OLD LYME — On Wednesday, Sept. 6, the Old Lyme (OL) Registrars of Voters held a lottery to determine the order of names within each of the parties for a number of offices. The order of the parties themselves is determined by state statute and in Connecticut reflects which party holds the Governor’s seat.
The lottery was held in the Town Clerk’s Office at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
The following people were present for the lottery: Cathy Carter (OL Registrar of Voters-R), Jen Datum (OL Registrar of Voters-D), Courtney Joy, John Mesham, W. Scott Brown, and Vicki Urbowicz (OL Town Clerk).
Others in attendance post-lottery were Jude Read, Deb Czarnecki, Tracy Russell and Steven Wilson.
The results were as follows:
Democratic Town Committee
Board of Finance 1. Anna S. Reiter 2. Bennett J. Bernblum
Board of Finance Alternates 1. Diane A. Linderman 2. Sheila A. Riffle 3. Candace A. Fuchs
OLD LYME — I was deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of David Rufo, the former owner of the Bee and Thistle Inn in Old Lyme with his then wife, Linnea.
He was a wonderful, charismatic man and these words from his obituary, which was published today, sum him up beautifully: “David seemed tireless always squeezing every bit of joy out of each day. His optimism and spirited approach to his life will live on in the endless memories of those who knew him. He was equal parts decadence and simplicity, preferring quality over quantity and was always reminding us to “Keep smiling” and to “Think good things.”
Kipp Sturgeon, who sang and played for years at ‘The Bee’, shared these memories of David with us, “[He] would have me finish my musical strolling, get me a beverage and we’d sit in the parlor (later the bar) and we would talk about many things and have a good laugh together.”
Sturgeon continued, “He was a very chill guy and a good soul. He and Linnea treated me like family and I appreciated that. More often than not our chat would get interrupted by Linnea wanting me to sing to new guests that came late or to send David off to perform a chore. He would patiently get to his task after giving me the raised eyebrow and a wink. He’d much rather be sailing than tending to that old building.”
We have published extracts from the obituary below.
David Rufo died young at 67 years old on July 23, 2023 of Alzheimers. Born on November 18, 1955, he was the third son of George Rufo, Sr., and Dorothy (Liebenow) Rufo’s five children. David was an exuberant child that grew into a very loved man with a smile as big as the sun …
In addition to his own business success, David supported his ex-wife’s (Linnea Rufo) passion project of running a Bed and Breakfast. They started with the Inn at Brookside in Stockbridge, MA. Later he purchased The Bee and Thistle Inn, in Old Lyme, CT. Always the humble “handyman”, David used his charm to create memorable experiences for his guests and customers at the Inn. He forged many long lasting and meaningful relationships both with the staff and guests …
In addition to travel, David loved practicing photography, playing boules at his CT Inn …
David fell ill with Alzheimer’s in 2020. His sickness was fast and aggressive, although he remained dignified and popular in his nursing homes.
He leaves behind his only daughter, Jessica Rufo and her husband, Michael J. Downer; three grandchildren, Esme Lamb, Tallulah Lamb and Sailor James Downer; …
Both locals and visitors shop at the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe, which is closing at the end of this month. File photo.
Author’s Note: I recently spoke with Angie Reale, the owner of the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe, by phone and she graciously answered my questions for more than an hour. We chatted at length about her time at the Shoppe and her previous employment at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, where she and I first met back in 2007.
OLD LYME – “I didn’t realize I’d get this kind of fanfare. It’s been a very humbling experience for me with all the kind comments that have been made.”
Those were words of Angie Reale as she mused on the past month since she announced the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe at 34 Lyme St. would be closing Aug. 31. She has owned and managed the ice cream store for a decade but is now certain that it’s time for her to go.
Reale explains, “I turned 70 in July and it’s just getting to be too much.”
Reale is in remission from cancer and notes, “Last winter was very rough for me with radiation and chemo”. She recalls fondly, “My customers were wonderful during the cancer treatments. They brought me gift cards and all sorts of things. These people, who started as customers, have become my friends.”
The Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe is well-known for the delicious handmade, ice cream creations of owner Angie Reale. File photo.
Reale continues with real passion in her voice, “It’s all been a little overwhelming for me [referring to the kindness shown to her since she announced she was closing the store],” adding, “It’s really very bitter-sweet. I’m going to miss my customers and the girls [who work at the store] so much, especially this new crop of girls.”
She explains, “I do all the making of the ice cream myself. I’ll miss the creative side of making ice cream,” but she stresses with a chuckle, “Not the practical side!” highlighting that it is rather strenuous work.
She attributes the popularity of the store to the fact that she offers a remarkable range of – in several cases – award-winning flavors of ice-cream.Reale correctly points out, “This isn’t a cookie-cutter ice-cream place. People will miss the uniqueness of the flavors.”
