Category Archives: Events

Donation Days for Christ the King’s Rummage Sale Continue Through Saturday

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Organizers promise something for everyone at the Harvest Festival. All photos of past festivals courtesy of Christ the King Church.

OLD LYME–Volunteers at Christ the King Church in Old Lyme are gearing up for the annual Harvest Festival, a family-friendly event offering something for everyone, from Sept. 20 to 21.

Donations Sought

Donations for the King’s Rummage Sale will be accepted Wednesday, Sept. 3 through Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon (except Sunday, Sept. 7) at the church.

Evening hours will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, and Thursday, Sept. 11, only.

All items should be in good condition. The church is seeking furniture, housewares, sporting goods, jewelry, artwork, toys, books, CDs/DVDs, tools, linens, and
more.

Organizers will not accept clothes (except for coats), shoes, or textbooks.

For the first time, volunteers will collect winter coats for the St. Vincent de Paul organization.

A complete list of acceptable and unacceptable items can be found here.

Festival Day

Doors will be open Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Festival-goers can begin their day browsing the bargains at the Rummage Sale, where they’ll find housewares and kitchen items, books, CDs and DVDs, holiday decorations, furniture, jewelry, artwork, toys and more.

Organizers promise something for everyone at the Harvest Festival Rummage Sale.

The younger set can try their luck at outdoor games, such as soccer kick, hockey shot and bowling, while their family members bid on creative themed baskets, gift certificates, original artwork, and unique items at the Silent Auction.

Face painting is just one of the activities for children to enjoy.

Organizers advise visitors to come hungry so they can enjoy lunch served up by the Men’s Club while being entertained by local musicians.

Entertainment is on deck at the Harvest Festival, like these performers from the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools’ Select Singers.
These are just some of the tempting treats visitors might find at the Bake Sale.

The festival would not be complete without homemade goodies at the Bake Sale or the pumpkins, mums, and ornamentals available for purchase at the Fall Plants & Produce stand.

On Sunday, the Plant Sale, Silent Auction and Rummage Sale return, with most rummage items marked half price.

Admission to Christ the King’s Harvest Festival is free. The church is located at 1 McCurdy Road.

All Welcome to Celebrate Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden Volunteers, Saturday

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Volunteers of all ages have helped the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden grow. Earlier this year, Eco Warriors from Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School uncovered cabbage in the garden at Town Woods Park.

OLD LYME–On Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m., the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) will celebrate its volunteers in an end-of-season gathering at Town Woods Park. 

All are welcome to the free event, which includes sandwiches and drinks. Salads and desserts are welcome but not essential.  

LOLFSG in a press release said the nonprofit group this year donated more than 3,700 pounds of produce to the United Way and the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. The bounty adds up to more than 12,000 pounds delivered since 2022. 

“Garden volunteers come in many varieties,” the group said. “On-site gardeners show up on cold and damp March days, hot and humid July days and on glorious weather days in any month. They plant, weed, harvest, manage pests, fertilize, innovate, problem-solve and so much more.”

Other volunteers publicize the work of the garden, foster community relationships, fundraise, donate money, inspire new volunteers and perform many other tasks, according to the group.  

“As a fully volunteer nonprofit organization, it all matters and it is all appreciated,” organizers said. “Please help us celebrate!”

The Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden is located at 26 Town Woods Rd behind the field house and playground.

Lyme Library Hosts Used Book Sale Saturday

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LymeLine file photo.

LYME–The Friends of the Lyme Library host their annual Used Book Sale Friday, Sept. 12  and Saturday, Sept. 13. It kicks off today from 3 to 7 p.m.

On Saturday, books will be sold at half price from 10 a.m to noon for the first half of the sale. From 12:30 to 4 p.m., shoppers will able to fill a bag for $10.

Organizers describe the books as near-new at very discounted prices. 

