OLD LYME—It was a great Halloween night on Lyme Street yesterday. The weather cooperated and smiling, sometimes scary, faces were everywhere. Community spirit filled the air and all the tension and tribulations of next Tuesday’s election were left at home.
Enjoy our photo essay of the evening. Huge thanks to our in-town photographer Michele Dickey for being there on the street to capture the fun.
We will add more of her terrific photos later today.
To the Editor:
We live in a representative democracy and this November you are being charged with electing fellow Old Lyme residents to be your representatives on local boards and commissions. One of the most basic things you should expect from your representatives is that they show up, at least most of the time, so that they can understand the issues and represent your interests. We do have alternates for many of our boards who step in when a regular member is ill or has some other unavoidable conflict. However, there are issues that carry over multiple meetings and repeated absences can lead to representatives making decisions without having all important information.
This is extremely relevant in this year’s Board of Finance race. Kimberly Thompson, the Democratic candidate, has served on this board since November 2021. Since being sworn in to her seat, Kim has only missed one meeting. Since January 2024, one of her opponents, J. David Kelsey, has missed 12 meetings, constituting about 35% of the total. Five of these missed meetings have been in 2025 and, as of this writing, David has not been seen at the Board of Finance since June. To earn your vote, members should show up for Old Lyme. Please join me in voting for Kimberly Thompson on November 4 for a full Board of Finance seat.
Sincerely,
Leanne Viola,
Old Lyme.
OLD LYME–On Saturday, Nov. 8, big orange gourds will be flying at the second annual Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) Pumpkin Toss.
The event will run from 9 to 11 a.m. at Town Woods Park, 30 Town Woods Road.
The event offers families a fun venue to recycle their Halloween pumpkins for a good cause, according to an LOLFSG press release.
Building on the popular pumpkin chunkin’ phenomenon, garden volunteers will deploy a trebuchet to toss the pumpkins into the compost pile.
The group said pumpkins from last year’s toss broke down through the composting process into nutrient-rich soil, which helped the Foodshare garden grow over three tons of produce for donation to the Gemma Moran United Way food distribution program and the Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries.
Only unpainted pumpkins will be accepted.
LYME — The Lyme Public Hall’s Chowder Dinner is a longstanding Lyme Public Hall tradition, served up a beautiful historic setting. The public is invited to stop by on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 5 to 7 pm, either to dine at the Hall or for take-away to enjoy at home.
The dinner features hearty homemade clam and corn chowders (free refills and vegetarian option available), special recipe coleslaw, green salad from Falls Brook Organic Farm, locally made breads, and homemade apple crisp.
Prices for the hearty meal are at the same price as last year, although local fresh clam prices have been rising dramatically in the past few years. $20 for a complete meal at the Hall; $10 for kids 7-12 and children under 7 eat for free; cash or checks accepted.
Chowder quarts to take home are available for $20, or a complete meal can be assembled to go for the same price.
Head Chef Bill Denow will hold to tradition using the best ingredients, and he promises you will not have to hunt around to find a clam in his recipe; your spoon will always find a satisfying clam bite!
This year, the Public Hall would like to help support the Shoreline Soup Kitchens at the same time that this traditional event is being enjoyed, and is asking everyone to bring a can to contribute if you are able.
The Lyme Public Hall is located at 249 Hamburg Rd. (Rte. 156) in Lyme, Conn.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Lyme Public Hall & Local History Archives.
For more information, visit www.lymepublichall.org
OLD LYME–The Florence Griswold Museum today announced Executive Director Joshua Campbell Torrance will step down on Nov. 26 of this year to move to a new position in Cooperstown, NY.
Torrance, who led the museum since February 2023 and oversaw the planning stages for a $17.8 million renovation and expansion project announced last month, has accepted a leadership role at Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm and Country Village.
The Florence Griswold Museum in a Thursday press release said its Board of Trustees has named Peter Steere, the current director of administration, as interim director. Steere held the position since 2024, following his retirement as chief operating officer for Yale Health.
Steere brings 40 years of senior executive experience in strategic planning, human resources management, and major expansion projects.
Board Chairwoman Barbara Harms identified Steere as a seasoned project manager.
“Our staff is exceptional, and devoted to the museum and its future,” she said. “There will be no interruption to our expansion plans.”
Torrance will serve as senior vice president overseeing the two Fenimore museum sites before taking over as president and CEO with the retirement of Dr. Paul S. D’Ambrosio.
Harms lauded Torrance for his role in the Florence Griswold Museum’s planned expansion, which she said included multiple in-depth studies, revised vision and mission statements, and an institutional rebrand to honor the museum’s history while preparing for its future.
“Joshua’s tenure was a time of study, planning, and clear strategic direction,” Harms said. “We appreciate his guidance and inspiration, and we look forward to advancing the plans developed under his leadership as scheduled.”
Torrance described himself as privileged to have worked with the museum’s board, staff members and volunteers.
“I am grateful to them for allowing me to be a small part of their distinguished history and impressive future,” he said.
The museum said the move is a homecoming for Torrance, who received a master’s degree in history museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program at SUNY Oneonta, and whose first job after graduation was at the Fenimore Art Museum in 1998 as curatorial assistant under then-Vice President D’Ambrosio.
“I am confident that under Joshua’s leadership the future of Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm are in good hands,” D’Ambrosio said. “There is no one I trust more with the stewardship of two places that have meant so much and been such a large part of my life, for forty-two years.”