Lyme School students welcomed visiting veterans with a colorful message. All photos courtesy of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.
LYME/OLD LYME—On Monday, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools commemorated Veterans Day with a breakfast for local veterans followed by ceremonies in each school incorporating speeches, music and singing to honor all veterans.
Veterans including Joe LaCasse (right) and former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold (second from right) enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Lyme-Old Lyme Middles School to kick off the festivities.
Students of all ages were involved in the day’s events.
This young man performed an important role serving fresh fruit to the Middle School’s honored guests.
After breakfast at the middle school, the veterans attended a program in their honor in the auditorium.
VFW Post 1467 Commander Richard Mason (left) commented on the success of the day’s events, saying, “We bonded with middle school and high school students and staff as well as community friends.”
This was a very nice, inspirational day enjoying Veterans Day side-by-side with our students and community members. The students celebrated the day with heart and passion with our vets.Later they moved to Lyme-Old Lyme High School for another event, also commemorating veterans.
Longtime music teacher Jacob Wilson conducts the high school band.
At Lyme School, a tea was held for the veterans
The generations mixed seamlessly during a tea held for the veterans held at Lyme School.
A reception was held at the high school after the program there allowing the veterans to mingle with the students.
Veteran David Griswold (center) stands with two fellow veterans at the reception following the high school program.
VFW Post 1467 Commander Mason summed up the day, saying, “This was a very nice, inspirational day enjoying Veterans Day side-by-side with our students and community members. The students celebrated the day with heart and passion with our vets.”
The color guard delivered the flags to the fonr of the high school auditorium.
It was a truly memorable day for all involved.
The welcoming sign at the Middle School that greeted the arriving veterans.
Local Heroes: the veterans gathered outside Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall for a commemorative photo. All photos by Martha Shoemaker.
OLD LYME — A brief ceremony honoring Veterans Day was held Monday at the flagpole in front of Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall.
A wreath was laid Monday at the flagpole in front of Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall and then the flag was raised.
Current and former members of the military from Old Lyme gathered at the flagpole to honor those, who have given their lives to preserve the freedom of their country, and those who have served in the past or continue to serve today.
Richard Mason, Commander of VFW Post 1467, stands at right with Joe Lacasse in the center while Larry Ghirardi speaks.
The simple service was relatively short, but still poignant.
Retired Colonel Bill Bachman addresses the veterans gathered around the flagpole while Richard Mason, Commander of VFW Post 1467, stands at left.
A three-gun-salute was fired to commemorate all veterans everywhere.
Preparing to fire …
Here at LymeLine, we thank all veterans for your past or present service and commemorate all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
This postcard will be arriving in Lyme residents’ mailboxes during the coming week.
LYME —11/24: UPDATE: Some residents living in the same household have reported that the survey would not permit more than one household member to complete the survey, if both respondents used the same device (computer, phone, iPad, etc.) to access the survey. This problem has been solved. More than one household member may now respond using the same device.
Other residents have reported they hadn’t received a postcard or may have unintentionally discarded their postcard. As a result, the Town of Lyme will send out another round of the postcards and extend the deadline for completing the survey to January 16.
Lyme residents who experience problems with taking the survey should contact Lyme Planning & Zoning Commission member Carol House at 703-989-1334.
ORIGINAL POST: On Nov. 7, the Town of Lyme announced that it is launching a community-wide survey of its residents to gather the information and opinions that will serve as the basis for the Town’s 2025 “Plan of Conservation & Development.” (The State of Connecticut requires towns to prepare and adopt a Plan of Conservation & Development every 10 years.)
This plan, once developed, will spell out the policies, goals, priorities and standards that will guide the Town’s physical and economic development over the next 10 years, and will be used by Town boards and commissions as a basis for decision making.
The community survey invites residents to share their thoughts and opinions on topics that include transportation improvements, recycling initiatives, recreational services, emergency services, open space, property taxes, zoning regulations, dark-sky initiatives and affordable housing.
In the coming week, every Lyme household or property owner will be receiving a postcard in the mail that contains a Survey ID Code assigned specifically to them.
To see what the postcard will look like, look at the image above and click here to see the reverse of the postcard.
Residents can plug in the Survey ID Code at a special page on the Town of Lyme website at www.townlyme.org/survey to open and complete the 20-minute survey.
In announcing the upcoming survey to residents, Lyme First Selectman David Lahm said, “This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our Town.”
Lyme’s last Plan of Conservation & Development was issued in 2015.
Lyme residents who do not receive a postcard or cannot take the survey online should contact First Selectman David Lahm at selectman@townlyme.org or call 860-434-7733 to request a paper copy of the survey.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Town of Lyme.
Silas Lee’s gravestone reinstalled in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Old Lyme. All photos courtesy of OLCA.
OLD LYME—On Sept. 14, 2024, the Old Lyme Cemetery Association (OLCA) reinstalled a small headstone at the historic Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, established in 1696.
