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Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden Transforms Food Waste Into Luscious Compost

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The valuable compost being made by the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden is shown above after its first turning as it starts heating up again.

OLD LYME — If you were a contestant on “Chopped” or “Iron Chef”, what would you do with a basket of coffee grounds, banana peels, egg shells and other kitchen castoffs?  

When the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) threw this daunting challenge to its microbial chefs, they responded by cooking up a dish of sumptuous compost. 

In early March 2023, residents of the Library Lane neighborhood were invited to drop their household plant-based food waste at the home of Jim Ward, who is also the LOLFSG president.  Since that time, approximately a dozen families have donated more than 350 pounds of cooking scraps. All the delectable tidbits are transported to the LOLFSG for incorporation into the garden’s compost system, where they are mixed with leaf litter and feasted upon by bacteria. 

Unlike a TV cooking show, it will take months rather than minutes to create the final product.

Yet, a few short weeks from the inception of the project, the household organic matter has begun its transformation into luscious compost that will serve as a natural fertilizer for LOLFSG garden beds.

All produce from the garden, a fully volunteer organization, is donated to local food pantries.

In an effort to expand food waste recycling, the LOLFSG has installed a food waste collection bin onsite.  The container is located outside the main gate of the garden, which is situated behind the field house at Town Woods Park.  Residents are encouraged to drop any plant-based food waste such as any part of fruits and vegetables, coffee grounds and stale bread.  No meat or dairy products please!  

The collection bin is one of two repurposed trash containers donated by the Town of Old Lyme. 

The second is not yet being utilized for food waste recycling, but is available.  If you are interested in spearheading food waste collection in your neighborhood, please contact Jim Ward at jimdub@gmail.com.

The LOLFSG has installed a food waste collection bin onsite at Town Woods Park. Residents are encouraged to drop off any plant-based food waste in it.

‘The Bowerbird’ Presents $3.6K Check From 2022 Gift Wrap Program to Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden, Announces 2023 Recipient

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Chris Kitchings, owner of ‘The Bowerbird’ (right), is on hand as a Bowerbird staff member presents a check for $3,605.00 to Jim Ward (second from left), founder of the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden, Inc. The funds donated by ‘The Bowerbird’ were raised through the store’s gift-wrap program.

OLD LYME — The Bowerbird of Old Lyme has selected the recipient of the proceeds from their 2023 gift-wrap program as A Place Called Hope. This organization is a non-profit, volunteer organization with the goal of teaching the public how to protect and respect wildlife, in particular raptors. The Bowerbird donation program runs from Nov. 1, 2022 through Oct. 31, 2023. 

The Bowerbird recently wrapped up their 2022 gift-wrapping campaign to raise funds Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden, Inc.(LOLFSG.)  A check in the amount of $3,605.00 representing 2,064 packages wrapped was presented to the LOLFSG’s founder Jim Ward. The Bowerbird charges a nominal fee for gift-wrapping purchases and donates 50 percent to local non-profit organizations. 

The Bowerbird pioneered ‘cause’ marketing when they created their gift wrap donation program in 1992. In the past 28 years, The Bowerbird has donated over $104,000 to 33 statewide and local non- profits proving that small businesses can make a difference.

For a complete listing of past recipients, visit www.thebowerbird.com.

The Bowerbird is located at 46 Halls Rd. in Old Lyme. For more information about The Bowerbird, visit the store’s website or call 860-434-3562.

Death Announced of Douglas F. Woitowitz, 59; Brother of Mark of Old Lyme

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SOUTHINGTON — Douglas F. Woitowitz, 59, of Southington, passed away unexpectedly Thursday (May 11, 2023) at the Hospital of Central CT at Bradley Memorial in Southington …

Surviving is his longtime companion of 31 years, Debora (Bokanoski) Olsen; five sons … two brothers, Mark Woitowitz and his wife Sally of Old Lyme; and Christopher Woitowitz and his wife Sherry of Neosho, MO; 5 grandchildren …

Funeral services are Tuesday (May 16, 2023) 10 AM at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain …

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Klingberg Family Centers, 370 Linwood Street, New Britain, CT 06052 …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published by the Carlson Funeral Home.

Death of James Driscoll Griffin, 97, Announced, ‘a Tireless Optimist’; Memorial Gathering Planned in Lyme, June 24

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James Driscoll Griffin
Jan 31, 1926 – May 14, 2023

LYME — James Driscoll Griffin, aged 97, died peacefully around sunrise on Sunday, May 14th, 2023. He had been recovering at home on Grassy Hill Road in Lyme from a severe stroke a year earlier. He was surrounded by family.

