Category Archives: Headline News

Old Lyme EDC Welcomes Chocolate Shell New Owner to Lyme Street with Ribbon-Cutting, Former Longtime Owner Barbara Crowley Recognized for Service to Business Community

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The new owner of ‘The Chocolate Shell’ Lizzy McCarthy (holding scissors) cuts the celebratory ribbon provided by the Old Lyme (OL) Economic Development Commission (EDC). Joining the event were (from left to right) EDC member Jean Wilczynski, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd), EDC Chairwoman Cheryl Poirier, OL Selectman Matt Ward, OL First Selectman Timothy Griswold, OL Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, and EDC member Wendy Russell. All photos by John Stratton.

OLD LYME — A ribbon-cutting on Saturday morning welcomed the newest owner of The Chocolate Shell while the retiring owner was honored by the local community.

Lizzy McCarthy Takes the Helm at The Chocolate Shell

New owner Elizabeth “Lizzy” McCarthy is a longtime fan of The Chocolate Shell, having been a customer for 11 years and worked for former owner Barbara Crowley for one and a half years. “Owning a candy store is really a dream come true,” McCarthy shared, continuing, “It is so in line with being the candy lover that I am.”

McCarthy attended Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools and has been known by many for always having candy at the ready to share. “In high school, I would keep Laffy Taffy in my backpack’s water bottle holder.” When Crowley was considering retiring from owning the store after 11 years, the opportunity was perfect for McCarthy.

Lizzie McCarthy stands at the counter of her new candy store.

The store is a family affair for McCarthy, whose grandmother and mother can often be seen at the confection shop helping out. A photograph of a gumball machine, taken by McCarthy’s mother while she was a student in a photography class over 20 years ago, is proudly hung above the candies on display.

“We are so happy The Chocolate Shell can continue on Lyme Street,” said Cheryl Poirier, chair of the Old Lyme (OL) Economic Development Commission (EDC). 

She added, “So many businesses have trouble continuing when an owner is ready to step aside. We are thrilled that the traditions of this shop and the small business community fabric it’s part of will continue on – whether it’s afterschool candy-shopping by local school children or residents who stop in to purchase the perfect gift.”

Barbara Crowley Recognized for Her Contributions

State Rep. Devin Carney (left) presents the now retired owner of ‘The Chocolate Shell’ Barbara Crowley with a Citation from the Connecticut General Assembly honoring her commitment to the local business community. Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold stands to the right.

Before the ribbon cutting commenced, the Old Lyme (OL) Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the OL Board of Selectmen recognized the now retired owner Crowley for her years supporting the Old Lyme community since purchasing The Chocolate Shell in 2011.

State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) presented Crowley with a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly which had been introduced by State Rep. Carney and State Senator Paul Formica (R-20th). 

The citation, which State Rep. Carney read aloud, commended Crowley for her years of service in supporting Old Lyme small businesses. Both OL First Selectman Timothy Griswold and OL EDC Chair Poirier also noted Crowley’s service to the community and presented her with a Certificate of Recognition for her local business support.

After presenting Barbara Crowley with the Citation, State Rep. Devin Carney gave her a celebratory hug. Old Lyme EDC Chairwoman Cheryl Poirier stands to the left and OL First Selectman Timothy Griswold to the right.

This support included everything from assisting nonprofits with auction item donations, and participating in LOL Chamber and OL Arts District marketing activities, to promoting other businesses along the south end of Lyme Street. 

Poirier added, “As the EDC discussed Barbara’s retirement, it was very clear that she has always championed the local small business community that she has been a part of for more than 10 years.”

Crowley shared her appreciation with the gathered guests, who then enjoyed an outdoor reception hosted by the new ownership of The Chocolate Shell.

Old Lyme DTC, RTC Chairs Respond to Defacement of Stefanowski Signs

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OLD LYME — The signs on J. David Kelsey’s property supporting Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate for Governor, have been defaced.

We asked the respective Chairs of the Old Lyme Republican and Democratic Town Committees for their reaction to this occurrence.

