Category Archives: Business

TOP STORY: River Valley Transit Offers New $5 Taxi Fares for Older Adults, People with Disabilities; Now Available in Lyme, Old Lyme

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MIDDLETOWN–River Valley Transit is partnering with the state’s largest taxi company to offer $5 rides for older adults and people with disabilities in towns including Lyme and Old Lyme.  

The transit company in a press release recently announced the launch of Encompass, a new program designed to make it easier to travel within select towns in the Middlesex County area on any day, for any reason.  

The $5 cost covers up to eight miles. Trips beyond eight miles are charged at a rate of $2.90 per mile. 

The program is a partnership between the transit company and M7. 

The low-cost rides are currently available in Lyme and Old Lyme along with Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. The transit company said the program will soon expand to Durham, East Hampton, Middlefield, Chester, Deep River, Essex, East Haddam, Haddam, and Killingworth.

“We wanted to do everything we could to help our seniors and our passengers with disabilities get where they need to go—to the doctor, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or just to see family,” said Bill Scalzi, owner of M7. 

River Valley Transit Executive Director Joseph Comerford described the partnership as an innovative transportation solution. 

“We are always looking at ways to improve mobility in our region,” he said. 

Applications are accepted at Encompass.M7Ride.com by clicking the “Get Started in Middlesex” button.

Passengers must be 60 years of age or over or provide proof of a disability to apply. Trip payments are made online through a personal Encompass account created by the passenger. Passengers can load funds into the account via credit card payments or direct bank transfers. 

There is no limit to the number of trips a passenger can take. The passenger is given the exact trip cost at the time of booking and the fare is automatically deducted at the end of each ride.

All M7 drivers are fully trained and vetted, and all vehicles are fully licensed, inspected and insured, according to River Valley Transit.

TOP STORY: Old Lyme EDC, BOS Welcome New Owners at ‘The Hideaway’ with Celebratory Ribbon-Cutting

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The four proud owners, José and Diana Plasencia and José Luis and Carolina Marin cut the ribbon together. L-R: Wendy Russell*, Scott Smith*, Mona Colwell*, Joe Camean*, José Luis Marin, Carolina Marin, José Plasencia, (Diana Plasencia behind José), Selectman Jim Lampos, First Selectwoman, Martha Shoemaker, Jeff Hartmann* (*connotes EDC member.) All photos by C. Poirier.

OLD LYME — Family, friends, and lunchtime diners joined the Town of Old Lyme in congratulating the new owners of The Hideaway on Saturday.

The Old Lyme Economic Development Commission (EDC) was joined by the Board of Selectmen in the ribbon cutting ceremony that celebrated both the new ownership and expanded Hideaway offerings of wood-fired pizza. Visit this link to read more about both of these.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker shares her well wishes with the owners .

Economic Development Commission Co-Chair Joe Camean welcomed everyone to the celebration noting, “We are happy to see healthy businesses thrive in Old Lyme and want to thank you for doing business here.”

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, after also offering her welcome, added, “As a mother of three boys, I know that pizza is a staple in our house and I appreciate we have another place to come and support.”

Co-owner José Plasencia shared his gratitude to those gathered, saying, “Thank you to the whole Old Lyme community for supporting us.”

From left to right, José Plasencia and his daughter Sydney pose with Selectwoman Jude Read, Selectman Jim Lampos, and First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker.

The four new owners, Jose and Diana Plasencia and José Luis and Carolina Marin cut the ribbon together. Jose and Diana run the daily operations of The Hideaway, and Jose Luis and Carolina do the same for The Stumble Inne across the street.

The previous owners of both establishments, Jim and Cyndie Caramante, were on hand for the ribbon cutting and recognized for ensuring the businesses continued through new ownership following the Caramante’s retirement. 

The Plasencias accepted a Certificate of Recognition from the Old Lyme EDC. From left to right, EDC Co-chair Joe Camean, José and Diana Plasencia, Selectman Jim Lampos, and EDC Co-chair Jeff Hartmann.

Following the ribbon cutting and presentation of a Certificate of Recognition, attendees were invited to partake in fresh pizza with a variety of toppings, including one created just the evening before—fresh shucked corn and tomato.

Delicious pizzas galore were on offer at the ribbon-cutting. Photo by Laurie Walker.
The selection of pizzas was truly mouth-watering!
The Plasencia Family had an array of pizza offerings for attendees of the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Makes Surprise Announcement

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Andrew Surprise will begin as executive director of the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce on June 2. Photo courtesy of the chamber.

OLD SAYBROOK–The Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce has announced a new executive director. 

Chamber Board of Directors President Kara Pachniuk in a Thursday letter to members said Andrew Surprise, who previously served as executive director of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, will take over for Executive Director Judy Sullivan. 

Pachniuk credited Sullivan with two decades of exceptional leadership. 

“Judy’s dedication, vision, and tireless commitment have left a lasting legacy on our organization and the community we serve,” Pachniuk said. “We are immensely grateful for her service and the strong foundation she has built.”

The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce merged with the Old Saybrook chamber in 2023. 

Sullivan on Friday said Surprise will start work June 2. She will remain through June 30 to ease the transition. 

Pachniuk said Surprise brings experience in chamber management, economic development, and community engagement. 

She described Surprise as a strong leader who launched impactful workforce development initiatives and forged strong partnerships with major regional employers at the Windsor chamber. He previously revitalized the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce in Massachusetts, she said. 

The search committee including the chamber president as well as Alex Foulkes, Brett Elliott, Sharon Lewis, Dave Carswell, Judy Sullivan, Lindsey Goergen, and Sally Ann Lee helped “identify the right leader to take the Chamber into its next chapter,” according to Pachniuk.

“We are confident that Andrew will build upon the Chamber’s legacy, advocate for our members, and lead with the same dedication and passion that Judy has demonstrated over the past two decades,” she said. 

Lyme Farmers Market Opens Saturdays for the Season

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The Farmer’s Market at Tiffany Farms, seen here when it began in 2019, is a seasonal fixture in town.

LYME, CT—On Saturday May 24, The Farmers Market at Tiffany Farms opens for the season.

It will be open rain or shine, farm field permitting.

Vegetables, fruit, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, chicken, and baked goods as well as preserves and maple syrup will be available at the farm on 156 Sterling City Road every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until mid October.

This year’s the lineup includes Chatfield Hollow Farm, Dondero Orchards, Falls Brook Organic Farm, Four Mile River Farm, From the Farm, Hooting Owl Farm, Long Table Farm, Marna Roons, Ms BeeR Haven, Space Farms Soap, Tiffany Farms Pasture Raised Beef, The Country Kitchen, Traveling Italian Chef, Wave Hill Breads and Mystic Cheese.

The guest vendors for next Saturday will be Bs Baked Goods and Colchester Curry. The Lyme Veterans Memorial Committee will also be attending.

For more information, call the farm at 860-575-4730.