Category Archives: Community

Letter to the Editor: First Selectwoman Not Withdrawing Halls Rd. Overlay District Application, Review Process to Continue Per State Regulations at Zoning Meeting Tonight

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To the Editor:

An Open Letter to the Residents and Taxpayers of Old Lyme:

During the past few weeks, hundreds of residents have expressed their opinions, both positive and negative, to the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Commission regarding the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) application. 

As interest in the application has grown, so have questions about the application process. 

I want to take a moment to assure all residents of two things. 

First, the Town of Old Lyme is following the application process that every town in Connecticut is required to follow when it comes to potentially changing zoning regulations. The process is designed so that elected officials on all relevant boards and commissions can review the application in the context of a town’s Plan for Conservation & Development, solicit public input and then make the best decisions for the town. 

Second, everyone’s opinions – whether of concern or support – have been reviewed and carefully considered by the members of the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Commission, the Zoning Commission and the Halls Road Improvement Committee. Public input and feedback are an integral part of the application process. 

After the most recent Zoning Commission meeting on April 9, which was attended by some 550 residents, I have received multiple requests from opponents of the application to withdraw the application from further consideration. 

I am not planning to do that for the two reasons I just mentioned. We are following the required process, and the appropriate boards and commissions are soliciting and considering everyone’s opinions. 

I will also add that, in recent weeks, some of the public comments being made on social media have morphed into personal attacks against the volunteers who have served on the Halls Road Improvements Committee. These comments are unkind and do not relate to the issue. 

As the application process moves forward, I would like to request that everyone be respectful of the dedicated volunteers who give their time and skills to our town, even when and if their opinions may be different from your own. 

Sincerely,

Martha H. Shoemaker,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: The author is the First Selectwoman of Old Lyme.

Essex Winter Series Presents Free, Family-Friendly ‘Carnival of the Animals,’ April 27

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The Essex Winter Series has announced this family-friendly favorite as a humorous musical suite that mimics a variety of animals through 14 short movements.

ESSEX – The Essex Winter Series welcomes Orchestra New England on Sunday, April 27, for a performance of “The Carnival of Animals.”

The 2 p.m. performance will be held in the Valley Regional High School auditorium, 256 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River. Outer doors open at 1:30 pm; Auditorium doors open at 1:45 pm. 

The organization in a press release described the family-friendly favorite as a humorous musical suite by Camille Saint-Saëns, which – through 14 short movements – mimics a variety of animals.

Jacqueline Hubbard, executive director of the Ivoryton Playhouse, will narrate witty verses by Ogden Nash. 

Tickets for this free concert are available at essexwinterseries.com or by calling 860.272.4572.

Families are asked to reserve tickets for young children even if it is anticipated that they will sit on an adult’s lap. Advanced reservations are highly recommended due to limited seating. 

Accessible parking, entry and seating is available.

Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme Hosts Family Day, April 26

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Aerial view of 100 Lyme St., the former site of the Bee & Thistle Inn, where the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center will host Family Day on April 26.

OLD LYME – The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center will host an afternoon of fun and discovery at its annual Family Day on Saturday, April 26. 

The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the center, 100 Lyme St. 

Activities include science experiments, nature building, games, crafts, and plein-air painting along the Lieutenant River. Local band Sunny Train will perform at 3 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase through the Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club. 

Admission is $10 per family. Registration is recommended but not required. Families can register online in advance or pay at the door on the day of the event.

The Estuary Center dedicates itself to future generations through experiential education and conservation of the land, waters, and the species that inhabit them. Established in 2015 as a regional center of the Connecticut Audubon Society, the center focuses on protecting and conserving the dominant biosystems of southeastern Connecticut.

For more information, visit www.ctaudubon.org/rtp-estuary-home.

Old Lyme Residents Invited to Join ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ by Shining Two Lights in Their Window, April 19

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OLD LYME — Old Lyme is participating in a national recognition called Two Lights for Tomorrow. State and municipal buildings, businesses, organizations, and homes across the US will be shining two lights in their evening windows as a nod to “One if by Land, Two if by Sea.” 

The commemoration also signifies a unifying call to action for our citizens to celebrate and serve.

The Town of Old Lyme’s America 250 Committee is suggesting to those who can to shine two lights —any two lights, perhaps two window candles from the holidays, or even your two outdoor entry lights—in the window of their home or building the evening of Friday, April 18, for however long they choose. The Committee is also suggesting to all to post to social media a photo of your window with two lights with the tag #townofoldlyme – and plans to create a digital photo album of wide participation in Old Lyme.

“Two Lights for Tomorrow” commemorates the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous ride. Two lights in Boston’s North Church steeple meant the British were coming via sea. The Battles at Lexington and Concord following the British arrival marks the beginning of America’s Revolutionary War.

A page on ExploreOldLyme.com dedicated to the Town’s America 250 celebration provides more information and a link to a flyer promoting Two Lights for Tomorrow: 

It is said that about 100 of our local men (with 63 names officially recorded) marched to Lexington after word arrived here that militia back up and “fresh horses” were needed after eight patriots were killed and nine injured in the initial fighting on the Lexington Green.  

Visit this link to read about Lyme’s participation (Lyme and Old Lyme were one town back then) and some local names you might recognize. 

Con Brio to Hold Gala Farewell Concerts in Old Lyme to Honor Founding, Associate Directors

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Dr. Stephen Bruce of Groton will retire in July as the founding music director of the Con Brio Choral Society. All photos courtesy of Con Brio.

OLD LYME – The Con Brio Choral Society will honor the retirement of its music director and associate music director with a pair of concerts this month.  

The farewell concerts will bring together the Con Brio Festival Orchestra and Con Brio Chorus at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. 

Con Brio’s associate music director Susan Saltus is also retiring.

Music Director Stephen Bruce of Groton retires in July after 28 years as the society’s founding music director, according to the organization. He will remain with Con Brio, where he will hold the title of music director emeritus, in the bass section. 

Chris Shepard of Clinton will replace Bruce as music director in August. Shepard is described by the Con Brio Board of Directors as a renowned choral conductor, voice coach, arts ambassador, pianist, organist, and distinguished Bach scholar.

Associate Music Director Susan Saltus of Essex will also retire in July. She has served in the role since 2009.

Soloist Ransom Bruce, pictured here, will perform with fellow soloist Bill Sorensen along with 75 chorus members and the 30-piece Con Brio Festival Orchestra.

Con Brio will revisit some of Bruce’s favorites including pieces from Giacomo Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria,” Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor, George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” as well as several rousing spirituals.

Con Brio’s 75 singers will perform with the 30-piece Con Brio Festival Orchestra and soloists Ransom Bruce and Bill Sorensen.  The group will also introduce Shepard, who will conduct the chorus in Movement 5 of Benjamin Britten’s “Saint Nicholas.”

Tickets are $40, or $15 for students. To purchase tickets, visit the Con Brio website or call the box office at 860.526.5399. 

This report has been updated.