One of the signature pieces in the New England Landscape exhibition at the Lyme Art Association is ‘In the Place of Stillness’, pictured above, by Aleta Gudelski in cold wax and oil.
OLD LYME — The New England Landscape exhibition featuring works by Lyme Art Association (LAA) Member Artists is currently on view at the LAA.
This annual exhibition celebrates the rich and varied beauty of the East Coast. From autumn leaves to summer trees and lonely roads to rolling hills, LAA member artists visually explored their connection to this land. Gallery visitors will experience the artwork on display through an array of mediums, which acknowledge New England’s many moods and views.
Running concurrently is Connecticut Pastel Society’s Renaissance in Pastel. The Connecticut Pastel Society is a fine arts organization that draws awareness to pastel as an artistic medium. The Society’s annual national show celebrating the beauty of pastel is on view in the LAA’s gallery.
Also, on view from Oct. 16—24 is the Plein Air Art Group Show. Throughout the spring and summer, LAA’s Plein Air Painting Group painted in and around Old Lyme and their pieces capturing the town’s beauty will be on display in this show for visitors.
New England Landscape and the Connecticut Pastel Society’s Renaissance in Pastel are on view from Sept. 13 – Oct. 24.
New England Landscape is supported by Guilford Savings Bank in partnership with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County.
Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the LAA continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction, lectures, and other public programs to the community.
The LAA is located at 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT, in a building designed by architect Charles Adams Platt. Admission is free with contributions appreciated. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm, or by appointment.
Editor’s Notes: i) We have divided Part Two of Thomas Gotowka’s essay into three sections. We published Section 1 on Sept. 13 at this link and will publish Section 3 on Thursday, Sept. 19. ii) This is the opinion of Thomas D. Gotowka.
Tom Gotowka
Access Hollywood Interview
On Oct. 7, 2016, The Washington Post published an article on TV host Billy Bush’s 2005 taped conversation with then-candidate Trump on a bus on the way to film an episode of “Access Hollywood.” Trump described how his celebrity status allowed him to force himself on women in lewd and explicit language. He summarized his “approach” with, “I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.”
The interview prompted several women to come forward with accusations about his past inappropriate sexual conduct, which he dismissed as “locker room talk,” disputing the accusers’ claims.
Note that I don’t do X-rated, so you will have to find the full interview elsewhere on the internet.
Dancing with Despots
In late-September 2018, Trump told the crowd at a West Virginia rally, “There was once tough talk back and forth between him and North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, and then we fell in love; No, really!” Trump continued, “He wrote me beautiful letters. And they’re great letters. And then we fell in love.”
Apparently, the love is unrequited. North Korean state media dismissed Trump’s claims of friendship with leader Kim Jong Un this past July.
This year, Trump said that “the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, was much better than the Congressional Medal of Honor (see Part 1).
Trump has said that he trusts Russian president Vladimir Putin more than the “lowlifes,” who work in U.S. intelligence. He referenced comments he gave after meeting with Putin in 2018 in Helsinki, Finland, where he said that he didn’t “see any reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 election, despite what the FBI reported.”
In June 2019, Trump told George Stephanopoulos in an Oval Office interview that he would consider accepting damaging information about his political rivals from foreign nations.
In August 2024,Trump congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin for having made another great deal in the recent prisoner swap, “Did you see the deal we made?”hetold the crowd at an Atlanta rally as he criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the trade; and said the prisoner exchange led to the release of, “Some of the greatest killers” in the world. He also said that the prisoner deal included payments to Russia, saying that he had secured the release of “59 hostages” during his tenure and “never paid anything;”
Note that despite what Trump said, no money was exchanged and no sanctions were loosened as part of the recent exchange. Also note that it was a complicated exchange; and in total, 26 people and seven countries were involved.
Trump’s claim that he “never paid anything” to secure the freedom of American prisoners is also untrue. While Trump did obtain or helped to obtain the release of some Americans held abroad without having to release anyone in return, he also presided over at least four exchanges in which he approved the release of prisoners from U.S. detention in exchange for foreign governments releasing Americans.
Trump has repeatedly been criticized for siding with Putin both as president and since he left the White House. In 2018 following his defense of the Russian president in Helsinki, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said, “In the entire history of our country, Americans have never seen a president of the United States support an American adversary” in the way Trump has Putin.
Trump University
Despite its name, Trump University (Trump U) was not a licensed or accredited university. It offered no degrees, nor were its students eligible for federal financial aid.
Trump U. pitched various real estate and entrepreneurship courses that were marketed as providing insider knowledge and practical skills; but the organization faced criticism for not delivering.
Students alleged that Trump U., which was open from 2005 until it ceased operations in 2010, used false advertising and high-pressure sales techniques to lure them to free investor workshops at which they were sold expensive seminars and told they would be mentored by real estate gurus, with costs ranging from $1,495 for a three-day seminar to $35,000 for the “Gold Elite” program.
Trump faced two lawsuits in California and one in New York, brought by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. They were folded into one class action suit after the 2016 election.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco finalized the $25 million settlement after it was first approved in March 2017, following an appeal by Sherri Simpson, a Florida woman, who said she spent about $19,000 on workshops. Simpson had wanted to opt out of the class action suit to pursue a separate suit against Trump, but her request was rejected over concern that more independent litigation would derail the class action deal.
