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Mosquitoes in East Lyme Test Positive for West Nile Virus

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EAST LYME, CT — On Sept. 27, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) announced that mosquitoes collected in East Lyme and from a collection station on the Waterford/New London line on Sept.14 have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), and that mosquitoes collected in Ledyard on Sept. 20 have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). 

Previously LLHD announced that mosquitoes collected in Stonington on Sept. 11 tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), and that mosquitoes collected in Ledyard on Sept. 13 tested positive for West Nile Virus.

In all these Stonington and Ledyard cases, the positive mosquito was culiseta melanura, which is known to primarily bite birds but has been known to bite mammals.

Also, LLHD announced that mosquitoes collected in Lyme, Conn. on Sept. 6 tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The positive mosquito was culex restuans, which is known to bite birds and mammals.

Previously this summer, mosquitoes from North Stonington (8/21) and Waterford (8/23) tested positive for WNV.

Positive EEE and WNV mosquitoes are normally expected during the summer months, and their presence serves as a reminder for residents to take standard precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Precautions to avoid mosquito bites:

  • Minimize time outdoors at dusk and dawn.
  • Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
  • While outdoors, wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.
  • Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors and always use it according to label instructions. The most effective repellents contain DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective for brief periods of exposure.
  • When using DEET, use the lowest concentration effective for the time spent outdoors (for example, 6% lasts approximately 2 hours and 20% for 4 hours) and wash treated skin when returning indoors. Do not apply under clothing, to wounds or irritated skin, the hands of children, or to infants less than 2 months.

Measures to reduce mosquitoes around the home:

  • Dispose of water-holding containers, such as ceramic pots, used tires, and tire swings.
  • Drill holes in the bottom of containers such as those used for recycling.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters.
  • Turn over objects that may trap water when not in use such as wading pools and wheelbarrows.
  • Change water in bird baths on a weekly basis.
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and cover pools when not in use.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate areas where water can collect on your property.

Additional resources for information on West Nile virus and mosquito management can be found at this link.

If you need assistance or advice treating standing water on your property, a member of LLHD’s Environmental Health staff can help. An Environmental Technician will visit your property and provide education on how to prevent and eliminate mosquitoes. Contact Patti Myers at (860) 434-1605 ext. 214 for more information.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on press releases issued by Ledge Light Health District on various dates in September.

Old Lyme’s PGN Library Celebrates 125th Anniversary With Unveiling of Book-Reading Griffin Sculpture

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The Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library Board of Trustees and staff gathered to celebrate the Library’s 125th Anniversary with the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of a book-reading griffin on the library’s front lawn.

OLD LYME — On Sept. 12, the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin (PGN) Noyes Library Board of Trustees and staff gathered to celebrate the Library’s 125th Anniversary with the unveiling of a bronze statue of a griffin, a mythical half-eagle, half-lion creature. The almost 200-pound bronze statue, created by sculptor Michael McLaughlin, stands by the library’s entrance with an open book at its paws. 

“While it is great fun to have such a wonderful sculpture right by our door,” explains Library Director Katie Huffman, continuing, “We are most excited by how it will help our library better connect with children, and further advance the library’s mission.”

According to Julie Bartley, the PGN’s Children’s Librarian, the library has long recognized that to inspire lifelong learning, it has to reach children at an early age … which is basically the same intent as the library’s many youth programs. The Library’s griffin is intended to contribute to that effort.

“While the griffin has often been portrayed as a fierce, magical creature,” Huffman notes, she adds, “We hope our griffin is slightly softer and more accessible than most.”

She points out, “It is still a griffin, with a nod to the merits of its determined, insatiable curiosity, but we hope visitors will find her friendly and inviting, and that even the youngest visitor will be inspired to give her a pat.”

Sculptor McLaughlin resides in northwestern Connecticut. He received his foundation in classical art while studying at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. Upon completing his studies at the Academy, Michael went on to participate in an “old school” style apprenticeship in the studio of sculptor, Juan Andreu.

Andreu later inspired McLaughlin to travel to Thailand, Korea and Japan to continue his course of study further.

McLaughlin is the recipient of numerous awards and has won commissions from municipalities, galleries and private collectors from across the country.

Established in 1897, the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library exists to inspire lifelong learning and discovery in a welcoming place with exceptional resources programs and services. As a 501(c)3 association library, it receives support from town and state funding, and also relies on private donations.

The Library’s griffin was made possible thanks to private financial support from the Library’s Board of Trustees and others.

Old Lyme Rowing/Blood Street Sculls Members Qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics at World Rowing Championships

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Liam Corrigan (second from right), who was a member of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Class of 2015, stroked the Men’s Four to a silver medal in the recent 2023 World Rowing Championships in Serbia.That position qualifies the boat for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Blood Streets Sculls Masters Rower Nobuhisa Ishizuka, right in photo, is President of US Rowing and was head of the US delegation at the Championships. All photos are by www.row2K.com and published with their permission.

BELGRADE, SERBIA — Numerous Old Lyme Rowing Association / Blood Street Sculls members represented the United States in the 2023 World Rowing Championships held Sept. 3-10 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Liam Corrigan, who graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) in 2015, stroked the Men’s Four to a silver medal, qualifying the boat for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

After graduating from LOLHS, Corrigan attended Harvard University, where he was ultimately captain of the rowing team. He subsequently moved to California, where he continues his rowing career with the California Rowing Club. Corrigan’s parents, Brian Corrigan and Joan Rivington, live in Lyme having moved there in 2020 from Old Lyme, where they had lived for many years.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics saw Corrigan along with Old Lyme native and 2010 LOLHS graduate Austin Hack row in the US Men’s Eight boat, which ultimately just missed out on a medal coming in a photo-finish fourth in the final.

