Thank you, Mr Caron [regarding you letter dated May 22, published on LymeLine.com.] These concerns [re the gravel pit along the Three-Mile River located at 308-1 Mile Creek Rd. in Old Lyme] are very real, and the neighbors of this property are suffering economic, environmental and disturbances to the peace on our properties.
The 1984 (!) noise ordinance in Old Lyme is virtually useless and toothless.
The owner of the property has demonstrated disrespect and lack of civility toward their neighbors.
The ‘Groundbreakers’ gather for a photo. From left to right, former Lyme First Selectman Steve Mattson, Old Lyme Selectwoman Judith Read, Lymes’ Senior Center Director Stephanie Gould, Old Lyme Selectman Jim Lampos (partially hidden from view), Lyme Selectperson John Kiker, Lyme Selectperson Kristina White, Lyme First Selectperson David Lahm, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33rd), Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee Chair Jeri Baker, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd), Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold. Photo by Jason Pheasant, CT House Republicans.
“In short, the Center is being used more frequently by more people than at any point in its history” David Lahm, Lyme First Selectman
OLD LYME—10:40am Names added to photo captions: More than a hundred people turned out Monday to celebrate the official groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of the Lymes’ Senior Center. Local dignitaries including State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33rd), State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (D), and Lyme First Selectman David Lahm (R) were on hand for the ceremonial insertion of shovels into a pile of prepared dirt.
Joining them were Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee Chairman Jeri Baker, Lymes’ Senior Center Board Chairman Peter Lucchese, Lymes’ Senior Center Director and Assistant Director respectively Stephanie Gould and Caitlyn Perkins, and representatives from Newfield Construction and Point One Architects.
Dig in! Wearing hard hats and with shovels in hand, local dignitaries dig into the dirt to celebrate the official start of the Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project. Photo by Newfield Construction.
In her remarks, Shoemaker noted that the Senior Center, which opened in 1996, has not undergone any renovation to its original structure in the 28 years of its continuous operation. She announced, “That’s about to change,” saying, “The Towns of Old Lyme and Lyme, which share responsibility for the senior center, are about to invest $6.38 million to renovate and expand this facility.”
Shoemaker said that the Center has long been a vital component of the social life of the older residents of Lyme and Old Lyme, pointing out that it is, “The place where they come to exercise, learn new skills, hear lectures, enjoy movies or live theater, listen to live music, play games and make new friends.”
But she stressed it is also a vital component of social services for older adults and people with limited resources and mobility, explaining, “It houses the office of the town nurse for Old Lyme. It serves as a vaccination clinic. It hosts vital programs like Meals on Wheels. It serves as the site of the local VFW post. And it’s a place where our residents can shelter during weather emergencies and power outages.”
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker speaks to the large audience gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Lymes’ Senior Center Renovation and Expansion Project. Photo by Jason Pheasant, CT House Republicans.
“The work that will begin here today,” Shoemaker stated, “… will revitalize the Senior Center and provide its members with a host of new amenities and capabilities so that it can serve more of our older residents more often.” She concluded, “We believe this renovation will keep it going strong for another 28 years – or more,” adding that the reopening of the Center is anticipated in March of next year if construction stays on schedule.
Lahm spoke next and commented that the research that was undertaken in preparation for the renovation identified that Lyme and Old Lyme have a median age of 48 to 51, compared to a median age of 40 for the state, and approximately 1,600 residents age 70 and older.
Noting that the Senior Center serves all residents 55 and above from Lyme, Old Lyme and some of the surrounding communities, he said its membership has swelled in recent years to more than 1,100 people. He cited further data regarding the number of visits made to the Center and then summed up by saying, “In short, the center is being used more frequently by more people than at any point in its history.”
Lahm stressed that all the Center’s programs and services are funded solely by membership dues and donations, not by the Towns, adding, “We are delighted that the voters of our towns were willing to invest in the center’s renovation to ensure that it can continue to be of service to our older adults.”
He also thanked the State of Connecticut, which has awarded Lyme and Old Lyme a total of $1 million in grants to help cover renovation costs.
Lahm expressed his thanks for the work done by volunteers on the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee and by their partners at Newfield Construction and Point One Architects.
Celebratory shovels are raised to indicate the start of the project. Photo by Jason Pheasant, CT House Republicans.
