OLD LYME — Polly Anne (Bowes) Bekaert, 88, of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Mary Casey Pike; her son John Paul … She is predeceased by her husband Eugene Charles; her son Peter Charles …
… she met her future husband, Eugene. They were happily married Oct. 31, 1959…. It was in 1968 that they purchased a cottage at White Sand Beach in Old Lyme. It was here that Miss Polly used to spend her summers with her family as a child and would continue to do so with her own family.
… In the summer, they would return to Old Lyme to spend wonderful times with family and their many friends. Then Polly and Gene decided to make Old Lyme, their permanent residence. Miss Polly started a book club for all of the “ladies” and enjoyed many wonderful afternoons with the “ladies” at the beach and their many social events.
Friends and family are invited to calling hours from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. Burial will follow in Duck River Cemetery, 12 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme …
The outgoing Old Lyme Board of Selectmen shares a final moment together. From left to right, incoming First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, retiring First Selectman Tim Griswold and former Selectman Matt Ward. All photos by Katie Balocca.
OLD LYME — Multiple farewells to retiring Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold were held during the past two weeks.
State Rep. Devin Carney (R) presented Griswold with a state citation acknowledging his lengthy service to the Town of Old Lyme.
Griswold served a total of 18 years in the Town’s top spot with 14 years as First Selectman from 1997 through 2011 and then again for another four years from 2019 through 2023. He did not run for re-election this year.
Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser acknowledged the support he had received from Griswold throughout his tenure as superintendent.
An event was held at the Old Lyme Country Club and then another last Tuesday in the Meeting Room at Old Lyme Town Hall.
Incoming First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker helped Griswold unravel the quilt.
This second ceremony was for the various local non-profits and Region 18 representatives to bid Griswold adieu.
Once unraveled, the quilt was clearly ‘a thing of beauty.’
Many of the non-profits created original quilt squares and then a quilt was sewn for Griswold, which was presented to him by incoming First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker at the event.
David Griswold spoke warmly of Tim Griswold’s work in Old Lyme’s VFW Post 1467.
Picking up on the quilt theme, Shoemaker commented in her first newsletter to the residents of Old Lyme that, “He (Griswold) truly is woven into the fabric of Old Lyme.”
Laurie Walker spoke on behalf of the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce and acknowledged Griswold’s contribution to that organization and the business community at large.
She added in the newsletter, “I personally thank him for the time he has provided to make this transition as smooth as possible in the First Selectman’s office.”
Karen Geisler represented both the Duck River Garden Club and the Lyme-Old Lyme Lions at the event. Griswold is a longtime member of the Lions.
NEW CANAAN, CONN. — Arthur Tappen Soper, 89, of New Canaan, died Wednesday, Nov. 15, at his home.
Born in Manhattan to Leslie Bliss Soper and Talia Fairchild Soper, he resided in Bronxville, N.Y., Kusnacht, Switzerland, and Lyme, Conn., before moving to New Canaan in 2018.
Tappen attended Trinity School in Manhattan, was a member of Lawrenceville School’s class of 1952, and Princeton University’s class of 1956, where he was in the Air Force ROTC and a member of Cottage Club.
After Princeton he was stationed in Bainbridge, Ga. and was part of the first class of pilots to have their primary training on the T-37 jets. It was in Bainbridge where he met the love of his life, Susan Brown. After finishing up his Airforce commitment as an air traffic controller in Greenland, Susan and Tappen were married in September of 1960 and moved to Bronxville.
He spent his entire career with The Bankers Trust Company. In 1979 the bank sent him to Switzerland where he spent the next 13 years as Managing Director and General Manager of Bankers Trust AG, the bank’s Zurich, and Geneva’s offices. His tenure in Switzerland afforded Susan and Tappen an opportunity to travel all over the world and make great friends with his international clients.
Demonstrating a lifelong belief in helping others, Tappen served as chairman of the Board of Governors for Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, N.Y., chairman of the Board for Andrus Home in Yonkers, N.Y., and while in Lyme he worked alongside his neighbors for the Pleasant Valley Association and Lyme Public Library.
Retiring from Bankers Trust AG in 1992, Tappen became a private investor and pursued his lifelong passion for flying. He purchased his beloved Mooney, a single-engine aircraft, in 1994 and eventually flew to 49 of 50 U.S. states. While his Mooney could not hold enough fuel to get him to Hawaii, he did pilot a small plane over the island of Maui while on vacation one year and was proud to say that he took off and landed in all 50 states. In June 1996 Tappen flew his plane across the country in one day, taking off near Southport, N.C. at dawn and landing in San Diego at sunset.
Tappen was devoted to his family and instilled the importance of hard work, honesty, and love of country. His earliest memory was hearing about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the radio from his family’s apartment on 88th Street in Manhattan. A gentleman to the end, he was loved and respected by all who met him.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Susan, daughter Laura (Scott) Budd of Norwalk CT, and son Benjamin (Marilyn) of Southington CT, as well as grandchildren Hunter, Davis and Caroline Budd.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National World War II Museum.
All ages can enjoy the beautiful Palette Christmas Trees at the ‘Holiday Magic’ exhibition at the Florence Griswold Museum.
