The Wildcat Girls Lacrosse team has qualified for the Class S state tournament semi-final. This photo was taken after the Shoreline Torunament semifinal.
OLD LYME—On Friday, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School girls’ lacrosse team advanced to the State Class S semifinal after claiming a 9-3 victory over Lewis Mills. The second-seeded Wildcats will face #3 seeds Canton on Tuesday at a time and location to be announced.
The girls’ lacrosse coach Emily Macione was recently named Shoreline Coach of the Year. Asked by LymeLine how she felt about receiving the honor, she replied by email saying, “Honestly, it’s a huge credit to the coaching staff I’ve worked with this season – Rob Antonellis and Ally Gleason. They have been so supportive of the program and helped to set a high bar for our players to work toward.”
She added, “I also don’t think I could be Coach of the Year without the players of the year – the girls have really bought in and worked so hard all spring. I’m fortunate to have great leadership from our upperclassmen and a tenacious group of underclassmen who really work hard and want to win.”
Macione commented, “They are also just a wonderful group of young ladies. Having all of that makes my job pretty easy.”
She concluded auspiciously, “It’s been such a fun and rewarding season…and hopefully we can make a run at the Class S Championship.”
The Wildcats celebrate their history-making CIAC Class S State Tracj and Field Championship victory
NEW BRITAIN—On Wednesday at Willowbrook Park in New Britain, the Lyme-Old Lyme Wildcats won their first ever Class S Track and Field championship in program history notching a convincing grand total of 76 points. Thomaston High School came in second with 58 points and Coginchaug took third place with 55.
‘Juneteenth’ Celebration with Jazz & Poetry Slated for June 22
Witness Stones at the Duck River Cemetery honor Phyllis Tantiphant, Salem Freeman, and Katherine Freeman, three African Americans and one Native American who labored in servitude nearby on Meeting House Hill (today’s Johnny Cake Hill).
OLD LYME – ‘Witness Stones Old Lyme’ will expand its project in 2024 to honor 10 enslaved persons, who labored in the Town of Lyme—historically known as North Lyme.
Ten new Witness Stones—historical plaques commemorating the lives of enslaved African Americans—will be placed in late May at the Lyme Public Library.
In 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Project installed a total of 38 plaques on Lyme Street, McCurdy Rd., and Old Shore Rd. in Old Lyme.
To deepen the untold story of local enslavement, ‘Witness Stones’ this year will honor Dina, Jenny, Pompey, Peter, Bristo, Suberiah, Boston, Cuff Condol, Prince Brown, and Pomp Henry.
To celebrate the town’s newly-installed Witness Stones, the Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership is holdingevents in May and June. All events are free and open to the public and take place rain or shine.
Poet Rhonda Ward will speak at the Witness Stones installation ceremony on Mary 31.
Witness Stones Installation Ceremony
Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane, Old Lyme CT Friday, May 31, 10 a.m.
The community will gather on the lawn of the Old Lyme Library to celebrate the fourth installation of Witness Stones in the Lyme-Old Lyme area. The program offers music, poetry, and words from community partners.
Guest speakers include Rhonda Ward, Witness Stones Old Lyme poet and first New London Poet Laureate; Nikita Waller, soloist; Rick Wyman, saxophone; Martha Shoemaker, Old Lyme First Selectwoman; Melissa Fournier, Lyme librarian; Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School poets and Select Chorus.
Juneteenth Celebration with Jazz & Poetry Florence Griswold Museum—north lawn, 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme CT. Saturday, June 22, 2 to 4 p.m..
The celebration in honor of Juneteenth—a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans—will take place on the north lawn of the Florence Griswold Museum.
The event features a quartet led by legendary bassist Nat Reeves and new work by Connecticut poets Marilyn Nelson, Kate Rushin, Rhonda Ward, and Antoinette Brim-Bell, who in 2021 created a tribute in verse to those enslaved in the historic town of Lyme. The jazz quartet includes world-renowned saxophonist Abraham Burton, celebrated pianist James Austin, Jr., and impressive percussionist Michael Ode.
On June 22, bassist Nat Reeves leads a jazz quartet at the Juneteenth Celebration with Jazz and Poetry.
The event has received generous funding from the Connecticut Office of the Arts. In case of rain, the Juneteenth celebration will take place at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road.
Witness Stones Old Lyme joins a growing coalition of Witness Stones Project communities dedicated to restoring history and honoring the humanity and contributions of those formerly enslaved. The Old Lyme initiative was made possible through the support of the Lyme-Old Lyme community, including local institutions and the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.
The Witness Stones Project in Old Lyme is vital at this time of learning about and engaging with the history of slavery in Connecticut. But this local project also has national reach as America comes to grips with its complicated past regarding the enslavement and indenture of African and Native people.
Each Witness Stone placed on Lyme Street, McCurdy Rd., Old Shore Rd., and at the Lyme Public Library includes the name of an enslaved individual, along with details about their lives and circumstances derived from land records, emancipation certificates, and other available historical documents.
