Monthly Archives: October 2025

Letter to the Editor: Attendance Records for Old Lyme Board of Finance Candidates Thompson, Kelsey Differ Sharply

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To the Editor:

We live in a representative democracy and this November you are being charged with electing fellow Old Lyme residents to be your representatives on local boards and commissions. One of the most basic things you should expect from your representatives is that they show up, at least most of the time, so that they can understand the issues and represent your interests. We do have alternates for many of our boards who step in when a regular member is ill or has some other unavoidable conflict. However, there are issues that carry over multiple meetings and repeated absences can lead to representatives making decisions without having all important information.

This is extremely relevant in this year’s Board of Finance race. Kimberly Thompson, the Democratic candidate, has served on this board since November 2021. Since being sworn in to her seat, Kim has only missed one meeting. Since January 2024, one of her opponents, J. David Kelsey, has missed 12 meetings, constituting about 35% of the total.  Five of these missed meetings have been in 2025 and, as of this writing, David has not been seen at the Board of Finance since June. To earn your vote, members should show up for Old Lyme. Please join me in voting for Kimberly Thompson on November 4 for a full Board of Finance seat.

Sincerely,

Leanne Viola,
Old Lyme.

Got Pumpkins? Chuck ‘Em to Make Compost at Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden’s Second Annual Pumpkin Toss, Nov. 8

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A pumpkin was catapulted into the Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) compost pile at last year’s inaugural event. Photo courtesy of LOLFSG.

OLD LYME–On Saturday, Nov. 8, big orange gourds will be flying at the second annual Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) Pumpkin Toss.

The event will run from 9 to 11 a.m. at Town Woods Park, 30 Town Woods Road.

The event offers families a fun venue to recycle their Halloween pumpkins for a good cause, according to an LOLFSG press release.

Building on the popular pumpkin chunkin’ phenomenon, garden volunteers will deploy a trebuchet to toss the pumpkins into the compost pile.

The group said pumpkins from last year’s toss broke down through the composting process into nutrient-rich soil, which helped the Foodshare garden grow over three tons of produce for donation to the Gemma Moran United Way food distribution program and the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries.

Only unpainted pumpkins will be accepted.

Lyme Public Hall Hosts Traditional Annual Chowder Dinner, Nov. 8

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LYME — The Lyme Public Hall’s Chowder Dinner is a longstanding Lyme Public Hall tradition, served up a beautiful historic setting. The public is invited to stop by on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 7 pm, either to dine at the Hall or for take-away to enjoy at home. 

The dinner features hearty homemade clam and corn chowders (free refills and vegetarian option available), special recipe coleslaw, green salad from Falls Brook Organic Farm, locally made breads, and homemade apple crisp.

Prices for the hearty meal are at the same price as last year, although local fresh clam prices have been rising dramatically in the past few years. $20 for a complete meal at the Hall; $10 for kids 7-12 and children under 7 eat for free; cash or checks accepted.

Chowder quarts to take home are available for $20, or a complete meal can be assembled to go for the same price.

Head Chef Bill Denow will hold to tradition using the best ingredients, and he promises you will not have to hunt around to find a clam in his recipe; your spoon will always find a satisfying clam bite!

This year, the Public Hall would like to help support the Shoreline Soup Kitchens at the same time that this traditional event is being enjoyed, and is asking everyone to bring a can to contribute if you are able. 

The Lyme Public Hall is located at 249 Hamburg Rd. (Rte. 156) in Lyme, Conn. 

Proceeds from the event benefit the Lyme Public Hall & Local History Archives.

For more information, visit www.lymepublichall.org

Florence Griswold Museum Executive Director to Depart Late November for New Position

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Trustees Tap Current Admininistration Director as Interim Leader, Promise No Interruption to $17.8 Million Expansion Plan

OLD LYME–The Florence Griswold Museum today announced Executive Director Joshua Campbell Torrance will step down on Nov. 26 of this year to move to a new position in Cooperstown, NY.  

Torrance, who led the museum since February 2023 and oversaw the planning stages for a $17.8 million renovation and expansion project announced last month, has accepted a leadership role at Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm and Country Village.

