Category Archives: Chester

Area Legislators to Host Lyme Disease Prevention Forum in East Haddam Tonight

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd)

EAST HADDAM — State Representatives Devin Carney (R-23rd), Melissa Ziobron (R-34th) and Robert Siegrist (R-36th) will be hosting an informational forum presented by the BLAST Tick-borne Prevention Program to address Lyme Disease prevention.

The forum will take place on Wednesday, June 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the East Haddam Grange Hall, 488 Town Street, East Haddam.

The event is open to the public and no registration is required.

The BLAST Tick-borne Prevention Program was developed in 2008 by the Ridgefield, CT Public Health Department, BLAST stands for: Bathe after outdoor activity, Look for Ticks and rashes, Apply repellent, Spray the yard and Treat pets.

The legislators can be reached by phone (800) 842-1423 or online at www.repziobron.com, www.repcarney.com andwww.repsiegrist.com.

Local DTC’s Host ‘Blue Wave Fest’ This Afternoon in Chester

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Citizens from across the lower Connecticut River Valley and shoreline will come together tomorrow, June 24, for a day of civic engagement to explore and challenge the current policies impacting democracy in the US, and emphasizing the importance of everyone exercising their right to vote.

The Blue Wave Fest will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Chester Fairgrounds, Chester, Conn. Speakers include:

  • endorsed gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont;
  • Secretary of the State, Denise Merrill;
  • State Sen. Beth Bye;
  • political pundit Bill Curry;
  • musician Tyler Suarez, whose aunt Dawn Hochsprung was killed in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School;
  • lifelong activist and author Miriam Butterworth;
  • Rev. John Selders, co-founder of Moral Monday and the Poor People Campaign-CT;
  • Po Murray, co-founder of Newtown Action Alliance;
  • Will Kneerim of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS);
  • candidates for the General Assembly seats in the region.

“We live in an unprecedented moment when civil discourse, freedom of the press, constitutional norms, protection from foreign interference in our elections, and even widely-shared facts about science are under daily attack,” said Marta Daniels, a Chester resident and Chair of the Fest. “The traditional institutional brakes on government interference are completely absent. Our first opportunity to remedy these assaults on our democracy is coming in November when citizens can go to the polls and vote. The Blue Wave Fest had its origins in this idea,” she said.

The Blue Wave Fest features local musicians, 20+ issue speakers, state and federal legislators, state and local office seekers and 35 information exhibitors offering valuable insight into how citizens, communities and organizations are taking action to face the most pressing challenges affecting our democracy today.

This big tent event is co-sponsored by the 15 Democratic Town Committees of Chester, Deep River, Essex, Clinton, East Haddam, Haddam, East Hampton, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, Westbrook, Madison and Colchester. All are welcome. There is no admission fee.

For the Blue Wave Fest line-up of presenters/speakers visit www.BlueWaveFeat.com

State Awards $1.25M to Valley Shore Emergency Communications for Upgrades

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Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman stands with Paul Fazzino, President of Valley Shore Emergency Response after the announcement was made.

After years of planning and local town coordination, the Valley Shore Emergency Communications received critical state funding to upgrade emergency communications for numerous towns in the region. Valley Shore Emergency Communications serves the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme along with Chester, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, and Westbrook. 

The State Bond Commission approved $1.25 million in grant-in-aid to the Town of Essex on behalf of the Valley Shore Emergency Communications, Inc. The funding will be used for upgrades to the outdated emergency radio dispatch system serving 11 towns. The upgrades will interconnect all member towns and allow coordination with adjoining systems to allow for better communication for police, fire and ambulances.

“I want to thank the tremendous work of the various public safety departments to make today a reality,” said Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman. “Throughout this process we worked together to bring our local emergency communications into the 21st century. This new funding will strengthen the safety of our towns and allow our public safety employees to better serve our communities.”

Democratic Candidates Come to Town: Old Lyme Forum Offers Opportunity to State Positions, Take Questions

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Ned Lamont, a Democratic candidate for Connecticut Governor, addresses the audience at Monday evening’s forum in Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.  All photos by M.J. Nosal.

Around 100 residents of Lyme, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook turned out at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Monday night for a Democratic Candidate Forum arranged by the Democratic Town Committees of the three area municipalities.  Local residents heard from and were able to ask questions directly of: Ned Lamont, candidate for governor (pictured above);

Old Lyme Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder stands at the podium to introduce Denise Merrill.

Denise Merrill, incumbent candidate for secretary of the state;

Shawn Wooden is one of the candidates running for State Treasurer — State Senator Art Linares (R-33rd) is another.

Shawn Wooden, candidate for state treasurer;

Matt Pugliese will challenge State Rep. Devin Carney (R- 23rd) in the November election.

Matthew Pugliese, candidate for state representative in the 23rd District, which includes Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook;

Martha Marx.

Martha Marx, candidate for state senator in the 20th District, and

Lyme Selectman John Kiker (left) listens to Essex First Selectman and candidate for State Senator (20th District) Norm Needleman speak.

Norm Needleman, candidate for state senator in the 33rd District.

The Tri-Town Democratic Town Committees’ event started at 6:30 p.m. and lasted two and a half hours.

Tickets on Sale Now for Community Music School’s 35th Anniversary Gala, April 27

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Making plans for this year’s 35th anniversary CMS gala are, from left to right, CMS Music Director Tom Briggs, CMS Trustee and Gala Sponsor Bruce Lawrence of Bogaert Construction, CMS Trustee and Gala Sponsor Jennifer Bauman of The Bauman Family Foundation, and CMS Executive Director Abigail Nickell.

Community Music School’s (CMS) largest annual fundraiser is the CMS Gala and this year the organization is  celebrating its 35th anniversary with For the Love of Music! The event takes place on Friday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. in Deep River at The Lace Factory and includes fabulous musical entertainment provided by CMS faculty and students. Enjoy cocktail jazz and an exquisite dinner show, as well as gourmet food, dancing, silent auction, fine wines and more.

Featured faculty and student performers include Music Director Tom Briggs, Noelle Avena, John Birt, Amy Buckley, Luana Calisman-Yuri, Audrey Estelle, Joni Gage, Silvia Gopalakrishnan, Martha Herrle, Ling-Fei Kang, Barbara Malinsky, Matt McCauley, Kevin O’Neil, Andy Sherwood, and Marty Wirt.

Support of the Community Music School gala provides the resources necessary to offer scholarships to students with financial need, as well as weekly music education and music therapy services for students with special needs.

For The Love of Music sponsors include The Bauman Family Foundation, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Bogaert Construction, Clark Group, Essex Savings Bank, Essex Financial Services, Grossman Chevrolet Nissan, Guilford Savings Bank, Jackson Lewis, Kitchings & Potter, Maple Lane Farms, Reynold’s Subaru, Ring’s End, Shore Publishing, Thomas Alexa Wealth Management, Tidal Counseling LLC, and Tower Labs LTD.

Early bird tickets for the evening are $125 per person ($65 is tax deductible) by April 13 and $135 thereafter. Event tickets include hors d’oeuvres, gourmet food stations, wine and beer, live music, and dancing. Tickets may be purchased online at community-music-school.org/gala, at the school located at 90 Main Street in the Centerbrook section of Essex or by calling 860-767-0026.

Community Music School offers innovative music programming for infants through adults, building on a 35 year tradition of providing quality music instruction to residents of shoreline communities. The CMS programs cultivate musical ability and creativity and provide students with a thorough understanding of music so they can enjoy playing and listening for their entire lives.  To learn more, visit www.community-music-school.org or call (860)-767-0026.