Author Archives: Candace Fuchs

Lyme-Old Lyme Crew Wins State Championship

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Lyme-Old Lyme High School crew celebrates its success at the CT Public School State Championships held May 19 at Lake Waramaug in Litchfield.

‘Learn to Row Day’ Slated for Saturday at Rogers Lake, All Welcome

OLD LYME —On May 19, was your quiet Sunday evening interrupted by a cacophonous police escort of two school buses to the Fred Emerson Boathouse? It was the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) crew celebrating yet another success at the Connecticut Public School State Championships.

The Fred Emerson Boathouse, now in its third building opened in 2017, has been an incubator for rowing excellence for over 50 years. Started in 1965 on Blood Street by Fred Emerson, the organization initially known as Blood Street Sculls has cultivated national champions and Olympians since its inception. 

Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) crew operates out of the Fred Emerson Boathouse and is supported by Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA).

On Sunday, May 19, the LOLHS crew competed in the Connecticut Public School State Championships on Lake Waramaug in Litchfield. Lyme-Old Lyme High School crews won the four varsity races in four-person boats, returning the Hart Perry Points Trophy for excellence in fours to LOLHS.

Lyme-Old Lyme High School garners much of its excellence from our opportunity to introduce middle school students to the sport of rowing in the Summer after their 7th and 8th grade years. The Novice Boys Four includes three athletes, who learned to row in OLRA Summer programs, preparing them to start their first year of competitive rowing in July after their 8th grade year. Still in their first year of competitive rowing, these freshmen came on the high school rowing scene as talented oarsmen.

Having recently won Connecticut State Championships, they represented LOLHS at the prestigious NEIRA regatta on May 25 in Worcester, Mass.

Lyme-Old Lyme High School seniors proudly display the respective pennants for the colleges where they have chosen to continue their rowing careers.

Eight LOLHS graduating seniors are planning to continue rowing in college. College choices include Division One (U. Tennessee, U. Connecticut, U. Rhode Island and U. Southern Florida) and Division Three (Colby College and Bryn Mawr College) as well as Wentworth University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It is generally believed that making the transition to collegiate life, with the healthy lifestyle and strong friend group afforded by crew increases the probability of collegiate success.

Readers are recommended to look out for a banner at the corner of Grassy Hill and Boston Post Roads, honoring LOLHS/OLRA 2024 Olympians. Liam Corrigan will stroke the US Men’s Four and Ben Washburn will stroke the Para Mixed Four.

Join OLRA at the Emerson Boathouse for Learn To Row Day on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Summer programs for middle school students are currently open for enrollment.

Visit www.oldlymerowing.org to introduce your Middle School student to a passion, which will likely open doors, and keep them healthy for life.

Letter to the Editor: ‘Halls Rd. Overlay District’ Proposal is ‘Excellent,’ Merits Community Support at Monday’s OL Zoning Meeting

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To the Editor:

The Old Lyme Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet on January 9 to finally vote on the Halls Road Overlay District plan.

As a citizen of Old Lyme for nearly two decades, and a former member of the Economic Development Commission, I would like to voice my support for the excellent proposal from the Halls Road Improvement Committee.

Enhancement of our commercial district has been called out in the POCDs of 2010 and 2020. In addition, during my tenure on the Economic Development Commission we finalized the report from AdvanceCT, which specifically called out the need for a walkable, attractive commercial district to support a viable economic future for Old Lyme. In several places, the report highlighted the dearth of housing suitable for young couples and seniors. The need for multi-family housing (also called out by the Affordable Housing Committee) is crucial for the economic sustainability of our town, and this need can be addressed by the Halls Road Overlay District plan.

Many small towns in our region such as Chester, Old Saybrook, Essex and Mystic, offer attractive, walkable village districts for their residents. Niantic is actively developing their streetscape with the addition of Sift (a bakery), Five Churches by the Bay (a brewery) and other businesses to the Morton House complex. Further afield, Westerly has been transformed into a destination for eating and music, and Wakefield hosted a street fair this summer featuring local restaurants, and music on the river that runs through town. If Old Lyme is to continue to attract new residents, it would be necessary to offer amenities comparable to our neighbors.

