Category Archives: Lyme

The Movie Man: ‘Superman’ is a ‘Summer Blockbuster … Absolutely Worth’ Seeing

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Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man’

With an alluring narrative, top-notch special effects, amicable characters, and thought-provoking themes, James Gunn’s adaptation of Superman is absolutely worth the occasion of going to the movies.

David Corenswet leads as Clark Kent (or Kal-El) and is perfect for the role. Besides his massive and well-built physique, he does justice to the superhero, who was raised in modesty (his parents, Jonathan and Martha, appear as if they were authentic elderly residents of Kansas, juxtaposed with his fast-paced city life). He curses only a few times, mostly resorting to wholesome words like “darn” or “heck”.

This is countered by Rachel Brosnahan’s performance of his cynical co-worker (and secret girlfriend) Lois Lane, always seeking the truth but giving a hint of envy for Clark’s unusually positive outlook on humanity.

Much can be said about Nicholas Hoult’s performance as archvillain Lex Luthor. Hoult perfectly personifies the man who does not possess superhuman powers, but brilliance, capital, and clout; all infused with coldhearted ambition, guided by cruelty. There is something all too familiar about the personality of this tech billionaire, who despises Superman and his kind because they remind humanity of their limitations.

He seems to be pursuing another kind of superman, the subject of the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche (the Übermensch), the next step in evolution. This superman must destroy all preconceived concepts of right and wrong, which will hinder humanity’s growth to dominate. 

Gunn’s adaptation goes further than previous depictions of Superman. Despite being the starting point of a franchise that will (hopefully) be followed by many sequels, Superman’s origins are not depicted.

He is already an established superhero, beloved by the public, and working as a reporter for The Daily Planet (which also includes a steady relationship with Lois Lane that has yet to be disclosed to Human Resources.) And while the movie reminds the audience of Superman’s origins as an alien sent to earth after his home planet of Krypton was destroyed, a damning revelation is eventually made public which will break Superman’s understanding of his purpose. 

This revelation also amplifies the themes interwoven throughout the movie’s runtime, particularly about morality and heroism. Superman is not the only superhero character (this also includes the Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl), but he appears to be one of the few characters, who authentically desires to do the right thing for the right reasons, while others appear to have corrupt motives.

In a bold move, this Superman acknowledges his imperfections and has come to terms with his limitations, understanding that true greatness comes from the choices we make, not the destinies that we create for ourselves.

But beyond the character development and themes, this is an overall enticing movie that entertains the viewer in every aspect. Despite being a DC superhero movie, which tend to have dark and gritty themes, there is an abundance of humor peppered throughout its runtime. I particularly loved Lois Lane’s “interview” with Superman which ultimately morphs into an argument about politics with her boyfriend.

Gunn also brings the nostalgic charm that made his Guardians of the Galaxy movies instant hits, with a soundtrack that consists of Dad Rock and title design similar to the 1978 movie with Christopher Reeve (there is also a wholesome Easter Egg in which Reeve’s son Will—a reporter for ABC News—makes a cameo appearance.)

In addition, the special effects were truly made for the movie theater, not the most expensive 4K (or even 8K) TV that can be grabbed from Best Buy or Amazon. One of the best ways to see it is in IMAX. For those in the greater Boston area (as I was this past weekend), I suggest catching a screening in one of the Jordan’s IMAX theaters that includes “butt-kickers” (speakers installed beneath the seats).

So what are you waiting for?

This is a summer blockbuster and a family-friendly movie (in fact, I saw a family in line in which mom, dad, and all the kids were wearing their own Superman t-shirts.)

Do you need any additional reasons to catch it? Well, you might even end up watching it multiple times … I know I am seriously considering another screening.

About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.)