An interpretive sign installed on the lawn of the Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library provides a map showing the locations on Lyme Street of the small brass plaques that are installed flush with the ground.
The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership
The Old Lyme Witness Stones Partnership’s goal is to expand the understanding of local history and honor the humanity and the contributions of those formerly enslaved in our community.
The partnership’s founding members include the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, the Florence Griswold Museum, the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools, and the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.
Community partners include the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, and the Old Lyme Historical Society.
The Partnership has received generous support from a Health Improvement Collaborative of Southeastern Connecticut (HIC) Partnership Grant for Racial Equity.
Sincere thanks to Michele Dickey and Troy Christopher who together are responsible for all the photos in this essay.
OLD LYME— Yesterday morning, the big question was, “Is it on?” The weather was not being entirely co-operative and no one was sure if Old Lyme’s traditional Memorial Day parade would happen.
But the man in charge, Tony Hendricks, made his decision … and what a great one it was! He said that, despite the inclement weather, the parade must go on …
The Old Lyme Board of Selectmen comprising Selectman Jim Lampos (left), First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (second from left) and Selectwoman Jude Read (right) enthusiastically marched down Lyme St. with State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd, second from right)
The Fife and Drum Corps played their pipes.
The Future Firefighters of Old Lyme were out in force.
The Lyme-Old Lyme High School Techno-Ticks displayed their skills.
Old Lyme’s Engine #1 looked resplendent.
The Old Lyme Fire Department walked proudly in a solemn line.
Fire equipment of yesteryear found a place in the parade.
With its lights flashing in celebration, this Old Lyme Ambulance took its spot in the parade.
Members of the Lymes’ Senior Center performed an impressive dance routine.
At the other end of the age spectrum, this young lady was clearly thrilled to be riding in the parade!
Phoebe Griffin Noyes aka Mary Dangremond represented her namesake Library with her usual flair
This young man delegated the hard work to his dad while he rode in comfort.
The Class S 2024 State Basketball Champions from Lyme-Old Lyme High School took a well-earned victory march down Lyme Street.
Little Leaguers swapped their bats for banners for the day.
Softballers cheerfully waved a patriotic flag.
Bruce Noyes drove his treasured army vehicle with wife Tammy and veterans atop.
Lyme Fire Department featured in the festivities.
What a cheery wave from this EMT and her canine companion!
Old Lyme Historical Society (OLHS) Board Member Edie Twining (left) sat with other OLHS members on the familiar, bright blue truck.
The Lyme-Old Lyme Lions proudly declared their mission of, “We Serve.”
The Old Lyme Land Trust’s truck was appropriately festooned with trees.
Talking of trees, here’s a great smile from one of our Forestry team!
This vintage automobile drew appreciative applause.
These Brownies demonstrated the meaning of teamwork.
Scouts proudly carried the Stars and Stripes as well as their own banner.
Lyme Ambulance joined the throng heading to Duck River Cemetery.
Arthur “Skip” Beebe was full of smiles as he rode in well-deserved style.
Nightingale’s Ukele Band added a musical touch.
Then came the ceremony at the cemetery when speeches were given, ‘Taps’ was played, heads were bowed, prayers were said, names were read, bells were rung, and salutes were given.
And away they go … the 11th annual Tour de Lyme will take place Sunday, June 2.
LYME — The 11th annual Tour de Lyme is happening again on Sunday, June 2.
For competitive riders, this is a chance to warm up for the cycling season ahead. For others, it provides a wonderful occasion to pedal through Lyme and enjoy the surrounding countryside. If you are a mountain biker, this is an opportunity to ride through private lands open only for this event.
Everyone – riders, sponsors, and volunteers – will enjoy a post-ride picnic at Ashlawn Farm with popular food trucks, beer and live music. There will also be Tour de Lyme shirts for sale.
Online registration is open through midnight EST on Friday, May 31. Note registration at the event is an additional $10.00
Ready to ride!
It is not a race but a carefully planned series of rides designed to suit every level of skill and endurance. There are four road rides of varying length and degree of difficulty:
The CHALLENGE, the name says it all, is 60 miles – a real workout;
The CLASSIC, shorter at 25 miles, but still a challenge;
The VALLEY Rides ‒ pleasant easier rides with fewer hills, 26 miles or 35 miles
The FAMILY ‒ at just 8 miles designed for riding with children.
There are also two mountain bike options;
the RIDER’S TEST a 26.5 mile ride for serious enthusiasts
a shorter, less challenging option.
The Tour de Lyme is hosted by The Lyme Land Conservation Trust.Since 1966, the Lyme Land Trust has been conserving the unique and historic landscapes of Lyme, Connecticut. During those years, the Lyme rural community has shown that a small population can have a big impact and protect more than 3000 acres of woodlands, working farm fields, and bird-filled marshes. The result is an outdoor paradise – open to all.
Money raised from the Tour de Lyme will create added opportunities for public enjoyment of the Land Trust preserves while protecting and maintaining what has already been conserved for generations to come.
The Lyme Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – registration and donations are tax deductible.