The scenic burying ground near the site of the town’s first meetinghouse is no longer active, and the inscriptions on many of its aging gravestones cannot now be deciphered. No one had noticed that the headstone for a young child, who died almost three centuries ago, was missing.
Silas Lee died at age one year and seven days on April 27, 1741.
Silas Lee’s gravestone as found on the beach in Old Saybrook.
His gravestone was recently discovered by walkers looking for shells on a stretch of beach north of the inner lighthouse in Old Saybrook, across the Connecticut River from Griswold Point.
The beach in Old Saybrook where the gravestone was discovered in March 2023.
Erosion had exposed the corner of the brownstone marker protruding from a sandy bank some 18 inches below the surface of an adjoining field. Remarkably, the stone was still intact with its inscription well preserved.
Norman Peck at the Thomas Lee House with Silas Lee’s gravestone on December 22, 2023
After its discovery, the gravestone for Silas Lee, “son of Stephen, Esquire & Abigail,” was brought to the historic Thomas Lee House in East Lyme and given to Norman Peck, a Lee descendant and president of the East Lyme Historical Society. Recognizing that Capt. Stephen Lee’s family had lived in what is now Old Lyme, Peck transferred the gravestone to the Old Lyme Historical Society whose president, Mark Terwilliger, contacted the Old Lyme Cemetery Association (OLCA.)
Silas Lee’s footstone as found in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Old Lyme.
The OLCA then identified the child’s burial site in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where they found the lichen-covered markers of his family and discovered a small slanting footstone with the initials S.L. The Lee family markers likely represent the work of James Stanclift II, who with his father, carved many of the earliest brownstone monuments in Old Lyme’s burying places.
Now, Silas Lee’s headstone stands once again in its original location and his footstone has been cleaned and straightened. The mystery of how or why the headstone ended up in Old Saybrook remains unsolved.
Old Lyme Cemetery Association volunteers Connor and Patrick Gingras and David Frankel reinstall Silas Lee’s gravestone in September 2024.
The marker was still standing in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in 1934 when it was recorded in the Charles R. Hale Report, an inventory of Old Lyme’s burying places published that year. While some speculate that the gravestone may have been taken as part of a teenage prank, no evidence yet supports that theory. The marker was found intact with no chips, cracks, or breaks to suggest a hasty or clandestine removal.
While the curious journey of Silas Lee’s gravestone has not been explained, the OLCA is grateful to all who helped return it to its rightful resting place in the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery.
To learn more about the Old Lyme Cemetery Association, including how to get involved with cemetery restoration, visit https://oldlymecemeteries.org/.
“American Royalty” by Dawn Bisharat in acrylic is one of the featured paintings in the ‘Bon Appetit’ show currently on view at the Lyme Art Association.
OLD LYME—On Sunday, Nov. 10, Lyme Art Association (LAA) will hold an Opening Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. for three new shows, Deck the Walls, Bon Appétit and a guest exhibit from the Society of Connecticut Sculptors. All are welcome and admission is free.
Deck the Walls is the LAA’s most festive exhibition. Visitors will discover a beautiful array of art to lift the spirits in various themes, sizes and mediums in this delightful show juried by Annie Wildey. This show returns each year during the holidays, just in time for gift-giving.
The LAA member show, Bon Appétit, juried by Shawn Kenney, spans still life masterpieces featuring sumptuous fruit bowls to vivid depictions of bustling farmers’ markets, Bon Appetit promises a feast for both visual and culinary senses.
All three shows are on view through Dec. 31. Additionally, starting Nov. 8 the LAA will showcase the talents of its instructors with an exhibit of their artwork.
Look for music in the galleries select weekend afternoons during the run of the shows, with a special performance by musicians from the Community Art School in Essex.
When you enter, don’t miss the Partner Wall, featuring paintings of dancers by Mike Laiuppa. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these pieces will benefit Eastern Connecticut Ballet just in time for Nutcracker season.
After enjoying all the shows, stroll across to the Old Lyme Inn and/or the Side Door Jazz Club for cocktails, dinner or an evening of entertainment.
Finally, don’t forget to give yourself a creative treat this holiday season. This November and December the Lyme Art Association has weekend workshops for every level of artist, including beginners, taught by favorite instructors Jeanne Carol Potter, Lisa Miceli, Howard Park, Christine Ivers, and Bob Noreika.
Register early for children’s art programs on Sunday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring stories illustrated by award-winning artists and holiday-themed projects for each young artist to take home.
Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the Lyme Art Association continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction, lectures, and other public programs to the community.
The LAA is located at 90 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, CT, in a building designed by Lyme colony artist and architect, Charles Adams Platt, and located within the national historic district. Admission is free with contributions appreciated. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 5 p.m., or by appointment.
For more information on exhibits, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, visit the LAA website at www.lymeartassociation.org or call (860) 434-7802.