When the renovation is completed, Lahm noted the Center will have:
an additional 3,265 square feet of interior space – for a total of 8,737 square feet of interior space – that will enable it to accommodate more members and activities.
a new roof, porch, cupola, windows, walkways and landscaping.
motorized room partitions that allow for multiple room configurations so programs and activities can take place simultaneously.
an enlarged kitchen space with multiple kitchen upgrades that allows for greater center luncheon attendance.
a quiet library room where members can read or relax.
a public entrance that can accommodate the arrival and departure of buses and emergency vehicles.
redesigned entryway and hallways, improved door thresholds, additional shelving and storage space, and new furniture throughout.
Lahm concluded by saying, “We believe these renovations will keep the Center going strong for decades to come,” adding cheerfully, “And I look forward to standing here with Martha again next year for the ribbon cutting.”
Senior Center Building Committee Chairman Jeri Baker and Stephanie Gould, Director of the Center, rounded out the speeches with Baker noting it had been four years, seven months and one day since the Towns of Old Lyme and Lyme appointed a set of volunteers to serve on the building committee and oversee the renovation of the senior center.
She expressed thanks to a list of individuals, “For their hard work, dedication and expertise over the past several years,” namely, Don Abraham, Janet Sturges, Dan Hagan, Mary Stone, Arthur “Skip” Beebe, Ken Biega, Bennett “BJ” Bernblum, Dr. Rick Goulding, John KIker, Russell Learned, Toni Phillips, and Alan Sheiness.
She also noted her appreciation to past ex officio members, Bonnie Reemsnyder, Steve Mattson and Tim Griswold and current ex officio members, Martha Shoemaker, David Lahm and Stephanie Gould.
The Lyme Board of Selectpeople stand together for a photo after the celebrations. From left to right, First Selectperson David Lahm, Selectperson Kristina White and Selectperson John Kiker. Photo by Newfield Construction.
Baker added sincere thanks to all the boards, commissions and the staff from both towns, “Who contributed to this journey,” along with all those involved from Newfield Construction and Point One Architects, “Who are helping us carry the renovation from an idea into a reality.”
She also thanked the various organizations, who are serving as locations for Senior Center activities while the renovation is ongoing, and gave a special thank you to, “The Senior Center members, staff, and Board of Directors; the VNA; the VFW and the many volunteers who support this wonderful place.”
After a hearty round of applause, ceremonial shovels were duly inserted in the ground and the joyful celebrations began.
JenniferTiffany stands proudly in front of The Farmers Market that she and her husband Bill Hurtle will host again this summer at Tiffany Farms in Lyme. Photo by Olwen Logan
LYME, CT—On Saturday, May 25, The Farmer’s Market at Tiffany Farms in Lyme opens for the 2024 season from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.
Happiness is a big bunch of fresh flowers! Photo by Lisa Tiffany Simiola.
Asked by LymeLine.com for her thoughts as to why the market has become such a success, co-founder Jennifer Tiffany responded by email saying, “The Farmers Market at Tiffany farms is the perfect opportunity to embrace Lyme’s appreciation for the preservation of agriculture and the importance of land stewardship.”
Welcome to the Farmers Market. Photo by Lisa Tiffany Simiola.
Tiffany and her husband Bill Hurtle run the market, which is now a perennially popular destination for both local and regional shoppers,
Tiffany notes, “All Department of Agriculture, Markets, Department of Health and CT Grown guidelines will apply.” She aspires to the same look as [Lyme Farmers Market at] Ashlawn,” with the aim being to offer a “very classy ” market, focused on Connecticut-grown or-produced items such as dairy, beef, vegetables, herbs, jellies and syrups.
A view of the iconic Tiffany Farms where the Farmers Market will be held. Photo by Lisa Tiffany Simiola.
Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted, a non-canonical biopic of the invention of the pop-tart, contains a star-studded cast (led by Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, and Jim Gaffigan … along with cameo after cameo from A-list entertainers) that goes full-on ridiculous in this outrageous campy satire of The Sixties, and guarantees constant laughs throughout.
For the record, I doubt this will be considered for film festivals or award shows (just check out the ratings on Rotten Tomatoes of IMDb, after all.) But simply: it is amusing, captivating, entertaining and worth the watch.