Back in 2017, the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe was declared the winner of Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor’s National Small Ice Cream Shop Competition and Reale’s Moroccan Rose ice cream flavor won a major award.
Asked what was next on her agenda after leaving the shop, her answer was surprising, “Get a job!” she said resolutely, adding, “I don’t have any hobbies. I don’t knit, I don’t needlepoint. And I can’t lay around the house doing nothing.”
She elaborates, saying, “I’d really like a little job. I’ll give a good 25 hours a week – I have a strong work ethic.” Reale then comments, “I haven’t had a paycheck in 10 years,” adding with a hearty laugh, “It would be nice to get one!”
Alternatively – or perhaps in addition – she says “I’d really like to volunteer somewhere,” asking ”Why not give back something?”
Discussing the new owners, she describes the couple warmly as a, “Gift from the universe,” who will likely open a gallery in the property – but in Reale’s words, “Not your typical gallery” – and use the residential area as a weekend home.
She comments, “In my fantasy, I was hoping a younger couple would take over the business and keep it going,” but she sold the property in two days, so has no complaints.
Talking of home, where is Reale planning on living now that she can no longer live right behind the shop with, as she laughingly describes, “A three-foot commute”?
Reale says she will be staying with a neighbor for a while, “But not long,” she emphasizes, ”… while I figure things out.”
She sums up her life to date in the words of a friend, who has known Reale for well over 50 years. The friend told her, “Angie, you’ve always flown by the seat of your pants … but you’ve always managed to land safely,” … and Reale says that is precisely what she intends to do in the future!
Editor’s Note: Angie, Old Lyme will miss you – good luck wherever your future takes you, and to anyone out there who needs a professional chef/food manager/preparer, I can personally give her the highest recommendation – her creations are the best!
On Saturday, July 15, celebrity chef Jacques Pepin, standing at right, cut the ribbon for the official opening of ‘The Curry Queen’ restaurant in Old Saybrook. The restaurant is owned by Lyme resident Nalini Srinivasan, pictured left. Photo by H. Margules.
LYME/OLD SAYBROOK — A new restaurant, owned and managed by Lyme resident Nalini Srinivasan, has opened in Old Saybrook. Describing itself as focused on homestyle, authentic Indian cuisine,The Curry Queen, located at 93 Elm St., offers both dine-in and take-out options.
Asked to describe her menu, Srinivasan responded by email saying, “The menu is, at present, a simple one with everyday offerings such as curries, [both] vegetarian and non-vegetarian, specialities from the Tandoor, and small plates of street food samples.”
She added that exciting new additions are planned to the menu shortly but they are still under wraps at this time.
Srinivasan explains, “The intent is to expose our clientele to different regional Indian Food, including Anglo Indian Cuisine.” She also notes that an application for a liquor permit is “in the works.”
Opening a restaurant is a high-risk business. We inquired why Srinivasan felt drawn to do so after enjoying a successful career in finance. She said, “I saw a niche market opportunity. I wanted to reach out to the local community to spread the word [and have] a small business experience. I enjoy the creativity of it and anticipate good things for the future.”
When we asked whather hopes were for the restaurant, her business acumen shone through in her reply. Shrivasan stated her objectives are, “To achieve targeted Business Plan Goals and to assimilate into the economic environment of the area.”
A particularly interesting and endearing aspect of her business is Srinivasan’s decision to employ the Afghan refugee father of five, who is currently living in Old Lyme. The Afghani family is being supported by the Lyme-Old Lyme Refugee and Resettlement Committee.
A Hindu prayer service was held at ‘The Curry Queen’ to celebrate the opening of the restaurant. Photo by H. Margules.
Why had she chosen to take on this gentleman, who clearly did not have the usual references to apply for a chef’s job due to the extremely challenging conditions surrounding his evacuation from Afghanistan?
Srinivasan replied pragmatically, “Because I thought he would have a natural flair for using the Tandoor, which is a common feature in our (Afghan and Indian) cooking methods; … I thought I could use his help while he helps himself to settle in and because I thought we could contribute to the [overarching] cause of resettling a [refugee] family.”
OLD LYME — Hundreds gathered last night on the lawns of the Florence Griswold Museum for the traditional kickoff concert for this year’s Midsummer Festival.
The Savage Brothers’ band played “funkin’, rockin’, and rhythm” music, which delighted the large crowd …
… and spurred numerous audience members of all ages to stand up and dance.
The weather was kind …
… the atmosphere was energizing …
… and the sunset was stunning!
SweetSeidners.com was one of the onsite food trucks. Lymes’ Youth Service Director Mary Seidner’s sister-in-law, who owns the business, was kept busy making sales of all kinds of delectable cookies and brownies.