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Announce Quarter 4 Honor Rolls

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Lyme-Old Lyme High School
2024-25 Quarter 4 Honor Roll

HIGH HONORS

Grade 12: Ella Austin, Micah Bass, Gavin Biega, Molly Boardman, Nathaniel Bradley, Mark Burnham, Chase Calderon, Dylan Carnaroli, Andrew Clougherty, Tabitha Colwell, Andrea DeBernardo, Zoe Eastman-Grossel, Caeli Edmed, Anna Eichholz, Davis Fallon, Grace Ferman, Benedict Frazier, Hoshena Gemme, Manu Geronimo, Elias Goldberg, Nicolas Hatch, Yucheng Hou, Shyla Jones, Thomas Kabel, Simon Karpinski, Ella Kiem, Skylar Kobelia, Peter Kuhn, Ada LaConti, Brenden Landry, Andrew Liu, Lana Lopes, Elizabeth Lopez, Colette Marchant, Tirill Mundal, Kayla Navarro, Abigail O’Brien, Kanon Oharu, Sophie Pennie, Ysabel Rodriguez, Madelin Salazar Cajamarca, Josephine Small, Andrew Sprankle, Madeline Supersano, Charlotte Tinniswood, Nicholas Turtoro, Giovanni Winters, Ava Wood-Muller, Wenyao Zhang, Gabriella Ziegler

Grade 11: Trevor Buydos, Caden Camarra, Tyler Cann, Julia Clark, Maya Cook, Annabelle Coppola, Colman Curtiss-Reardon, Christopher Dagher, Sophia D’Angelo, Rose Dimmock, Alexa Donovan, Chase Gilbert, Alexander Glaras, Elizaveta Gregoire, Oliver Hatchel, Anne-Marie Hinckley, Christopher Kachur, Thomas Kelly, Jayden Livesey, Emily Looney, Poveda Lucas, Daniela Marin Yanza, Nayeli Marin Yanza, Serena Mazzi, Carter McGlinchey, Samuel McKenzie, Rowen Meisner, Ryan Miller, Madeline Murphy, Isabella Presti, Jacob Prokopets, Lance Sanford, Sophia Shaposhnikova, Luca Signora, Addison Spooner, Carson St. Louis, Andrew Taylor, Meredith Thompson, Madeleine Trepanier, Connor Vautrain, Oliver Wyman, Stella Young, Carl Zapatka

Grade 10: Addison Arndt, Phineas Barrett, Ceciley Buckley, Morgan Buerger, Brooke Burgess, William Burgess, Anna Bussmann, Lillian Calabrese, Aidan Carpentino, Isaac Chartier, Johanna Coker, Brady Donovan, Samson Edmed, Lauren Fulara, Angeline Gencarella, Antonio Gencarella, Gavin Goulis, Harrison Goulis, Skylar Graybill, Tessa Grethel, Owen Holth, Josephine Kiem, Allisondra Krol, Autumn Newbury, Ainsley Rinoski, Cameron Russell, Owen Shapiro, Kevork Shegirian, Milo Stiles, Carli Teixeira, Magdalena Tooker, Ethan Trepanier, Kaylyn Vernon, Caterina Wilson, Brody Ziolkovski

Grade 9: Lillian Acosta, Lauren Belval, Scarlett Blatter, Vivian Boller, Lana Brunza, Trevor Camarra, Naomi Cameron, Gabrielle Clark, Katharine Ferman, Jonah Filardi, Cortland Forbes, Avery Goiangos, Gavin Gray, Sawyer Graybill, Kinsley Grenier, Maia Guisti, Colleen Harrington, Reese Holland, Sophia Huang, Henrik Hummervoll, Fiona Judge, Jillian Kleefeld, Kaedyn Koproski, Treyton LaConti, Holden Leonardo, Alice Li, Graham Macadam, Benjamin Mattox, Menzi Mbele, Charles McEwen, William McKeever, Addyson Morosky, Grace Morrissette, Marielle Munster, Theodore Neary, Gwenevere Osborne, Mila Pacelli, Mattea Parnoff, Remi Patz, Nicholas Porto, Jonah Scheckwitz, Audrey Sheehan, Avery Spooner, Hailey Suisman, Charlotte Thuma, Ashlynn Ward, Ella Ziolkovski

HONORS

Grade 12: Emma Arelt, Hannah Bonilla, Dominic Clark, Hunter Coffey, Christopher Gibbons, Janna Graves, Abigail Greene, Kaela Hoss, Gage Kaulfuss, Olivia Kelly, Bronwyn Kyle, Elise Leonardo, Amahle Mdluli, Nathan Morgan, Max Novak, Ryan Shapiro, Nola Slubowski, Spencer Spezio, Erika Teixeira, Kathleen Walsh