The remaining offerings at the Lyme Public Library this month include a wide array of readings, classes, clubs and unique explorations of the arts. The following is just one of the events on the September schedule: 

“Twice Told Tales” with Janet Roach
6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23

An evening of entertainment and community connection returns with local Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, Janet Roach, as she guides the audience through some of her favorite films. 

Twice Told Tales, held in two installments, will feature two movies with similar plots from different directors. It kicks off with “Philadelphia Story,” directed by George Cukor, starring Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and James Stewart. The romantic comedy follows a rich divorcee, her ex-husband and a tabloid reporter through all the emotional fireworks on the eve of her remarriage. 

The second installment on Oct. 7 will feature the musical comedy “High Society,” followed by a potluck dinner. 

To register, send an email to programreg@lymepl.org. 

Check out these events, and many more, on the library’s website. 

All Welcome to Celebrate Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden Volunteers Saturday

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Volunteers of all ages have helped the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden grow. Earlier this year, Eco Warriors from Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School uncovered cabbage in the garden at Town Woods Park.

OLD LYME–On Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m., the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG) will celebrate its volunteers in an end-of-season gathering at Town Woods Park. 

All are welcome to the free event, which includes sandwiches and drinks. Salads and desserts are welcome but not essential.  

LOLFSG in a press release said the nonprofit group this year donated more than 3,700 pounds of produce to the United Way and the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. The bounty adds up to more than 12,000 pounds delivered since 2022. 

“Garden volunteers come in many varieties,” the group said. “On-site gardeners show up on cold and damp March days, hot and humid July days and on glorious weather days in any month. They plant, weed, harvest, manage pests, fertilize, innovate, problem-solve and so much more.”

Other volunteers publicize the work of the garden, foster community relationships, fundraise, donate money, inspire new volunteers and perform many other tasks, according to the group.  

“As a fully volunteer nonprofit organization, it all matters and it is all appreciated,” organizers said. “Please help us celebrate!”

The Lyme Old Lyme Food Share Garden is located at 26 Town Woods Rd behind the field house and playground.

LYSB Helps Bring Suicide Prevention to Baldwin Bridge; Launch Event Planned on Old Lyme Side of Bridge, Sept. 19

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OLD LYME–Two local groups with a focus on children and families have partnered to help save lives on the Baldwin Bridge. 

The Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) and Old Saybrook Youth & Family Services (OSYFS) in a press release this week announced the installation of suicide prevention and mental health resource signs on both sides of the bridge. 

Organizers said the project was motivated by the actions of Connecticut State Police Sgt. Ashley Harkins and Sgt. Matthew Belz in December 2023. That’s when the troopers responded to the bridge to help a woman who had climbed from the pedestrian sidewalk over the metal safety fencing and was precariously seated on a 5-inch ledge, according to state police. 

Harkins and Belz were successful in convincing the individual to come back over the railing to safety.

The signs offer resources to those who need support, including a QR code to take people directly to a website that can help them in the moment. 

OSYFS Director Heather McNeil, who is a mental health professional, said it’s important to have support within reach when people feel the most distressed and vulnerable. 

“The thought of taking one’s life can sometimes be an impulsive decision, and if we can interrupt that thought process with information about how to get help, it may save a life,” McNeil said. 

The project was introduced to LYSB Director Mary Seidner, who was instrumental in moving this forward. 

“We reached out to OSYFS, met with SERAC (Southeastern Regional Action Council), learned the steps of how to receive permission to install signage through the DOT, and things began to fall into place,” she said. “Our goal is simple but vital: to create a prevention resource where people can clearly follow steps to seek help.” 

The campaign includes community events, training programs, support networks, and partnerships with mental health professionals to ensure no one faces their struggles alone.

McNeil identified connection as the primary prevention tool.  

“Suicide is preventable, and with the right tools, education, and compassion, we can make a meaningful difference,” she said. 

A public launch event will be held Friday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. on the Old Lyme side of the Baldwin Bridge sidewalk approach, featuring guest speakers and mental health resource booths. The public is encouraged to attend.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text “HELLO” to 741741 for free, confidential support at any time.