Jim was the eldest of seven children, born in 1926 in West Lafayette, Indiana. The family soon moved to Evanston,  outside of Chicago, where he attended Evanston High School. He joined the Navy in 1943, did officer training at the University of Notre Dame, and served in the Far East. Discharged in 1945, he returned to Notre Dame as part of the V12 program, completed his degrees, and won an NCAA tennis national championship along the way. After graduating, he continued as a part time member of the Navy Submarine division in Chicago. 

He built a successful career in the international food business, and was a firm believer in the importance of good corporate citizenship, especially during the upheaval of the civil rights era. His work took him to many parts of the world where he established what would become lifelong friendships. 

Soon after marrying Jane Bingham, New York City became home, and they raised four children in the public schools of Manhattan and Apartment 2M– an address memorized by scores of traveling friends and family across the years. In the late 1960s, through a serendipitous friendship with Francis Rosseau of Lyme, Grassy Hill Road offered Jim and Jane a verdant alternative for the next half-century.

Jim’s Catholic faith was always a source of strength. He worshiped at Saint Vincent Ferrer in Manhattan and at Christ the King church in Old Lyme, and made many friends among his fellow congregants, and the community of priests and sisters. He believed in the important but unfulfilled role of the laity in governance of the church and was particularly committed to increasing and improving the role of women in the church. He served on the board of Union Theological Seminary where he was one of its first Catholic directors, and he was an early and active member of Voices of the Faithful, a global effort to bring the church into the 21st century.

The world of the arts, and especially choral and sacred music, was his passion, and he served on the board of Musica Sacra, one of New York’s premier choral ensembles. He was a jazz aficionado, and it gave him great pleasure when Notre Dame, at his suggestion, conferred its highest honor, the Laetare Medal, to the legendary pianist Dave Brubeck in 2006.

Jim simultaneously eschewed and marveled at cell phones and I-Pads and modern gadgetry. In the end, he was a people person, and always preferred the landline, the mailman, and newsprint. Jim was a tireless optimist who believed deeply in our capacity for Good. His wife and four children, his daughters-in-law, his grandchildren and his siblings and extended family were integral parts of his daily thoughts and actions. 

He illuminated the room, and will be missed by many. A memorial gathering will be held at the Grassy Hill Congregational Church on June 24th at 11 a.m.  All are welcome. (In lieu of flowers, contributions will be gratefully received by Jim’s favorite choral ensemble, Voices of Ascension.)

Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Named 2022-23 CT Middle School of the Year

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Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School has been named CT Middle School of the Year.

OLD LYME — The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) has announced that Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS) has been selected as the Middle School of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year. This recognition highlights the exceptional commitment of the school, its staff, and the entire community to providing an outstanding middle school education that fosters academic growth and social-emotional development.

In its announcement of the award, Tiffany Caouette, CAS Assistant Executive Director states, “One of the remarkable aspects of LOLMS is its strong emphasis on involving parents and the community to support student learning and healthy development. Throughout the school year, LOLMS hosts multiple events where community members can participate and engage with the school and its students. Events such as the National History Day Showcase, Career Day, Wellness Day, and Spring into the Arts provide opportunities for families and community members to contribute and support student learning.”

She continues, “Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School also offers exceptional academic support to students. The Learning Labs program provides tiered intervention support, including Academic Lab and Math Connections, to help students develop essential executive functioning skills and address math skill gaps. Regular updates and additional support from teachers ensure that students receive the personalized attention they need to succeed.”

Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Principal, Mark Ambruso.

The announcement notes that a key characteristic of LOLMS is its continuous effort to review and improve educational programming. Through Learning Walks and classroom observations, teachers have the opportunity to learn from their colleagues and enhance their instructional practices. The school has also conducted a comprehensive review of its SRBI (Scientific Research-Based Interventions) program, incorporating best practices and refining intervention strategies to ensure all students receive an appropriately challenging education.

Caouette says, “Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School prioritizes the significance of fostering healthy relationships and emotional support for students.” She elaborates by explaining, “Through counseling services, daily recess, and initiatives such as Pursuits, the advisory program where students are assigned to multi-age groups by interest in order to participate in shared activities such as wood-burning and reading books to preschool students, students are encouraged to connect with trusted adults, develop friendships, and maintain a healthy balance in their lives.”

Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Principal Mark Ambruso was thrilled to receive the award. He commented, “The Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School faculty, staff, students, and communities are honored to receive this recognition. We work diligently so that our students receive the highest quality education and are provided with the experiences and skills necessary to achieve their academic and career potential. We strive to provide a middle school experience that meets the needs of the whole child in an environment that emphasizes kindness and hard work.”

Caouette concludes, “The School of the Year recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire LOLMS staff, students, families, and the community. Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School’s commitment to educational excellence, community engagement, and creating a safe and supportive environment sets an exceptional standard for schools across Connecticut and nationwide.”