Grade 11: Charlotte Antonino, Sienna Bari, Zoe Brunza, Makayla Calderon, Braden Dawson, Michael DeFiore, Claire Engdall, Benjamin Goulding, Quinn Hadarik, William Landon, Sebastian Lopez-Bravo, Ian Maeby, Sybil Neary, Ryan Ortoleva, Quenten Patz, Marleigh Piacenza, Tanner Snurkowski, Sydney St. Pierre, Margaret Thuma, Eve Videll, Elisabeth Viera

Grade 10: Mohammed Ali, Zachary Belval, Mia Bonatti, Logan Buckingham, Kacey Cajamarca, Evan Coffee, Amirah D’Lizarraga, Elliot Dunn-Sims, Edward Fiske, Elsa Jungkeit, Callahan Lacourciere, Logan Landry, Olivia Lovendale, Kaylee McCarthy, Sean Olsen, Alexandria Sanford, Allegra Schaedler

Grade 9: Noah Brant, John Comstock, Nathaniel Condon, Colin Discordia, Frederick Goss, Morgan Harris, Ryan Hill, David McAdams, Rowan McCormick, Ava Novak, Delilah Tooker, Renee Viera, Charles Zapatka, Avery Zbierski

Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School
2024-25 Quarter 4 Honor Roll

HIGH HONORS

Grade 8: Josie Arndt, Anna Block, Emily Bonatti, Cassidy Buckley, Ewan Cabell, Emily Campbell, Finnegan Choisnet, Reagan Christopher, Eliana Cicchiello, Emerson Coker, Miles Coppola, Ezekiel Daily, Maya Desai, Parker Fedorich, Jackson Fiske, Parker Forbes, Samantha Fulara, Ava Fuller, Olivia Gerardo, Victoria Glaras, Kylie Grethel, Olivia Griffith, Cole Haslam, Charles Holth, Quinn Hoss, Griffin Karpinski, Collin Langley, Zoey Langley, Ellison Lodge, Isabel Martel, Harland McKenna, Maxwell Mooney, Sofia Noti, Thomas O’Connor, Kanato Oharu, Giovanni Orlando, Jack Ouellette, Adrian Raby, Benson Reis, Tristan Reyes, Lillian Reynolds, Beatrix Rubino, Addison Sapia, Juliette Small, Mia Stokes, Natalie Suisman, Olive Vautrain, Benson Wang, Reagan Weinstein, Samuel Zelek, Lily Zerkowski

Grade 7: Charlotte Anton, Jack Antonino, Annalisa Archbald, Miella Bard, Sawyer Barreto, Cole Barris, Jackson Basham, Zakary Benedetto, Braydon Boisseau, Conor Buckeridge, Thomas Calabrese, Rowan Cantner, Mason Catalano, Jackson Chapps, Ainsley Conroy, Oliver Constantine, Brennon Coyle, Ella Davis, Amy Diaz, Daphne Eisensmith, Hunter Emma, Kate Ewers, Camryn Fedorich, Estelle Filardi, Beckett Goss, Delana Green-Oldfield, Aibhlinn Hall, Julia Haslam, Sean Hunter, August Jungkeit, Devon Kiem, Rowan Kilfoil, Eva Levonick, Yago Lobo, Jamie Maloney, Mary McAdams, Ariana McEwen, Finn McLaughlin, Henry Miller, Ryann Montesanto, Broderick Morris, Isla Morrissette, Maya Munster, Maura Murphy, Avery Olson, Gunnar Palmer, Juul Parrott, Quin Parrott, Quinn Quarto, Caliana Rand, Charlotte Reynolds, Olivia Rozanski-Rose, Linden Sarnoski, Ari Shegirian, Maya Smith, Reed Snurkowski, Grace Strekel, Molly Supersano, Weston Taylor, Liam Ward, John Young

