interstates and parkways, thanks in part to artificial intelligence (A.I.). CDOT has installed tech at 150 on and off ramps looking for people as they enter the highway in the wrong direction, setting off flashing lights and alerting the State Police.
HIGHER FARES ON TRAINS: As predicted, fares on all of our trains went up 5% as of September 1st. What a nice way to welcome back commuters! And another 5% jump is coming next July. Bus fares were not affected.
WORK FROM HOME: Higher rail fares (with the same slow service) and unending traffic are other reasons more than 17% of Connecticut residents chose to work remotely. In some towns the numbers are much higher: 39% of Weston residents and 36% in Westport.
NEXTGEN ACELA: Years late, the nifty new Acela trains started running between Boston and Washington on August 28th. Train fan that I am, I saw it run past on it’s debut run… already 12 minutes late. Though they’re capable of 160 mph, they run no faster (and sometimes slower) than Metro-North. Congestion and delays affect even Amtrak’s flagship trainsets. Kind of like putting a Maserati on I-95 at rush hour.
Back in the Metroliner days, Amtrak offered partial fare refunds if your train was 15 minutes late. Last Tuesday’s Next-Gen Acela train (9-2-25) was 30 minutes late into Stamford and 45 minutes late into Washington DC. If your train is 2+ hours late you have to contact Customer Relations to plead your case.
SPIRIT AIRLINES CHAPTER 11 – TAKE 2: The Ultra-Low-Cost airline has filed for bankruptcy again, just months after emerging from its last filing in 2024. The airline blames financial and operational difficulties: underwhelming demand, excess flight capacity, mounting debt and high operating costs. For now, Spirit plans to continue flying out of Bradley airport.
SHIPPING DWI: The captain of the 100,000 ton container ship MSC Jubilee IX was arrested last month by the Coast Guard and charged with DWI. When the Seattle harbor pilot boarded he said he smelled a strong odor of alcohol and called the authorities. The captain said it was just his mouthwash but a breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol of 0.25, six times the legal limit.
Amazingly, local laws call this only a misdemeanor with a $1000 fine. But the captain undoubtedly faces severe consequences. The ship continued its journey without him.
Editor’s Notes: i) Jim Cameron is the founder of the Commuter Action Group and advocates for Connecticut rail riders. He writes a weekly column called ‘Talking Transportation,’ which is published by a number of publications in the state. ii) ”Talking Transportation” recently won first place in the general column/commentary category in the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism Contest.