Finally, I would like to commend the Halls Road Village District Commission for their tireless persistence and the high quality of their thorough work. It behooves the town to reward its work with support, and act on the call for development described in the three documents referenced here.

Sincerely,

Candace Fuchs,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Parks & Rec. Leaders Challenged Over Use of Old Lyme Ballfields by Private Entity That Brought in Hundreds of Out-of-Towners

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To the Editor:

Old Lyme Parks and Rec. Commission has dedicated much of their energy over the last few years, and particularly the last few months, to limiting the activities in Hains Park. Most recently, this has been executed under three guiding principles: limit the use of public property by private entities, limit the use of Old Lyme property by out-of-town people, namely residents of Lyme, CT and control the spread of COVID-19.

On June 27, lifeguards and parking attendants were stationed at Hains Park to control the influx of out of towners, and ensure social distancing, at taxpayer expense. On that particular Saturday, 3 out of town visitors were identified and barred entry, out of a total of 8 park users. Meanwhile, across town, at Cross Lane, chaos reigned. A private entity had commandeered our ball fields and brought in hundreds of ball-players from as far as the COVID epicenter of Westchester County.

Inquiries have not yet revealed a completed Parks Usage Form, as required by Parks and Recreation posted rules. No social distancing practices were detectable. The Emergency Management Director had not been notified, as has been required in May at Hains Park. Parking was so renegade as to impede the egress of Old Lyme emergency vehicles, stationed at that facility. When the situation was brought to the attention of a Park and Rec employee on Saturday, alternative parking was recommended, but the event was allowed to continue on Sunday without any mitigations.

This inconsistency brings into question the integrity of Parks and Recreation leadership. It is time that Old Lyme taxpayers are served by leadership who actually cares about parks and recreation.

Sincerely,

Candace Fuchs,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Kudos to Lamont for Banning Short-term Rentals, But Now Close the Beaches

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To the Editor:

Compliments go to Governor Ned Lamont for executive order 7T, prohibiting rentals with durations less than 32 days.

Putting the health of her full-time residents who work in the state’s hospitals and businesses, volunteer in her communities and fill her schools, ahead of the economic bounty of beach visitors who clog the roads and beaches, Governor Raimondo (RI) took bolder moves and closed the state’s beaches. Governor Raimondo proudly withstood the disdain of Governor Cuomo (NY), but came out stronger and bolder.

Confirmed COVID19 cases in RI are 1.6 per 1000 residents. Connecticut (currently at 2.7 cases per 1000 residents) also needs the protection from an onslaught of summer visitors, afforded by executive order 7T. Statistical models show that incomplete restraints now will result in revisiting another onslaught of coronavirus in September whose scope would obviate Spring efforts to ‘Flatten the curve’. Moreover, national sentiment shows we would rather suffer a few more weeks of confinement and economic lethargy, than revisit another onslaught of coronavirus in September.

We should respect the dedication of our healthcare workers by elevating social distancing over economic gain . Stand by Governor Lamont and executive order 7T by enforcing the order and closing beaches.

Sincerely,

Candace Fuchs,
Old Lyme.

Letter to the Editor: Democrat Pugliese Represents a Fresh, Viable Alternative in House 23rd District Race

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To the Editor:

Matt Pugliese offers a refreshing, non-partisan voice in the state House of Representatives for Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. Matt brings business experience from the non-profit sector where he has managed tight budgets and competing union interests to deliver theatrical arts to communities in Middletown and at U Conn. Matt has been recognized for his business acumen by the Hartford Business Journal 40 under 40.

As a resident of Old Saybrook raising a young family, Matt knows first hand the importance of supporting education, working women and families. With his courage to speak up for policies that make sense, Matt has earned the endorsements of Moms Demand Gun Sense, CT Chapter of National Organization of Women and Planned Parenthood.

Connecticut has distinguished itself as a leader in gun control and voting equality. To retain these advances, our legislature needs to be controlled by those willing to stand up for these values. Connecticut needs to become a leader in business and the arts. Matt Pugliese has the experience and fortitude to be our next leader.

Sincerely,

Candace Fuchs,
Old Lyme.