Randy Nelson, Chairman of the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee, responded by email saying, “I have already written about it in CTExaminer. It is disgusting and should be condemned by all people of all parties. On behalf of the OL RTC , I condemn such defacement by anyone directed at any candidate of any party. I would hope the DTC of OL would join me in this assault on civility.”

We asked for a copy of his comments to CTExaminer, but have not yet received a response to that request.

Mary Jo Nosal, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, also responded by email saying, “The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee does not support, and has never supported or participated in political sign defacement or removal.

We also notice the increase in vitriolic and unsubstantiated claims against candidates and town officials. It would be useful to hear what the new Chair of the Old Lyme Republican Party offers in the way of solutions to reduce party polarization and the decreased civility he references, including the defacement and theft of political signs on private property, or the inappropriate placement of political signage on State property.

The Old Lyme DTC has been and remains supportive of improved respect for candidates during campaigns and of conduct that reflects the values of all voters in Old Lyme.”

After Major Renovations, the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ is Successfully Launched in Kittery Point, Maine; Group from Old Lyme Attends Ceremony

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Editor’s Note i): The background to the story below is that the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ boat was indeed once owned by the late Mervin F. Roberts of Old Lyme. Mr. Roberts, who passed away at age 98 in Dec. 2020, was an Old Lyme Citizen of the Year, a Town Selectman, Chaplain of the Old Lyme Fire Department for 50 years and also active in the town in many other committees and groups.

Since 2011, a group of volunteers has been involved in restoring the Wood Island Life Saving Station (WILSS) on Wood Island off Kittery Point in Maine. The station was falling into disrepair and the dream was to restore the station and convert it into both a museum and also a memorial to the brave men, who had manned the rescue boats in all weathers.

One of those volunteers happened to see the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ former coast guard rescue boat for sale on Facebook by David Smith of Essex, Conn.

The WILSS Association President Sam Reid then started to research the namesake of the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ boat. He came across an article published in LymeLine.com by Michele Dickey about Mr. Roberts and then emailed me (Olwen Logan – LymeLine.com editor/publisher) to gain more information. I then connected Reid to Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, who, in turn, connected Reid to Mr. Roberts.

On Oct. 31, 2020, Reid came down and visited Mr. Roberts in his home and learned the history of the boat from him first-hand. That interview was recorded and is included in this video about the extraordinary history of the boat.

The WILSSA purchased the ‘Mervin F Roberts’ from Smith and meanwhile Griswold undertook to raise $6,875 to pay for transportation of the boat from Connecticut to Maine, ultimately exceeding that target.

It transpired that not only is the boat a 1930s US Coast Guard rescue craft – a modified Type SR pulling surfboat – but also it has now been confirmed by national maritime expert Tim Dring that only 110 of these boats were ever made, and only five survive to this day. Moreover, the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ appears to be the only one of the five remaining boats that can still be used in the water. 

These boats with a length of 25 ft. 6 ins. were built in the Curtis Bay Yard south of Baltimore, Md. Originally they were powered by eight rowers directed by a helmsman. These “surfmen” would go out and assist mariners in distress at any time of the year, often in extremely challenging conditions and returning with up to 14 rescued passengers.

By an extraordinary coincidence, one of the original 110 boats was in place at Wood Island in 1947.

Many thanks to Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, who attended the launch ceremony in Maine on Friday, for the report below and all the photos. Ten other Old Lyme residents made the trip from Old Lyme to Maine to celebrate the launch. They included Mr. Roberts’s daughter Edie Ritz Main, former Old Lyme Selectman Arthur ‘Skip’ Sibley, Skip and Nancy Beebe, Ellis and Mary Ellen Jewett, and Bill Kelly and his wife.

Visit these links to read a selection of related articles:
Griswold Launches Effort to Raise Funds to Purchase Unique ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ Rescue Boat for Maritime Museum in Maine By Olwen Logan, published Nov. 19, 2020.

