Author Archives: Admin

Death Announced of John A. Russo, Jr., 91, of Old Lyme, US Army Veteran, Meteorologist

Posted on by
Reply

OLD LYME—John A. Russo, Jr., 91, of Old Lyme, formerly of Newington, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Janssen) Russo …

John honorably served the country in the U.S. Army. John received a BS degree in Meteorology from City College NY and a Masters in Meteorology from University of AZ and an MBA degree in Business from UConn. He began his working career as a Meteorologist, statistician and researcher …

He was a member of Newington UNICO, and Christ the King Church in Old Lyme …

A loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, John leaves his children John A. Russo III, Vincent Russo, Melanie Scelza and her husband Frank, Stefanie Russo, Scott Russo, Michele Nanci, and his grandchildren … and his great-grandchildren …

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, February 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, followed by a service with military honors at 11:00 a.m. He and Barbara will be laid to rest privately in the CT State Veteran Cemetery in Middletown …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published by WFSB on Feb. 12, 2025.

Lyme-Old Lyme HS Students Brave Freezing Temperatures to Build Bench for OL Open Space Commission

Posted on by
Reply
Justifiably proud of their work, these Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) students, who are all members of the Environmental Club, stand behind the just-constructed bench in its new location at Rook’s Meadow Open Space in Old Lyme. Fizz, the mini-Australian Shepherd, who sits in pride of place, is owned by Open Space Commission member Andrea Fenton, who assisted with the project. All photos by A. Fenton.

OLD LYME—The Old Lyme Open Space Commission has been busy recently!

On Jan. 26, some 10 members of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Environmental Club assembled a bench following the design of others already constructed on various Old Lyme Land Trust properties. Karen Taylor, who is a tutor at LOLHS, is the advisor for the Environmental Club.

These LOLHS Environmental Club members worked in freezing conditions to assemble the benches.

The students braved 30 degree weather to align and drill frames, which then supported the carefully-measured and spaced bench seat and back.

And they did it! Prior to placing the new seat in its final location at Rook’s Meadow Open Space, these hard-working students posed for a final photo on ‘their’ bench.

Some students helped place the new bench in the Rook’s Meadow Open Space in Old Lyme, where the existing cedar bench is still stable despite having lost its back!

Logan Landry Advances Towards Eagle Scout Status with Bridge Construction in Old Lyme’s Bartholomew Open Space

Posted on by
5
A job well done—Members of Lyme-Old Lyme Boy Scout Troop 26 relax after completion of the bridge-building project with some of the volunteers who assisted. All photos by Andrea Fenton.

LYME-OLD LYME—As part of his qualifications to gain the prestigious Eagle Scout honor, Logan Landry, a member of Lyme-Old Lyme Boy Scout Troop 26, designed a 25 ft. long bridge to be installed over a flooded—and hence closed—trail in Bartholomew Open Space in Old Lyme.

Moving the telegraph poles needed all hands on deck.

On Feb. 1, Landry successfully coordinated construction of the bridge. He was assisted by several older and fellow Troop 26 Scouts including Ryan Ortoleva, who is already an Eagle Scout, and Charlie Zelek. Landry’s family, including his brother Brenden Landry—who is also an Eagle Scout— also assisted.

The work continued despite the icy conditions.A great dealmof measuring

Brenden had previously built several foot bridges on Old Lyme Land Trust property off Boggy Hole Rd. in the town.

A great deal of measuring was required to complete the project.

Also in attendance were Open Space Commission members Peter Norris, who serves as Head Steward, Evan Griswold, Joan Meek and Andrea Fenton. Mike Aurelia of the Old Lyme Inlands Wetlands Commission also joined the project.

Installing the final horizontal planks was a satisfying moment for all involved.

Material contributions, also coordinated by Logan, were made by Eversource (telephone poles), Middlesex Tree (locust logs), Beard Lumber (wood planks), Gregg Landry Plumbing and Heating, and Teddy’s Pizza (pizza for the crew.)

Success! Logan Landry stands atop his just-constructed bridge.

A spokesperson for the Old Lyme Open Space Commission commented, “The Commission is very proud of and grateful to Logan who initiated this project and allowed the Bartholomew Trail to be open once again.”

Old Lyme Girls Are Indoor Track Shoreline Conference Champions!

Posted on by
The Old Lyme Girls Indoor Track team secured first place in Friday’s 2025 Shoreline Conference championship. Photo credit: Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

NEW HAVEN, CT—Competing at the Floyd Little Athletic Center on Friday, Feb. 7, in New Haven, CT, the Old Lyme girls team won the Indoor Track Shoreline Conference Championship. Haddam-Killingworth (H-K) came in second place and Cromwell third.

Key Old Lyme results for 1st team All-Conference-Girls were as follows:

  • Serena Mazzi: 1st place 55m dash 7.55, 1st place long jump 16’5.25″, 2nd place 300m 44.17
  • Tabitha Colwell: 1st place 4 x 200m  1:55.18, 2nd place long jump 15’6″, 3rd place girls 55m 7.80
  • Zoe Eastman-Grossel: 1st place 4x200m 1:55.18, 1st place 600m 1:43.81, 1st place 300m 40.81 (meet record)
  • Kate Walsh: 1st place 4 x 200m 1:55.18, 2nd place 600m 1:44.66, 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 4:48.31
  • Chase Gilbert: 1st place 1000m 3:02.39, 1st place 1600m 5:11.66, 1st place 3200m 11:22.21
  • Lane Lopes: 1st place 4 x 200m 1:55.18, 1st place Sprint Medley Relay (SMR) 1600m Relay 4:48.31
  • Gabrielle Field: 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 4:48.31
  • Magdalena Tooker: 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 4:48.31

The Old Lyme boys team finished fifth in their championship. The winners were Cromwell followed by H-K.

Key Old Lyme results for 1st team All-Conference-Boys were as follows:

Tyler Cann: 1st play shot put 52’4″
Patrick Lynch: 1st place 55m dash 6.68, 1st place long jump 22’7″ (meet record)
Rowen Mesiener: 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 3:57.38
Aidan Carpentino: 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 3:57.38
Kevork Shegirian: 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 3:57.38
Ryan Ortoleva: 1st place SMR 1600m Relay 3:57.38

Honorable Mention-Boys
Carson St. Louis: 3rd place pole vault 9’6″

Death of Janice Montanaro Announced: Mother of Andrew ‘Monty’ Montanaro of Old Lyme, Marc & Michael

Posted on by
Reply

HIGHLAND BEACH, FL & OLD LYME, CT—Janice Montanaro, 76, of Highland Beach, FL and Old Lyme, CT, passed away peacefully at her home on February 2, 2025.

Born on August 25, 1948, in New Britain, CT, she was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Predeceased by her husband, Andrew ‘Drew’ Montanaro, … She is survived by her children Andrew ‘Monty’ Montanaro and wife MaryJo of Old Lyme, CT, Marc Montanaro and his wife Kelli of Fairfield, CT, and Michael Montanaro and his wife Elizabeth of Portsmouth, RI. Janice was a devoted grandmother to Mikaela, Aidan, Eiley, Oscar, Cameron, Spencer, Samuel and Georgiana, who all brought endless joy to her life …

A memorial of life will be celebrated at a later date in Connecticut, where friends and family will gather to honor and remember Janice’s remarkable life.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published Feb. 5, 2025 on Legacy.com.