The story is predictable: rival corporations (Kellogg’s and Post) fight to be the first to put a simple breakfast treat in grocery stores (mirroring the Space Race.) It involves secrets, betrayal, mafia-like tactics, cameos from iconic performers … but Unfrosted goes farther than any business rivalry could go, adding acts of treason and the loss of lives.
A predictable plot line, but fun jokes layered throughout its duration. To be truthful, it reminds me a great deal of the movies by Mel Brooks (Spaceballs in particular.)
What makes a satire great is pointing out social issues that we have subconsciously conditioned ourselves to and pointing out the absurdities that we have gone along with for years. Unfrosted contains joke after joke directed at the ideas of The Sixties that clearly did not age well (the Vietnam War, high fructose corn syrup, and above all: the Cold War).
But this satire is completely unrealistic. How so?
An award show that demonstrates the rivalry between Kellogg’s and Post is held at a local Holiday Inn, milkmen imitate the Teamsters, and the creation of Kellogg’s products mirrors that of a top-secret science lab. In fact, there is almost a cartoonish fantasy element to its storytelling.
But what is most appealing about this movie is not its jokes, but its length: only an hour and a half. The time will fly by and will be over before you know it.
It’s clear the creator of the show about nothing heeded the wisdom of the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, who quipped that a film’s length should match the endurance of the human bladder. And in this case, since it has been released through Netflix, one can conveniently stop and continue this quick film at one’s own pace anyway.
Again, this is not a groundbreaking film that will redefine cinema and comedy, as we know it. But it is a fun watch filled with entertainers that have been amusing us for decades, and makes a nice way to spend an hour and a half of our time.
Not all movies worth watching push the limits of art and define a generation.
It is no secret that I am a fan of the Criterion Collection/Channel, and can often recommend movies that could be considered “dry” by my peers … but I also consider Billy Madison and The Waterboy to be among my favorite movies (with no disrespect to Adam Sandler, who has always been lionized for how he has never given into his ego in pursuit of celebrity-status.)
About the Author: Though no longer a resident of Lyme, Kevin knows he can never sever his roots to the tree of his identity. When not attending to his job in Boston, he is committed to ensuring a better grasp of current (and past) releases of cinema to his home community as he strives to leave his own mark in the same field that has always been his guide to understanding life. If you enjoy his published reviews here on LymeLine.com, follow him on his website at ‘The City of Cinema‘ and read more of his unique insights into entertainment.
Jane Wisialowski, pictured above, has been nominated by 23rd District Democrats to run for State Representative in November. She will face incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney in the election. Photo by Ian Ragavanis of Ian R. Photography.
OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME/LYME/WESTBROOK—On Wednesday, May 15, delegates representing the 23rd House District towns of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook nominated Jane Wisialowski as the Democratic candidate for their State Representative.
A resident of Old Saybrook (OS) for 25 years, Wisialowski is a member of the OS Board of Education and an OS Parks & Recreation Commissioner. In addition to holding these elected positions, Wisialowski works as a professional conservator and fiduciary appointed by Connecticut probate judges to help individuals manage their financial and personal affairs.
She also currently serves as vice chair of the Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee (DTC).
In selecting her as the Democratic candidate for the Connecticut House of Representatives, District 23 delegates and area Democrats have praised Wisialowski for her long history of leadership and community service, and her commendable background in business development and care for families and individuals facing hardships.
“We are thrilled to put forward such a strong candidate to represent our district in Hartford,” said Old Lyme DTC Chair Kim Thompson.
She continued, “Jane has represented Democrats in important leadership positions in Old Saybrook and has a proven ability to connect with local voters. Her expansive professional network and sensitivity to issues facing seniors, women and families make her an excellent candidate for State Representative. We look forward to an exciting campaign season.”
In announcing her plans to run for State Representative, Wisialowski said, “I have learned through my work the hardships that many seniors face and the positive role that government can play in easing their burdens. I have learned through my own personal struggle to conceive the importance of IVF and a woman’s right to reproductive health care.”
She added, “I believe it is up to each of us to make our district the most thriving, equitable place it can be – one whose natural beauty is protected; where children can grow up with access to all the best books and without fear of gun violence; where seniors can live out their lives in dignity in homes they can afford; and where women can always have access to the health care they want and need.”
Wisialowski will run against five-term Republican incumbent Devin Carney in the November 2024 election.
She lives in Old Saybrook with her husband Todd and their two sons.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee.