Old Lyme Donations Fund Transport of Historic ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ Rescue Boat to Maine to Form Working Museum Exhibit; Video Link Included By Olwen Logan, published May 26, 2021.

Death of Mervin Roberts Announced, “Old Lyme Has Lost One of its Most Remarkable Citizens” (T. Griswold) By Olwen Logan, published Dec. 30, 2020.

Old Lyme Says Poignant Farewell to the ‘Ever Thoughtful’ Mervin F. Roberts By Olwen Logan, published Jan 4, 2021.

KITTERY POINT, MAINE — Friday, Sept. 30, was a beautiful day for the launch of the rescue boat named the Mervin F. Roberts.

The rowing crew mustered at the home of Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) President Sam Reid’s house in Kittery Point (see photo above) to be issued their 14 ft. oars and seat assignments.

Reid briefed the crew before they marched to the Town Dock with their oars in the upright position.

One of the rowers was Rear Admiral John Mauser, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, pictured above with Griswold, who is a former Navy man himself.

After months of renovation, the Mervin F. Roberts arrived at the Kittery Point Town Dock at about 12:15 p.m. to a warm welcome from the 120 or so well-wishers.

The Mervin F. Roberts was expertly launched and her master craftsman, Nate Greely, navigated her to the end of the dock, with the assistance of her new electric motor.

The rowers and helmsman Reid boarded her and began the approximate one-mile journey to Wood Island, accompanied by a flotilla of small boats.

The spectators were ferried to the Island and disembarked on the new floating dock and ascended the 80 ft. gangway to the Life Saving Station.

All marveled at the improvements to the Station, pictured above, as they awaited the arrival of the Mervin F. Roberts.

As she arrived, the crew raised their oars to the vertical position, disembarked and marched smartly up the gangway.

The custom-built marine railway cradle, pictured below, was ready and waiting for its first customer …

The next step was to for the Mervin F. Roberts to gently approach the marine railway cradle …

Then the Mervin F. Roberts needed to be carefully placed on the cradle and finally hoisted up to the Station.

Once that was done, Reid addressed the crowd and thanked dozens of people for their generosity and wonderful work.

He recognized the 11 visitors from Old Lyme and told the crowd the amazing story of how the Mervin F. Roberts came to make the journey from Old Lyme, Conn. all the way up to Wood Island in Maine.

All were urged to explore the Island and check out the Wood Island Life Saving Station (stem to stern). The Mervin F. Roberts was moved into one of the two stalls, where she will reside as the focal point of the museum.

Reid explained that she will be an interactive exhibit, meaning she will be launched from time to time to tell the story of the hardy mariners, who manned Wood Island and other life-saving stations.

And let us not forget the true hero of this story. Pictured above is a smiling Mervin F. Roberts at his home in Old Lyme on Oct. 31, 2020.

When Sam Reid, Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) President, met with Roberts on that day in Old Lyme, Roberts presented the WILSSA with this piece of artwork, which will be hung in the Museum on Wood Island in remembrance of the remarkable man and his extraordinary boat.

Editor’s Note ii): Visit this link to read an article published in SeacoastOnline.com about the Sept. 30 launch of the ‘Mervin F. Roberts.’

Old Lyme Planning Commission Approves Nine-Lot, Gated Community at 16 Neck Rd. with 75 ft. Conservation Easement

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OLD LYME — At its Special Meeting & Public Hearing on Thursday evening, the Old Lyme Planning Commission approved the proposed subdivision at 16 Neck Rd. with the addition of a 75 ft. Conservation Easement proposed by the developer — Keystone Capital Corporation — on the Connecticut River side of the property that will be maintained in perpetuity. 

Members did not, however, support the Old Lyme Open Space Commission’s request to ask the developer for a $105,010 fee to compensate for the fact that no publicly-accessible open space is included in the plan.

The majority of Planning Commission members accepted that the open space proposed by the developer in the form of the Conservation Easement was adequate.

