State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd) stands between Jerry and Dee Vowles after presenting them with a Citation from the State of Connecticut celebrating the 100th birthday of the ‘Sound View Carousel.’
OLD LYME — It might have been a drizzly day on Saturday but spirits were high in the Sound View section of Old Lyme where celebrations took place to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the construction of the beloved carousel.
Sound View Commissioners Frank Pappalardo (right) and Michaelle Pearson (second from right) join the Vowles family for this celebratory photo after presenting the Vowles family with a plaque from the Sound View Commission.
The merry-go-round has been in its current location at the foot of Hartford Ave.since 1976.
Old Lyme Economic Development Commission (EDC) Chairman Joe Camean (center) and member Mona Colwell (left) congratulate Dee and Jerry Vowles on their involvement in the business community after presenting a Certificate of Recognition from the EDC and Old Lyme Board of Selectmen. Master of Ceremonies and Sound View Commissioner Frank Pappalardo stands at rear.
Presentations were made by numerous individuals including State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, Old Lyme Economic Development Commission Chairman Joe Camean, Democratic Town Committee member Kathleen Tracy, and Sound View Commissioner and Historian Michaelle Pearson.
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (center) holds the US Proclamation from Representative Joe Courtney that she presented on his behalf to the Vowles family.
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker commented, “It was an absolutely wonderful celebration!”
More than 150 people turned out to celebrate the carousel’s birthday.
Enjoy our photo essay of the celebrations. Many thanks to Martha Shoemaker for providing the photos.
A smiling Dee Vowles (left) and husband Jerry along with daughter Jen Vowles Lathrop enjoy the day.
The weather did not keep folks away from the fun event at which free carousel rides, 100 cent ice cream and hot dogs, and t-shirt raffles were all on offer.
Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee members Kathleen Tracy and Michaelle Pearson stand with Dee and Jerry Vowles, who hold an illustration of the carousel that had been presented to them.
Our congratulations to Dee and Jerry Vowles and family on being such an important part of the Old Lyme community.
A host of dignitaries inside The Carousel Shop gather for a photo—all were involved in the celebrations.
Old Lyme Selectman Jim Lampos (left) stands alongside Master of Ceremonies and Sound View Commission Chairman Frank Pappalardo as he gives a short speech congratulating the Vowles family on their commitment to the town.
Flowers and champagne were yet another contribution to the celebrations. Old Lyme Selectwoman Jude Read and Old Lyme Republican Town Committee member Maria Marchant (at left) stand with Dee and Jerry Vowles in this joyful photo.
And the horses rode on …
… while patrons of all ages enjoyed the celebrations. Photo by C. Nyberg.
Smiling faces were everywhere during the Lymes’ Senior Center’s ‘soft opening’ last Monday.
All photos courtesy of Town of Old Lyme.
OLD LYME—On Monday, May 5, more than 150 people turned out for a celebratory pizza party at the Lyme’s Senior Center in honor of its “soft opening.”
The Center on Town Woods Rd. has finally emerged from a major renovation and expansion project. Those who attended were able to explore the now much improved facility while also viewing the new design and improvements for themselves.
Lymes’ Senior Center was packed for Monday’s ‘soft opening.’
Director Stephanie Gould and Assistant Director Caitlin Perkins were on hand to welcome back the seniors, who have been pursuing Center activities at various venues in town during the construction period. WIth the reopening of the Center, all the activities are now relocated back at the Center
Five Old Lyme Town Hall staff—First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, Vicki Urbowicz, Courtney Joy, Michele Hayes, and Katie Balocca—attended the celebration to assist with the festivities.
From left to right, Old Lyme Town Hall staff Michele Hayes, Katie Balocca, Courtney Joy, Vicki Urbowicz, and First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker join Lymes’ Senior Center Director Stephanie Gould (second from left) at the celebration.
Shoemaker told LymeLine by phone on Friday, “It was an absolutely wonderful event. There were so many happy, smiling faces.” She added, “People were just so glad to see each other again.”
An official Grand Opening of the Senior Center is planned for Saturday, May 31.
