Celebrating a WW2 Local Hero in Lyme During Veterans Day Ceremony

Lyme Fire Chief John Evans picked up World War II Veteran Bill Gregory at Gregory’s home in Lyme and gave him a ceremonial ride in the Rescue One engine to Tuesday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Town Hall. Photos by Mary Powell St. Louis.

LYME—On Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – the Lyme Veterans Memorial Committee held a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the Lyme Town Hall complex. 

During the ceremony, Lyme resident and World War II Veteran Bill Gregory was given special recognition. He had received a ceremonial ride from his home in the Rescue One engine with Lyme Fire Chief John Evans and his son Archer Evans.

Bill Gregory stands proudly with his Seabees uniform at the ceremony.  

The ceremony commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and included remarks by First Selectman and Veteran David Lahm along with speakers discussing veterans’ service in WWII and the impact of the war on the homefront.

Also included in the ceremony were the laying of a wreath and the presentation of a poster listing Lyme residents, who enlisted during World War II

Old Lyme Welcomes New Town Nurse, Implements New Model for Providing Nursing Services

Old Lyme’s new Town Nurse is Samantha ‘Sammee’ Piette.

OLD LYME — The Town of Old Lyme has welcomed a new town nurse along with a new model for providing nurse services.  

Old Lyme’s new Town Nurse is Samantha Piette, MBA-HM, BSN, RN, ATC, LAT, EMT.  In real life, she prefers to be known as Sammee. She is an Old Lyme native with experience in both clinical and community health settings, with a strong focus on wellness, education, and preventative care. 

Piette began holding office hours in early October at the Town Nurse office, located at the Lymes’ Senior Center. 

Her new hours are Monday to Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

In addition to office hours, Piette also hosts monthly blood pressure clinics at local senior housing.  

Telehealth visits are also now up and running—virtual appointments can be scheduled at this link.

This new approach was developed in response to the withdrawal of several agencies from the town nursing space. It has allowed Old Lyme to continue its long tradition of providing a nurse to all residents. 

Piette is employed by the Town of Old Lyme with support and oversight provided by the Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association.

Former Old Lyme Resident, the Late Nathan M. Shippee, Inducted into URI Veterans Hall of Fame


OLD LYME—On Nov. 8, 2025, Nathan M. Shippee, a former resident of Old Lyme, was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Veterans Hall of Fame.

Shippee’s wife Patricia was kind enough to inform us of this great honor, which has been bestowed upon her late husband.

Lyme Academy Hosts Annual ‘Holiday Enchantment,’ Dec. 6; Free, All Welcome

Santa will be available for selfies at Lyme Academy’s ‘Holiday Enchantment’ event on Dec. 6. LymeLine file photo.

Event includes art demos, music, tree-lighting, caroling, smores, hot cocoa & more

OLD LYME — On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts invites the community to its Fifth Annual Holiday Enchantment and Tree Lighting.

Adults and children are invited to gather on the campus of Lyme Academy on Lyme Street from 3 to 5 p.m. for an afternoon of festive outdoor and indoor activities.

These will include art demonstrations, music by the Old Lyme Town Band and the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Select Singers, visits and selfies with Santa, opportunities for holiday shopping, and holiday craft-making for all ages.

A s’mores galore station and hot cocoa will also be available for all to enjoy. If the weather is chilly, guests will have an opportunity to warm up at one of the many fire pits on site.

At 4:30 p.m., a tree lighting will be led by the Town of Old Lyme’s First Selectwoman, Martha Shoemaker. This will be followed by caroling around the tree.

The Academy’s campus art store, de Gerenday’s Fine Art Materials and Curiosities, is bringing back popular jewelry artist Ann Lightfoot for the event. Every Ann Lightfoot creation higlights design, beauty, and elegance. Raw and delicate natural materials from all over the world are incorporated in her designs. Ann Lightfoot Jewelry makes a perfect holiday gift.

Visit lymeacademy.edu for more information.

TOP STORY: Lyme Tops State in Voter Turnout, With Old Lyme Not Far Behind

LYME/OLD LYME–Voters in Lyme and Old Lyme propelled the towns into the state’s Top Five list for the highest voter turnout, with Lyme leading the way at 66.1%. 

Old Lyme was not far behind at number four, with 60.5% of voters turning out at the polls. 

Roger Senserrich, spokesman for the Office of the Secretary of the State, noted, however, that results won’t be official until all municipalities submit final reconciled results on Nov. 14.

The unofficial data shows Lyme, with a population of  2,352 in the most recent U.S. Census, has 1,938 registered voters. Through a combination of early voting, absentee ballots and Election Day voting, 1,281 of those registered voters cast their ballots. 

Fourteen Lyme voters took advantage of same-day registration, which was available throughout two weeks of early voting and on Election Day. The option gave voters the opportunity to register and cast their vote with one trip to the polls. 

One same-day registration vote was not counted because the ballot’s envelope was not signed, according to Registrar of Voters Dottie Wells. She said Thursday that poll workers are required to act in good faith to make sure the proper processes are followed, and that any mistakes will be emphasized in future training sessions so they don’t happen again. 

In Old Lyme, there are 6,269 registered voters in the town of 7,628 residents. This year’s election resulted in ballots cast by 3,791 of them. Eight took advantage of same-day registration. 

Old Lyme

  • Election Day: 2,060
  • Early Voting: 1,561
  • Absentees: 162
  • Same-Day Registration: 8

Lyme

  • Election Day: 702
  • Early Voting: 517
  • Absentees: 49
  • Same-Day Registration: 13

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with information just received relating to when the election results will be official, and to correct Old Lyme’s ranking.