Commission Chairman Harold Thompson, Members Barbara Gaudio, and Don Willis and Alternate Matt Ward (seated for Rob McCarthy) supported the motion to approve the subdivision. Alternate Jim Lampos (seated for Todd Machnik) voted against the motion.

Lampos had proposed a 500 ft. easement and a reduction in the number of lots.

The land at 16 Neck Rd. is the same area where the HOPE Partnership endeavored to secure approval for a 37-unit Affordable Housing development back in 2018, which became a highly controversial topic in the community.

The new proposal is for a gated community of nine building lots.

Both the OL Open Space Commission and the Connecticut (CT) River Gateway Commission had submitted letters to the Planning Commission regarding the project. Both letters can be viewed in full at the links given immediately above.

Several other individuals had also submitted letters and emails related to the project.

The Open Space Commission’s letter, dated Sept. 6, and signed by its co-chairs Amanda Blair and Evan Griswold, states, “It appears that no open space is indicated on the applicant’s plan and, even if land were set aside, the gated premises to be accessed by private roadway would not afford public access.”

The letter continues, “In accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. § 8-25, when there is not a suitable area within a subdivision and when there are other areas with[in] Town that the Open Space Commission considers more beneficial to be preserved, the Planning Commission may authorize the applicant to pay a fee in lieu of open space of up to 10% of land’s pre-subdivision appraised value.”

The two-page letter proposes that, although, “It is the Planning Commission’s discretion to determine such payment,” the Planning Commission should request the 10 percent fee of the purchase price from the developer, which it states, “… would equal $105,010.”

These monies would then be used by the Open Space Commission to assist in the purchase other open space properties in the town as they arise. The letter explains, “Although we cannot identify the specific parcels, we will report to you that the Open Space Commission is now actively talking to or considering approaching the owners of at least four properties in Town for acquisition.”

Asked about the possibility of the Open Space Commission receiving a fee in lieu of the absence of open space in a building proposal, Griswold responded in a phone conversation with LymeLine that, “This  has happened before,” citing the example of a proposed development on Binney Rd. submitted, “Around three years ago.”

He added, however, that a similar previous request by the Open Space Commission regarding a proposed development on Mile Creek Rd. was declined by the Planning Commission on the basis it was, “A family-oriented subdivision.”

The CT River Gateway Commission four-page letter, dated Sept. 8 and signed by the Deputy Director of the River COG [Council of Governments] Staff, Gateway Commission Torrance Downes, describes the property at 16 Neck Rd. as, “A highly visible riverfront parcel.” 

In summary, the letter says, “The Gateway Commission would recommend [a Conservation] easement be placed along the banks of the Connecticut River at the western end of the property.”

It goes on to request that the Planning Commission should, “… use all of the regulatory tools available in its decision-making process to manage the development of the site – at least with respect to the western hillside of the property facing the Connecticut River.”

The letter continues, “Protection of natural areas including mature tree stands is recommended for consideration of open space designation,” noting, “Retention of an attractive and rural community appearance, which would include the treed hillsides of the Connecticut River, should be “one of the most important criteria used in land use decision making”.”

The letter concludes, “Community Appearance recommendations state visual details including preservation of natural site features and vistas are critical components of the town character Old Lyme is charged with protecting.”

Join a Fireside Chat with NYT Best-Selling Author Luanne Rice in Old Lyme

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On Oct. 29, New York Times best-selling author Luanne Rice will speak at the Old Lyme-PGN Library. File photo.

OLD LYME — On Saturday, Oct. 29, join New York Times best-selling author Luanne Rice for a fireside chat. The event will be held in the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library’s 1898 Reading Room starting at 3 p.m.

Always an engaging speaker, Rice will talk about books, art, writing, inspiration and life in Old Lyme.

Tickets are $50 per person and include a delicious charcuterie snack prepared by Cloud 9. The ticket price also includes a choice of an adult beverage.

Seating is limited and advance ticket purchase is required. Register at OldLymeLibrary.org

Copies of The Shadow Box and other select titles by Rice will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Bank Square Books.