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FRA High Speed Train Route Proposal Update: Two Important Letters Released; One From Malloy, Second From All State DOT Heads in Northeast

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Governor Dannel Malloy

In what SECoast.org accurately describes as “a flurry of news in the last 24 hours,” a host of letters and newspaper articles has been published regarding the Federal Rail Administration (FRA)’s proposed high speed rail route, which, in combination, offer some reason to be cautiously optimistic about where things are going.

Governor Dannel Malloy has written a four-page letter to the FRA asking, among many other requests, for the Old Saybrook to Kenyon bypass to be removed from consideration saying, “No specific alignments of of the the existing Connecticut NEC right of way should appear in the ROD” (NEC is the North East Corridor and the ROD is the Record of Decision, which was originally due March 1, but is now expected later in the month). Malloy continues firmly, “Connecticut elected officials and citizens have been very clear about this throughout the EIS process.” (The EIS is the Environmental Impact Statement.)

A second letter  to the FRA signed by the head of every state Department of Transportation in the Northeast (Conn., Del., Maine, DC, Md., Mass., Pa., RI, Vt., and NJ), except New York, which includes the same request regarding the bypass as Malloy’s letter, has also been published .

SECoast.org has published a comprehensive summary, which includes the two letters mentioned above as well as all the remaining press activity, at this link.  We urge our readers to take a look at this extremely informative article.

 

Help Old Lyme Land Trust Celebrate 50 Years at Their Annual Meeting, April 3

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With warm weather’s return, it’s a great time to get out and take a walk!

The John Lohmann Connecticut River Preserve is one of the 13 preserves in Old Lyme owned and managed by the Old Lyme Land Trust, where the public can walk and explore nature.

Thanks to the Old Lyme Land Trust (OLTT), you can do that at any of 13 preserves right here in town. Check out breathtaking views of the water from the shorefront ledges at the Karter Watch Rock Preserve, or stroll through the fields to see the river from Whaleback Rock in the Lohmann Connecticut River Preserve. Look for ladyslipper orchids or listen for frogs – just pick a nearby preserve and you really can’t lose.

Since 1966, OLLT has preserved over 1,000 acres of Old Lyme, and more than 500 of them have marked trails, open to the public. The land trust is a non-profit organization, independent of town government, so it is the people of Old Lyme who have really saved these spaces, through their generous donations of land, time, and money.

The Old Lyme Land Trust invites you to join them as they kick off celebrating 50 years of local conservation, by joining members and friends at the Old Lyme Land Trust Annual Meeting. The event is from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, at the Lymes’ Senior Center, at 126 Town Woods Road, in Old Lyme. Photographs from the annual land trusts’ photo contest will be on display and refreshments provided.

This year’s keynote speaker is Glenn Dreyer, Director of the Connecticut College Arboretum. His talk will be on “Invasive Species: Issues and Management”. The Nature Conservancy has stated that the threat of invasive species to global ecosystems rivals that of climate change, yet many folks remain unaware. Most invasive plants are very attractive, but the damage they do to ecosystems is devastating. Prof. Dreyer will discuss the issue and explain what can be done to help stem this increasing problem.

‘Essex Meadows’ Named One of Best Retirement Homes in Nation by US News & World Report

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ESSEX – Essex Meadows Health Center, part of the continuum of Essex Meadows Life Care Community, is celebrating an 8th consecutive year of being rated as one of the top health services and skilled nursing providers in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Essex Meadows Health Center scored a 5-Star rating on all points of the survey, one of the most trusted in the country. Based on the scoring criteria, the center rated in the top 13 percent of skilled nursing and senior health care providers across the nation.

“We’re extremely humbled and honored by this distinction,” said associate executive director Kathleen Dess. “Our residents can go on knowing they live in one of the best retirement environments nationwide, and our team members can enjoy some well-deserved recognition for the work they do each day.”

The work Dess refers to has included Essex Meadows Health Center leading the way on an innovative program known as Reading 2 Connect, which has shown proven results in the area of helping those with various forms of dementia continue to enjoy a passion for reading.

Additionally, the community has been involved in programs like the Audubon’s Bird Tales, allowing them to make use of the nearly 1,000-acre preserve located nearby, and the Music and Memory program for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

“The 5-Star rating is really about getting things right for our residents in every aspect of quality living,” said Dess. “From providing unparalleled food quality in our dining room to the short-term rehab we offer, our team members are truly among the best in the field of senior living.”