OLD LYME — Celebrate the holidays at the Florence Griswold Museum with over 200 painted palettes on display in the Krieble Galleries, décor and artist trees in the historic house, gift shopping, and numerous special, seasonal events.
Holiday Magic 2023 opens at the museum today, Friday, Nov. 24, and is on show through Dec. 31. Opening hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year’s celebration features new twists on the traditional décor. Imagine a fictional mantel-decorating contest in the Griswold boarding house between the historic Lyme Art Colony artists. Inspired by their paintings, they rummage through their studios as well as old trunks in Miss Florence’s attic for festive objets d’art and holiday decorations. Miss Florence will announce the winner and awards ribbons on her birthday—Christmas Day.
There are now five palette trees to hold the more than 250 hand-painted palettes on display in this year’s ‘Holiday Magic’ exhibition.
Creatively crafted themed trees are also on display in the Griswold House. See a Scandinavian Christmas designed by FloGris Director of Development Matt Strekel, enjoy the handmade delights of Deep River ceramic artist Jana Rutty, and view the floral tree inspired by the Museum’s gardens by interior designer Stacey Danielson.
In addition to the traditional decorations, three Fantasy Trees add sparkle in the historic house and in the Krieble Gallery, more than 250 unique painted palettes adorn five Miss Florence’s Artist Trees. This year, artists from Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Hampshire contributed their painted, collaged, and carved creations.
Against the dramatic backdrop of the exhibition Abandon in Place: The Worlds of Anna Audette, the trees and their decorations make a powerful statement.
During ‘Holiday Magic’, visitors are invited to consider bringing non-perishable food and hygiene items for donation to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries.’
Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz (left) celebrates Old Lyme First Selectwoman-elect Martha Shoemaker after administering the Oath of Office to her in a ceremony held Sunday in Old Lyme Town Hall. All photos submitted.
OLD LYME — More than 70 people showed up Sunday (Nov. 19) to witness the swearing-in of Old Lyme’s newly-elected officials in the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Room. It was a warm, sunny afternoon and the meeting room was appropriately decorated for the event.
Old Lyme First Selectwoman-elect Martha Shoemaker (left) shares a smile with Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz after Bysiewicz conducted Shoemaker’s swearing-in ceremony.
Old Lyme Town Clerk Vicki Urbowicz normally reads the Oath to all the candidates-elect, but on this occasion, Connecticut’s Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz was in attendance to swear in Old Lyme First Selectwoman-elect Martha Shoemaker (D). Standing alongside Shoemaker as she took the solemn oath to the Constitution were her husband Scott and sons David, Tim, and Peter.
Old Lyme Town Clerk Vicki Urbowicz administers the Oath of Office to Old Lyme Selectman-elect Jim Lampos.
Urbowicz read the oath of office for the remainder of the incoming officials, asking each one to raise their right hand and swear to uphold their position to the best of their ability.
Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz gave opening remarks at the ceremony.
In opening remarks before she read the oath, Bysiewicz spoke about the brave service of the US Military, who made the right to choose our elected officials possible and asked all veterans present to stand up and be recognized.
US Military Veteran Doug Wilkinson celebrates the swearing in of all the incoming officials with his wife Lucy (left), Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee Chair Mary Jo Nosal (second from right), and Board of Finance member-elect Anna Reiter (right).
Additionally, she honored the families of the elected officials for their support of their civic-minded family member. Bysiewicz concluded that it is no longer about party for these officials, but rather it is about committing to work for the future of Old Lyme.
Planning Commissioner-elect Howard Margules stands with his wife Mary Jo (right) and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz after taking his Oath of Office.
Asked to comment on how she felt after attending the event, Mary Jo Nosal, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, said, “ I was moved by the beautiful ceremony and by the Lt. Governor’s comments today. Knowing the newly-sworn in officials as I do, I know that each of them appreciates the sacrifices of our U.S. military and veterans made for the freedoms we Americans hold dear, and that each of our new officials will keep that in mind as they work hard for our town.“
Old Lyme Town Clerk Urbowicz swears in Matt Ward (Unaffiliated but endorsed by Old Lyme Republican Town Committee (RTC)) as Old Lyme Town Treasurer.
Also sworn in on Sunday were Old Lyme Selectman-elect Jim Lampos (D), Treasurer-elect Matthew Ward (U but R-endorsed), Regional Board of Education members-elect Alexander Lowry (D), W. Scott Brown (D), and Susan Fogliano (D).
Region 18 Board of Education members-elect (from left to right) Alexander Lowry, Dr. W. Scott Brown and Susan P. Fogliano are sworn into office.
Urbowicz noted that Selectman-elect Judith Read (R), who was not present at the ceremony, had been sworn in earlier.
Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates-elect Democrats Kathleen Tracy and Michaelle Pearson, and Brian Cole (Unaffiliated but endorsed by Old Lyme RTC) take the Oath of Office for their positions.
Republican-endorsed candidate-elect Brian Cole was also sworn in on Sunday joining Ward as the R-endorsed candidates present at the ceremony.
All the officials-elect, who had been sworn in during the afternoon, gathered around Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz (front row, center, to left of Selectman Jim Lampos) for a celebratory photo at the end of the ceremony.
Editor’s Note: This article was prepared with information received from a variety of people, who attended the ceremony.