Sophomore Eddie Fiske Jr. (#34) was the Wildcats top-scorer in their championship game against Shepaug Valley with 15 points. All photos by Warner Swain.
MOHEGAN SUN–Top-seeded Shepaug Valley completed their unbeaten season Saturday, capping it with victory in the CIAC Division V State Championship when they soundly defeated Old Lyme 58-46. This was a first-time state tournament win for Shepaug Valley.
Old Lyme coach Brady Sheffield gives instructions to his team during a time-out in the game against Shepaug Valley.
The Wildcats were defending champions having won the Division V title last year under then-21-year-old coach Brady Sheffield, who was in his first year as coach at that time.
Old Lyme Junior Colman Curtiss-Reardon contributed nine points to the Wildcats final score.
Sophomore Edward Fiske Jr. was Old Lyme’s top scorer with 15 points while junior Colman Curtiss-Reardon and freshman William McKeever notched nine each.
Old Lyme freshman Will McKeever notched nine points for the Wildcats, including two three-pointers.
Shepaug Valley’s Andrew Konik was the game’s top-scorer with 21 points and eight steals. Reed Woerner and James Kersten added 14 and 12 points respectively.
Old Lyme Junior Oliver Wyman played a determined game for the Wildcats.
The full list of winners in descending order is as follows:
Vermillion, South Dakota
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Saugatuck, Michigan
Orange Beach, Alabama
Tubac, Arizona
Lucas, Kansas
Saratoga Springs, New York
Abingdon, Virginia
McCook, Nebraska
Stowe, Vermont
The article in USA Today revealing the results states, “Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to these 10 small towns, each with a population of fewer than 30,000 people (as of the last census). They were selected by an expert panel and voted by [USA Today] readers as the best in the U.S. for their arts scenes, because what each of these towns lacks in size, they make up for with museums, art galleries, performing arts, and busy event calendars.”
Asked for her reaction to the result, Old Lyme Economic Development Commission Chair Cheryl Poirier told LymeLine exclusively, “We are thrilled that USA Today considered us a top pick as one of America’s Best Small Town Arts Scenes, and are full of gratitude for the many people who voted for us this past month. Many folks were voting daily as permitted and telling their friends to vote as well.”
She continued, “Although we came in second to another great small town, we are still proud to consider ourselves tops. Our many community members who take part in our arts organizations help to make Old Lyme the very special place that it is, and are just one reason why so many people love to call us “home.”
USA Today had previously cited these reasons for including Old Lyme in their finalists: “This town was once home to a thriving artist colony which later became the Lyme Art Association. The work of many important American artists from the colonial period to today can be found at the Florence Griswold Museum.”
The article continued,“Both are part of the Old Lyme Arts District, a vibrant central village area with art galleries, live music and the prestigious Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. Artists of all experience levels appreciate painting en plein air in the town’s beautiful natural surroundings. Old Lyme has an annual Midsummer Festival in July that is a celebration of art, music, and classic cars.“
Summary Given of All Related Communications Received by LymeLine
OLD LYME—On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Old Lyme Zoning Commission will hold Public Hearings and a Special Meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Auditorium.
Zoning Commission Chairman Paul Orzel notes that the Middle School has a hard “close” time of 9 p.m., which the Commission intends to honor.
The agenda notes an item under both the Continued Public Hearing and Old Business as follows: Petition to Amend the Old Lyme Zoning Regulations, Section 5.15-creating a Halls Road Overlay District [HROD} allowing, among other items, mixed zoning use along Halls Road and the entire C-30S Zoning District, with associated architectural design guidelines.
The applicant in both cases is the Halls Road Improvement Committee.
Members of the public, who would like to submit written comments on either case, are encouraged to email a copy of their comments to Old Lyme Land Use Technician, Craig Bonatti, at least one day prior to the Public Hearing at cbonatti@oldlyme-ct.gov.
The HROD proposal has aroused significant controversy throughout the town and on social media. A large number of residents is expected to attend the meeting.
To assist our readers in understanding the various and conflicting opinions on the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) proposal, we provide links below to all the correspondence/op-ed’s/opinion pieces that we have received regarding the matter. Be sure to read all the Comments, which have been posted, too.