The U.S. News and World Report ratings are based on information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Editor’s Note: Since 1988, Essex Meadows has provided a lifestyle of dignity, freedom, independence and security to older adults from Connecticut and beyond. A community offering full life care, Essex Meadows, located conveniently on the Connecticut River near the mouth of Long Island Sound, prides itself on a financially responsible and caring atmosphere. Essex Meadows is managed by Life Care Services®™, a leading provider in life care, retirement living. For more information on Essex Meadows, visit the community’s website or call 860-767-7201.

Nature, Landscape Photographer Speaks at CT Valley Camera Club Meeting

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‘Chena River ice’ is an example of Paul Nguyen’s photography. He is the speaker at the next CVCC meeting on March 6.

The March 6 meeting of the Connecticut Valley Camera Club (CVCC) will feature a presentation by Paul Nguyen, a Fine Art Nature and Landscape Photographer from Hanson, Mass.  The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Lymes’ Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Rd., Old Lyme, CT.

This is how the photographer describes his presentation: “When the sun goes down, skilled photographers know the fun is just beginning. Long exposures in low light conditions reveal a whole new world of color, texture, and artistry previously hidden to the naked eye, and advances in sensor technology are making it easier to make great night images with every generation of camera.”

Join New England-based professional photographer Paul Nguyen to learn about the principles and camera settings behind several kinds of low light photography: Long exposures of landscapes at twilight; night images of the starry sky; and “star trail” exposures.”

To see more of Nguyen’s work, visit his website at: www.paulnguyenphoto.com

CVCC meeting dates, speakers / topics and other notices are published on the club’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CTValleyCameraClubPage/.

Last Night to See Musical-Comedy-Whodunit ‘Curtains’ at Lyme-Old Lyme HS, Final Performance Tomorrow 2pm

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The cast of the show-within-the-show mourns the loss of their leading lady. All photos by Ellen Cole.

Apparently the opening couple of nights of ‘Curtains’ have been a huge success, so ticket sales are expected for the two remaining performances are expected to be strong. Don’t miss the chance to see this great production — reserved seats are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased online at http://tinyurl.com/hjvw7yc or at the door.

Songwriting team Georgia (Maria Donato) and Aaron (Dan Cole), along with show investor Oscar (Sean Spina) and producer Carmen (Callie Kotzan) read a review of their show. All photos by Ellen Cole.

The Old Lyme Players’ production of Curtains, a musical comedy whodunit from the creators of Cabaret and Chicago. Curtains plays tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 5, at 2 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) in Old Lyme.

The cast of Curtains features 40 Lyme–Old Lyme High School students, with another 20 involved in the crew, pit orchestra, and production staff.

It’s 1959, and opening night at Boston’s Colonial Theatre for Robbin’ Hood! — the flawed show-within-the-show at the center of Curtains. Robbin’ Hood’s untalented leading lady has been murdered, and the entire company is under suspicion as Boston police detective Frank Cioffi investigates the crime.

Detective Frank Cioffi (Ben Jackson) flirts with ingénue Niki (Lauren Mitchell).

But Cioffi may be more interested in saving the show than finding the murderer! Meanwhile, the body count is rising …

Luc Bolduc, Phil Sweeney, and Liam Clark perform in the big number of the show-within-the-show.

The composers and producers of the show-within-the-show (Sean Spina, Callie Kotzan, Maria Donato, Dan Cole) wonder ‘what kind of man’ could be a theater critic.

Curtains opened on Broadway in 2007, starring David Hyde Pierce (Frasier, Spamalot) as Cioffi, for which he won the Tony Award for best actor in a musical. It ran for more than 500 performances.

The Old Lyme Players’ production is directed by LOLHS teacher James Motes with choreography by Bethany Haslam (director of the Dance Center of Old Lyme), and orchestral direction by LOLHS band teacher Jacob Wilson.

The cast features 38 LOLHS students, with another 20 students involved in the production’s stage crew and pit orchestra.

Lyme–Old Lyme High School is located at 69 Lyme Street, Old Lyme.

The school and auditorium are fully accessible, and there is ample parking.