Grade 6: Mylo Awwa, Ella Boudo, Cecelia Bradley, Brody Burr, Luz Cajamarca, Finn Celic, Andrew Chonka, Maizie Curtiss-Reardon, Croix Demars, Lucia D’Onofrio, Catherine Fisher, Maxwell Garvin, Natalie Gibbons, Walter Glenn, Gabriella Gonzalez, Niall Hallahan, Joy Haney, Gerald Holland, Emma Hoxha, Ofelia Karsten, Aiden Lapinski, Parker Lee, Benjamin Lott, Roosevelt Lowry, Siena Maguire, Emma Morales, Loretta Newbury, Nico Orlando, Alexander Reid, Jack Reiter, Connor Rice, Taylor Rooney, Magnolia Sahl, Reid Sapia, Kate Scheckwitz, Colton Schroder, Madison Seckla, Piper Spiegel, Leif Sullivan, Audrey Thuma, Tobias Tooker, Carina Vakili, Henry Whalen, Charlotte Zeng

HONORS

Grade 8: Trent Cameron, Colin Farrell, Curran Livesey, Oliver Newbury, Jack Parker, Nikolas Reid, Cooper Thomas, Teya Vernon

Grade 7: Liam Carpentino, Daniel Crisp, Jaxson Glantz, Ekaterina Gregoire, Thomas Hayes, Callen Hill, Camden Novak, Emily Randak, Roman Schlachter, Jackson Staab, Lucius Stebbins-Wallen

Grade 6: David Acosta, Finn Cabell, Ryan Campbell, Liang Chang, John Hornyak, Callie Kelo, Colton Lodge, Linnea McLachlan, Gabriella Norris, Mason Polski, EmmaLeigh Reed, Brandon Reyes, Graycie Riquelme, Michael Soriano

Bat Tests Positive for Rabies in East Lyme, Ledge Light HD Urges Public to Refrain From Wild/Stray Animal Interactions

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EAST LYME—On July 10, a bat found on Boston Post Rd. in East Lyme was tested and found to be positive for rabies on July 10.

A press release issued by Ledge Light Health District the same day urges people to refrain from feeding or approaching any wild or stray animals.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. It is spread mostly by wild animals, but stray cats and dogs may also become infected and spread the virus.

The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. Rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.)  

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Ledge Light Health District at 860-448-4882 or the Waterford/East Lyme Animal Control at 860-442-9451.

Local Students Achieve Academic Success

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LYME/OLD LYME—We are pleased to publish news about local students who have achieved academic honors or reached important milestones.  These announcements are sent to us by the various colleges and in no way are intended to represent a comprehensive list.

Please feel free to submit additional college news of local students to editor@LymeLine.com.

Congratulations to these local college students who graduated in May: 

Eastern Connecticut State University

Marley Elmoznino, Lyme, received a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental earth science 

Francette Donato, Old Lyme, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education

Ciara Klimaszewski, Old Lyme, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology 

Fairfield University, Connecticut

Benjamin Kelly

Plymouth State University, New Hampshire

Emma McCulloch, Old Lyme

Congratulations to these students who made the spring 2025 Dean’s List:

Salve Regina University, Rhode Island

Corah Engdall, Old Lyme

Tufts University, Massachusetts

Ella Halsey, Old Lyme

Eli Ryan, Old Lyme

University of Scranton, Pennsylvania

Michael S. O’Donnell, Old Lyme 

TOP STORY: ‘No Bar, No Building, Just Good Works’: VFW Post 1467 Focuses on Helping Vets Where They Are

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Members of VFW Post 1467 gather for a photo. Post Membership Chairman Ed Shilosky stands in second row at left, Post Trustee and former Commander David Griswold stands at right. Photo submitted.

LYME/OLD LYME–For this Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post with no bar and no building, the focus remains on helping veterans wherever they can be found. 

VFW Post 1467 trustee and former commander David Griswold said the group has helped 142 veterans since an anonymous donor handed him a check for $10,000 over a cup of coffee back in 2012. 

Griswold, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, whose service included a year in Vietnam as a company commander, recounted the exchange during an interview last week at the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. He said the donor had two requests—that his name remain anonymous and that the money be used to help veterans. 

“You can’t go out and buy a pool table or have a beer party,” Griswold recalled the man saying. 

It was an easy commitment for an organization that had long eschewed the smoky, wood-paneled VFW canteens popularized in the post-World War II era. Instead, they’ve met predominantly at the Lymes’ Senior Center. 

“And not having a bar has really helped us,” Griswold said. “These bars, they sprung to life after the war in the 50s, 60s. They’re old buildings, a lot of them. They’re beat up. They’re a horrible expense to keep up. Insurance is terrible.”