The lawsuits had alleged that Trump U.’s nationwide seminars were like infomercials, constantly pressuring people to spend more and, in the end, failing to deliver. Political rivals used Trump’s depositions and extensive documents filed in the lawsuits to portray him as dishonest and deceitful.
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel said the agreement represents an “extraordinary amount” of money for customers to recover. Plaintiff attorneys say about 3,730 people will get at least 90 percent of their money back.
Trump had fueled the issues by repeatedly assailing Curiel, insinuating that the Indiana-born judge’s Mexican heritage exposed a bias.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said of the final settlement: “This settlement marked a stunning reversal by PresidentTrump, who for years refused to compensate the victims of his ‘sham’ university.’ “
Trump Foundation Shut Down
The New York Attorney General announced in November 2019 that, “Given the Trump Foundation’s egregious pattern of illegality, including repeatedly using charitable assets for unlawful purposes, the Foundation has agreed to dissolve itself under judicial supervision.” As part of the settlement,Trump was ordered to pay eight separate charities $250,000 each from funds remaining in the Foundation’s Bank Account.
“Charities are not a means to an end, which is why these damages speak to Trump’s abuse of power and represent a victory for not-for-profits that follow the law.” Additionally, Trump was required to agree to 19 admissions, acknowledging his personal misuse of funds at the Foundation.
The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleged that the president and his three eldest children, who served as members of the foundation’s board, repeatedly used charitable donations for personal, political and business gains, including legal settlements, campaign contributions and even to purchase a portrait of Trump to hang at one of his hotels.
About the Author: Tom Gotowka is a resident of Old Lyme, whose entire adult career has been in healthcare. He will sit on the Navy side at the Army/Navy football game. He always sit on the crimson side at any Harvard/Yale contest. He enjoys reading historic speeches and considers himself a scholar of the period from FDR through JFK. A child of AM Radio, he probably knows the lyrics of every rock and roll or folk song published since 1960. He hopes these experiences give readers a sense of what he believes “qualify” him to write this column.
Boy’s Soccer On Monday, Sept. 16, Old Saybrook defeated Old Lyme 3-0. Coached by Allyson Gleason, the Wildcats were playing at home and their record now stands at 2-4-0.
Casey DeAngelo, Reggie Duque and Christain Dutra scored for Saybrook. Carlos Velez Torres made four saves for Old Saybrook while Sam Edmed made 11 for Old Lyme.
Old Lyme’s record is now 2-4-0.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, Granby Memorial defeated Old Lyme 3-1 at Granby Memorial High School. Charlie McEwen scored for Old Lyme off an assist by Judah Waldo while Calvin Olsen, Ben DeDegallo and Max Kantner scored for Granby.
Old Lyme’s Sam Edmed made 10 saves while Landon Filmore of Granby notched four.
Girl’s Soccer
On Saturday, Sept. 14, Granby Memorial defeated Old Lyme 4-2 with the Wildcats playing at home. Former Wildcat star player Caroline Wallace is now in her first year as Old Lyme’s coach.
Granby’s Cassandra Earl scored a hattrick with Sarah Slade contributing the fourth. Mia Crunden gave one assist.
Olivia Kelly in goal for the Wildcats made 16 saves.
Old Lyme’s record is now 3-2.
Girl’s Volleyball
On Monday, Sept. 16, Morgan defeated Old Lyme 3-0 with game scores of 21-25, 18-25, 13-25. Playing away, Wildcats Maya LeQuire had 8 kills, Stella Young made 4 aces and Sophia D’Angelo had 13 digs.
Old Lyme is now 2-4 in both the league and overall, Erin Crayton is the longtime girl’s volleyball coach.
On Friday, Sept. 13, Old Lyme beat Cromwell 3-1 with game scores of 21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21. Playing at home, Wildcats Maya LeQuire had 7 aces and 11 kills, Katie Ferman made 11 assists and Molly Boardman had 14 digs.
OLD LYME—Laurence E. Plouffe, 77, of Old Lyme died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. He was born May 10, 1947, in New London to Edmund and Helen Good Plouffe …
… Larry was predeceased by his parents; and his former in-laws, Bill and Nuzzy Packer. He was the proud father of Julie Plouffe (Malik) of Clinton, Michael Plouffe of Old Lyme; grandfather to Reece Smith (Ta’Nazha); and great-grandfather to 6-month-old twin girls, I’mani and I’vori. He also leaves his ex-wife and friend, Judy Packer Plouffe; his brother Robert Plouffe (Peggy); and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be missed by everyone.
Byles Funeral Home in New London is assisting the family with arrangements. There will not be any services. Donations in Larry’s memory may be made to United Way, Gemma E. Moran Food Center, PO Box 375, Gales Ferry, CT 06335 or Connecticut Humane Society, 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill, CT 06375.
OLD SAYBROOK—On Saturday, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) officials identified the bodies recovered on Friday, subsequent to the previous Monday’s tragic boating accident, as 25-year-old Ian Duchemin, of Oakdale, and 24-year-old Ryan Britagna, of Waterford..