This year’s World Championships also acted as the first qualifying event for countries for the 2024 Paris Olympics. In total, the U.S. won seven medals and qualified 10 boats for Paris (eight Olympic and two Paralympic) over the eight-day regatta.

The U.S. finished fourth in total medals.

The U.S. won silver in the women’s eight, PR3 mixed double sculls, PR3 mixed four with coxswain, lightweight women’s double sculls, and men’s four, as well as bronze in the women’s double sculls and lightweight women’s single sculls. PR3 is a one of three classes of para-rowing in which the athletes have physical impairments, visual impairment and/or intellectual disabilities. The PR3 sport class is for rowers, who have the use of their legs, trunk and arms and can use the sliding seat. 

The U.S. qualified the women’s single sculls, women’s double sculls, lightweight women’s double sculls, women’s pair, men’s pair, men’s four, women’s four, and women’s eight for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as the PR3 mixed double sculls and the PR3 mixed four with coxswain for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Former Blood Street Sculls member Ben Washburne of Madison, CT (second from right in photo) won silver in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four , thus qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Ben Washburne of Madison, Conn., and former Blood Street Sculls member (second from right in photo) also won silver in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four qualifying for Paris.

Another former Blood Street Sculls rower Dominique Williams, also of Madison, Conn., and his crew finished 9th in the Men’s Quadruple Sculls and will have a chance to qualify next spring at the final Olympic qualification regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland. Williams’s US boat is pictured at right in photo below.

Another former Blood Street Sculls member, Dominique Williams of Madison, Conn., and his crew finished 9th in the Men’s Quadruple Sculls. They will have a chance to qualify next spring in Lucerne, Switzerland, for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Blood Street Sculls was also represented in the 2023 World Rowing Championships by Nobuhisa Ishizuka, who lives in Madison, Conn., and is a Blood Streets Sculls Masters Rower.

Ishizuka joined the US Rowing Board of Directors in 2018 and serves as President of US Rowing. He was in attendance at the 2023 World Rowing Championships as the head of the US delegation.

Death Announced of Jeannine T. (St. George) LaMothe, 92, Mother of Charles Lamothe Jr. of Old Lyme

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GROTON — Jeannine T. (St. George) LaMothe, 92, of Poquonnock Road passed peacefully at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, surrounded by her loving family …

Jeannine was a dedicated and proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who is survived by four children: Charlene Lassinger (Gary) of Groton, George Lamothe (Andi) of Summerfield, Fla., Charles Lamothe Jr. (Trish) of Old Lyme, and Robert Lamothe (Amy) of East Lyme; nine grandchildren: … and 11 great-grandchildren, …

Jeannine was best known for her incredible talent as a powerful singer and gifted organist, having followed her passion for performing since childhood …

Her family invites you to Celebrate a Life well lived in a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, in Sacred Heart Church, 56 Sacred Heart Dr., Groton. Burial will be private …

Visit this link to read the full obituary published by The Day on Sep. 17, 2023.

Lyme-Old Lyme’s Food Share Garden is One of Three Locally to Receive United Way Award for Innovation 

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Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) founder Jim Ward holds the Innovation Award certificate in the center of this group of LOLFSG volunteers and United Way representatives. From left to right are Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, LOLFSG Board Members Jack Larocca, Mylan Sarner, Amy Mastrangelo, Ward, and Peter Hunt; continuing left to right, SECT United Way Vice President Gemma Moran United Way stands next to Old Lyme Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, who is alongside Jill Rusk, also of United Way. Photo submitted by LOLFSG.

LYME/OLD LYME — As part of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut’s annual Engagement Awards program, the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden is one of three giving gardens in New London County, which have been honored for innovation. 

The other two gardens honored are the Craig Floyd Giving Garden at Coogan Farm, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, and the East Lyme Giving Garden.

An awards presentation was made on Sept. 13, at the East Lyme Giving Garden, 4 Church Ln., East Lyme for the partners to coincide with Hunger Action Month, occurring annually in September. 

After receiving the award, LOLFSG founder and board chair Jim Ward commented exclusively to LymeLine.com, “The Innovation Award from United Way of New London reflects the dedication of the residents and businesses of Lyme and Old Lyme.” He added, “The success of the garden is a testament to our dedicated volunteers and the generous financial support from the communities.”

Last year, the giving gardens provided more than 37,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center (Food Center), marking a 65 per cent increase over the previous growing season. The Innovation Award is being presented to them for this increase, in addition to tailoring their produce based on a guest survey regarding which food items are most requested and needed. 

September is Hunger Action Month to help increase awareness of hunger and hunger-related issues. Currently the food insecurity rate in New London County is nearly 11 percent overall and 12.3 percent in children. 

It is often difficult and expensive for families struggling to make ends meet to afford fresh food items. They may also have limited access to food. The giving gardens provide nutritious, healthy items for families to which they may not otherwise have access. 

Volunteers at all three gardens are actively involved in planting, weeding, harvesting, and washing the vegetables prior to being picked up for delivery to the Food Center. 

Volunteers at the Food Center’s warehouse in New London package the produce, whence it is then either distributed to member agencies or through the Mobile Food Pantry program. 

Representatives from each garden meet regularly to discuss best practices and techniques, and to give feedback to United Way. They also work to vary the items each one grows for a more diverse selection and based on survey results. 

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden.