The Lyme-Old Lyme High School crew team gathers for a photo to celebrate their victory at the CT Public School State Championships May 18 at Lake Waramaug in Litchfield. Photo submitted by OLRA.
National Learn To Row Day to be Held at Rogers Lake Boathouse on Saturday, June 7, 10-2, Free, All Welcome
OLD LYME–The Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) crew team on Sunday continued their dominance of the Varsity Four category at the Connecticut Public School State Championships.
The Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) in a press release heralded the team’s multiple wins, as well as the return once again of the Hart Perry Points Trophy for excellence in fours.
The LOLHS team competed in the May 18 championship event on Lake Waramaug in Litchfield, winning the three boys varsity races in four-person boats and garnering two first places finishes and a second place finish in girls varsity races.
“The Lyme-Old Lyme High School program has dominated Connecticut public school fours competition for the last ten years, winning the points trophy numerous times,” the OLRA said.
An escort of Old Lyme emergency vehicles accompanied the team’s buses on the final leg of their return to the high school.
On their return journey, the buses carrying the winning LOLHS crew teams traveled along Boston Post Rd. in Old Lyme accompanied by celebratory emergency vehicles with lights flashing and sirens sounding. Photo by K. Monson.
The Lyme-Old Lyme High School crew team operates out of the Fred Emerson Boathouse and is supported by the OLRA, which also hosts the Blood Street Sculls.
The boathouse, now in its third building opened in 2017, has been an incubator for rowing excellence for over 50 years. Started in 1965 on Blood Street by Fred Emerson, the organization initially known as Blood Street Sculls has cultivated national champions and Olympians since its inception.
Learn more about OLRA’s summer and fall programs for adults and kids at National Learn To Row Day on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the boathouse on the corner of Boston Post Road and Town Woods Road.
UPDATED 5/20 with an Editor’s Note. I was able fully nourish the wonder that came from the space soap operas of George Lucas. And now that I was an adult, I was also able appreciate the intellectual influences of Star Wars. These included anthropologist Joseph Campbell, Eastern spirituality, and the samurai movies of Akira Kurosawa. In addition, I finally understand why critics had hailed the original trilogy and bashed the prequels. Being aged 8, 11, and 14 respectively when they were released, they were simply my favorites because they were newer. Kids always think what is new is de facto better.
As I finished my senior year at Xavier High School, I experienced a renaissance: Star Wars.
My passion had returned for the adventures that took place a long time ago in that galaxy far, far away. I sought to live according to the unwritten rules of being a teenager, which forbade fandom of sci-fi and fantasy.
But as my second semester began, the scales fell from all our eyes. We realized the popularity contest was nonsense. We spent our whole lives longing for the days when we would be top dogs as seniors. Instead, we found ourselves casually conversing with those we once considered social lepers.
Throughout 2009, I rewatched the movies constantly. I picked up on the merited criticisms, no doubt …
But something stuck out to me: Hayden Christensen, the actor who played Anakin Skywalker.
I was well aware that older fans were critical of his performances. but after many re-watches I realized that these criticisms went too far. It all came down to the delivery of his lines. His tone of voice and his intonation were lifeless. But his facial expressions and the physicality of his performance were impressive when Anakin was not speaking.
One day it finally dawned on me: the poor performance was not Hayden Christensen’s fault. It was George Lucas’ writing and directing.
For all the praise I can heap on Lucas, I do have criticisms. I cannot deny that the man was better fit as the creative executive force driving the productions rather than directing.
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford never hesitated to roast Lucas for his unnatural dialogue. They claim his direction was simply “Faster and more intensity.” Hamill boasts that he can still recall the cheesiest line of his audition to this day. The raw footage of the original movie is quite cringe-worthy. The editing saved the movie (and also won an Academy Award). For the remaining films of the trilogy, he opted to hire directors. He chose Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand to helm The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, respectively.
But when Lucas finally got to work on the prequels, he directed all three, himself. The editing room saved A New Hope, and Kirschner and Marquand were able to able to bring produce quality content. Now that Lucas was giving acting advice, the guardrails were down. Any actor, regardless of their potential talent, would be subject to Lucas’ direction.
By 2001, Hayden Christensen, was a rising star in Hollywood. He had appeared in a variety of material, including Canadian youth television (Are You Afraid of the Dark? is among the credits). He received a Golden Globe nomination for acting alongside Kevin Kline in Life as a House. He also portrayed defiled journalist Stephen Glass’s fall in Shattered Glass. He was certainly on the trajectory for a long and respected career. Lucas even compared him to James Dean.
But when Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith were excoriated by the critics, so were Christensen’s performances. While the rest of the cast was also criticized, it was mostly directed towards Christensen. As a result, he appeared to experience the “Yips” and was unable produce better performances after Star Wars. He has mainly kept to independent films since.
But in recent years, Christensen has been shown much love and appreciation. He has always been happy to appear at conventions. He has received love for reprising the role of Anakin for Disney’s canon of Lucasfilm with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka. This exposure has led to appearances on The Tonight Show.
Additionally, there have been promotions with WIRED and GQ. These appearances and promotions have accumulated millions of views online.
Much to my delight, it appears that Star Wars fans are experiencing a Hayden Christensen renaissance. I am grateful for the stock I bought all the way back in 2009.
The 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith arrived today.
I must ponder: “Why should this renaissance be confined to just Star Wars?” Did he not bring his talent to other movies and shows? Does that mean he can’t contribute to projects that fans of pure entertainment can enjoy? Perhaps he can lead a miniseries, as seems to be the trend now? Why has he not been considered for at least cameo appearances in any upcoming projects by A-list filmmakers?
If Lindsey Lohan can experience a second act, then why can’t Hayden Christensen?
I believe he still has much to bring to the table. I hope he can read the signs of the times and hear the voice of the people.
Editor’s Note: For the record, the publication day of this article—Monday, May 19—is the 20th anniversary of the release of ‘Revenge of the Sith.’
About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin 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.)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank O. Nappi, of Bluffton, SC. Frank was born on June 12, 1938 in Derby, CT, he passed away on May 13, 2025, at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cynthia; his children: Jennifer (Jay), Frank (Jamie), Allison (Mark), and Linda (Beau); grandchildren … ; sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews: … and countless other family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his brothers …; sister-in-law … and brother-in-law …
He was a man of many roles including time as a barber, teacher, and principal. … He served as principal at North Haven, Lyme/Old Lyme, and Madison schools for over 20 years, where he influenced and impacted many students’ lives …
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 6, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Bluffton, SC …
Andrew Surprise will begin as executive director of the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce on June 2. Photo courtesy of the chamber.
OLD SAYBROOK–The Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce has announced a new executive director.
Chamber Board of Directors President Kara Pachniuk in a Thursday letter to members said Andrew Surprise, who previously served as executive director of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, will take over for Executive Director Judy Sullivan.
Pachniuk credited Sullivan with two decades of exceptional leadership.
“Judy’s dedication, vision, and tireless commitment have left a lasting legacy on our organization and the community we serve,” Pachniuk said. “We are immensely grateful for her service and the strong foundation she has built.”
The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce merged with the Old Saybrook chamber in 2023.
Sullivan on Friday said Surprise will start work June 2. She will remain through June 30 to ease the transition.
Pachniuk said Surprise brings experience in chamber management, economic development, and community engagement.
She described Surprise as a strong leader who launched impactful workforce development initiatives and forged strong partnerships with major regional employers at the Windsor chamber. He previously revitalized the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce in Massachusetts, she said.
The search committee including the chamber president as well as Alex Foulkes, Brett Elliott, Sharon Lewis, Dave Carswell, Judy Sullivan, Lindsey Goergen, and Sally Ann Lee helped “identify the right leader to take the Chamber into its next chapter,” according to Pachniuk.
“We are confident that Andrew will build upon the Chamber’s legacy, advocate for our members, and lead with the same dedication and passion that Judy has demonstrated over the past two decades,” she said.
The Farmer’s Market at Tiffany Farms, seen here when it began in 2019, is a seasonal fixture in town.
LYME, CT—On Saturday May 24, The Farmers Market at Tiffany Farms opens for the season.
It will be open rain or shine, farm field permitting.
Vegetables, fruit, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, chicken, and baked goods as well as preserves and maple syrup will be available at the farm on 156 Sterling City Road every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until mid October.
This year’s the lineup includes Chatfield Hollow Farm, Dondero Orchards, Falls Brook Organic Farm, Four Mile River Farm, From the Farm, Hooting Owl Farm, Long Table Farm, Marna Roons, Ms BeeR Haven, Space Farms Soap, Tiffany Farms Pasture Raised Beef, The Country Kitchen, Traveling Italian Chef, Wave Hill Breads and Mystic Cheese.
The guest vendors for next Saturday will be Bs Baked Goods and Colchester Curry. The Lyme Veterans Memorial Committee will also be attending.
For more information, call the farm at 860-575-4730.