Post 1467 Membership Chairman Ed Shilosky, who is credited with the “No Bar, No Building, Just Good Works” motto, said not having to worry about building upkeep has allowed them to put more resources toward helping veterans in need and helped draw more members. 

Shilosky, who was in the Army for 23 years, served on active duty in Vietnam and then in the reserves.

“The main reason people join us now is they want to get away from VFWs that don’t do anything, either for the community or for veterans, because they’re weighed down by other expenses,” Shilosky said. 

Griswold pointed to changing societal attitudes that have made the group’s ethos all the more relevant. 

“Back after World War II, going out and drinking heavy was kind of expected, but it’s not now,” he said. “And let’s say you have a young person that gets back from Iraq or Afghanistan, maybe he has some drinking issues. Saying, ‘Let’s join the VFW, you can get drunk every day’ isn’t helping the person.” 

The post’s membership roster of roughly 80 people includes veterans from Lyme, Old Lyme and beyond. The only membership requirement is honorable, verifiable service in a combat zone. 

The Vets in Need program, which Shilosky said has grown out of that unexpected donation to fund about $105,000 in one-time needs, covers expenses including food, rent, utilities, home and car repairs, travel and accessibility upgrades. 

The program helped pay for three funerals. Used cars, most of them provided at cost by All Pro Automotive in Old Lyme, add up to 10. Thirteen veterans received specialized equipment or furniture to accommodate their medical needs.

The group has also given more than $60,000 to statewide initiatives administered through Connecticut Veterans Affairs. 

The first veteran to benefit from the Vets in Need program was an elderly man living in a converted garage with a bucket as a chamber pot, according to Shilosky. Another needed help relocating to Las Vegas to live with a daughter when his wife got sick. One struggling veteran whose paintings lined his apartment ended up with an art show at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex after Post 1467 got involved. 

“Those are the kinds of things that are so gratifying,” Shilosky said.  

Griswold said the group’s strength is its ability to react quickly when emergencies arise. In the case of veterans who cannot afford utility payments during the winter, Post 1467 members can get the furnace restarted and two months of heating bills paid before state and federal resources can be secured for a more long-term solution. 

Each case needs sign-off from the post’s service officer, trustees and membership, he said.

He likened the group’s role to that of a military medic. 

“We’re running out there and getting an immediate fix,” he said. “And then it can be turned over to other organizations.”

Former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, a previous commander of the VFW post and cousin of David Griswold, said the group has expanded its outreach beyond Lyme and Old Lyme. 

“It was apparent that there were other individuals not within our border that had needs,” he said. “And so we’re willing to help people regardless.”

If that sometimes means stepping outside of their jurisdiction into the realm of other VFW posts, Tim Griswold wasn’t too worried about it. He said any lingering concerns were assuaged by a visit from a national VFW commander a couple years ago. 

“He was very well pleased with us, saying, ‘This is how a post should be,’” he recalled. “You don’t necessarily have to have little fiefdoms. You can help veterans that are in need, and that’s a good thing.” 

The three men said the communities of Lyme and Old Lyme are uniquely situated to give back to veterans.

David Griswold recognized the area at the confluence of the Connecticut River and the Long Island Sound as a place where some very accomplished people from all over the world have landed. 

“And a lot of them have done well financially and are very generous,” he said. “I’ve heard people say, ‘Well, they can afford it.’ But that doesn’t mean they’re going to do it. I know some wealthy people, who wouldn’t give you a dime.”

For Shilosky, it all goes back to an overarching sense of service and gratitude that comes from veterans who look outward together – and the community who supports them. 

He said the Post 1467 mantra has grown from “Small but Mighty” to the oft-repeated “No Bar, No Building, Just Good Works.” 

“And I think we’ve lived up to that,” he said. 

Editor’s Note: Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) VFW Post 1467 reminds all local Veterans and Veteran families in need that they can reach out to the Post to request a great variety of types of assistance. All that is required is the Veteran’s DDForm214 Record of Military Service and a call to Services Officer, Navy Rtd. Captain Larry Olsen at 607-220-7137. The Services Officer will then respond, assess the need, and assist as appropriate.