The Florence Griswold Museum in a Thursday press release said its Board of Trustees has named Peter Steere, the current director of administration, as interim director. Steere held the position since 2024, following his retirement as chief operating officer for Yale Health. 

Steere brings 40 years of senior executive experience in strategic planning, human resources  management, and major expansion projects. 

Board Chairwoman Barbara Harms identified Steere as a seasoned project manager. 

“Our staff is exceptional, and devoted to the museum and its future,” she said. “There will be no interruption to our expansion plans.” 

Torrance will serve as senior vice president overseeing the two Fenimore museum sites before taking over as president and CEO with the retirement of Dr. Paul S. D’Ambrosio.

Harms lauded Torrance for his role in the Florence Griswold Museum’s planned expansion, which she said included multiple in-depth studies, revised vision and mission statements, and an institutional rebrand to honor the museum’s history while preparing for its future. 

“Joshua’s tenure was a time of study, planning, and clear strategic direction,” Harms said. “We appreciate his guidance and inspiration, and we look forward to advancing the plans developed under his leadership as scheduled.” 

Torrance described himself as privileged to have worked with the museum’s board, staff members and volunteers. 

“I am grateful to them for allowing me to be a small part of their distinguished history and impressive  future,” he said.  

The museum said the move is a homecoming for Torrance, who received a master’s degree in history museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program at SUNY Oneonta, and whose first job after graduation was at the Fenimore Art Museum in 1998 as curatorial assistant under then-Vice President D’Ambrosio. 

“I am confident that under Joshua’s leadership the future of Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm are in good hands,” D’Ambrosio said. “There is no one I trust more with the stewardship of two places that have meant so much and been such a large part of my life, for forty-two years.”

Letter to the Editor: Former First Selectman Griswold Endorses Mesham, Read for Old Lyme Board of Selectmen

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To the Editor:

Having served as your First Selectman for 18 years, as member of the Board of Finance for 15 years and currently as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals for 12 years, I am proud to whole heartedly endorse John Mesham to be our next First Selectman and Jude Read to continue as our Selectwoman. Both John and Jude are extremely well qualified to lead our Town.

John has been deeply involved in our community for decades as a State Police Officer, a Boy Scout Leader, a member of the Inland Wetlands Commission and a Deputy Registrar of Voters.  He and his wife Nancy have resided in Old Lyme for 31 years and their three children have graduated from our outstanding Lyme/Old Lyme schools. John is a proven leader and manager and he is a person of impeccable integrity. John has been a key leader in supporting the Town’s right to access our Tantummaheag Landing, a leader in the fight to stop the HROD debacle, and played a vital role in bringing Town commissions together to oversee the Horseneck Creek Open Space parcel. John has significant supervisory and management experience of multiple state police barracks and personnel. His responsibilities included day-to-day management and oversight of over 100 people. This included scheduling, performance reviews, facilities management, vehicle assignments and upkeep, and a multitude of reporting requirements.  John was also a local police union president with collective bargaining and negotiating experience. John knows how to manage people and is dedicated to supporting the needs and wishes of the majority of Old Lyme’s citizens.  These skills and attributes make John the ideal First Selectman choice for Old Lyme in November.

Jude has resided in Old Lyme for 43 years, along with her husband, Sloan Danenhower, and both of their children graduated from our Lyme/Old Lyme schools.  Jude has owned several small business and she is currently a business management consultant.  She is deeply involved in Old Lyme, both politically and with local non-profits.  She currently serves as one of the three members of the Old Lyme Board of Selectmen.  She also served on the Board of Finance and the Lyme/Old Lyme Board of Education. She is a member and past Treasurer of the MacCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation and has been a Board member of the Old Lyme Historical Society.  She has been affiliated with the Girl Scouts and the Lymes’ Senior Center Meals on Wheels program.

John and Jude are willing and able to serve as our First Selectman and Selectwoman and they have excellent credentials to do so.

Please join me in voting for John Mesham as our First Selectman and Jude Read as our Selectwoman in the upcoming municipal election and please encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Sincerely,

Timothy Griswold,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is a candidate for the Old Lyme Board of Assessment Appeals in the upcoming election.