Category Archives: Lyme

CT DOT Reminds Public: ‘Tis the Season to Drive Sober’

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HARTFORD/LYME/OLD LYME — This holiday season, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is joining State and local law enforcement to share the message about the dangers of impaired driving. Motorists will see increased law enforcement presence on Connecticut roadways beginning tonight until January 1, 2024, to take impaired drivers off the roads.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, the last year of verifiable data, 13,384 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. This represented 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States for the year and more than a 14% increase from 2020. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes.

In Connecticut in 2021, the last year of verifiable data, 112 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes, which accounted for nearly 40% of all fatalities in the state.

“Through the winter holiday season, Connecticut law enforcement will participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving enforcement campaign. This enforcement period will feature state and national messages about the dangers of impaired driving, coupled with increased patrols aimed at drastically reducing drunk and drugged driving on our roadways,” said CT DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Drunk or drugged driving is never acceptable. Across the country, a person is killed every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash. We need a commitment from every driver to drive sober so that everyone can have a safe holiday.”

“There is no place on Connecticut’s roadways for any driver under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance. Connecticut police officers are sworn to keep our roadways safe for all to use and will be arresting any driver who chooses to operate a vehicle while intoxicated,” said Watertown Police Chief and Chairman of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Traffic Safety Committee Josh Bernegger. “Please designate a sober driver so we all can get home safely this holiday season.”

In Connecticut, driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or higher is illegal. And the costs of being caught drinking and driving are high. An impaired driver could face jail time, lose their driver’s license and vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, higher insurance rates, and lost wages.

Driving impaired by any substance — alcohol or drugs, whether legal or illegal — is against the law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Even in states where cannabis laws have changed, it is still illegal to drive under the influence of the drug. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also impair a motorist’s ability to drive safely, and driving under the influence of over-the-counter medications is illegal.

The CT DOT recommends these safe alternatives to driving impaired:

  • Always designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive.
  • Keep a safe distance from erratic drivers. If you encounter a drunk driver on the road, dial 911 to report the issue.
  • Do not let anyone drive impaired. If you notice someone preparing to drive after consuming alcohol, take their keys away and plan to get them home safely.

For more information about the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period, visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued Dec. 15 by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Lyme-Old Lyme Jewish Community Celebrates Hanukkah, Welcomes New Members

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LYME/OLD LYME — On Friday, Dec. 9, Jewish community members from Lyme and Old Lyme gathered again, marking their19th annual community Hanukkah celebration.

The gathering was held at a private home, and more than 70 people attended. All contributed food to the pot luck meal, which included traditional Hanukkah potato latkes, a menorah candle lighting, and an impromptu performance of the song “I Have a Little Dreidel” by many of the children in attendance.

The group welcomes newcomers and “newly discovered” community members at every gathering, and will celebrate together again for Passover in the spring.  

If you or someone you know would like to receive announcements regarding future events, email LOLJewishCommunity@gmail.com with your name, email address and phone number.  

The group wishes Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and happy holidays to all! 

Con Brio Hosts Auditions for all Voice Parts, Jan. 2

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OLD SAYBROOK — On Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 7 to 8 p.m., auditions will be held by Con Brio Choral Society at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Rd. in Old Saybrook for all voice parts.

Learn more at conbrio.org (click “Join/Tour”) or call Sue at 860-575-9668 to schedule an audition time slot.

Con Brio rehearses on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in Old Saybrook.

The group’s April 2024 concert will feature Rutter’s Te Deum and Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus RV807.

Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation Awards Scholarships to Lyme-OL High, Middle School Students

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Photo by Marius Masalar on Unsplash.

LYME/OLD LYME — The Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation Board of Trustees has announced that it has awarded private study music scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year to students from both Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

Award recipients from the Middle School are: Estelle Filardi, Ava Gray, Isla Morrissette (winner of the Banker Scholarship), Olivia Rozanski-Rose, Cassidy Buckley, Reagan Christopher, Jonah Filardi, Gavin Gray, Benjamin Mattox, Grace Morrissette, and Avery Zbierski.

Award recipients from the High School are: Caterina Wilson, Elizaveta Gregoire, Oliver Wyman, Andrew Liu, Natalie Buckley (winner of the Doc Mirliani award for pursuit of a career in music), and Stella Geromino.

As a supporting organization for Lyme-Old Lyme Schools, the Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation award scholarships are to be used for private music instruction to students participating in the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Band Programs.  

The 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation was formed in 1999 after the retirement of Ruth Ann (King) Heller from Lyme-Old Lyme High School, with a mission to strengthen and improve the instrumental music program in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.  

Donations to the Foundation in any amount are gratefully accepted. The mailing address is the Ruth Ann Heller Music Foundation, PO Box 298, Old Lyme, CT 06371, or donations may be made via PayPal @ http://www.rahmf.org/#donate.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools BOE Elects Democrat Kemp as Chairman; Dem’s Take Three of Four Officer Positions

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Jason Kemp is the newly-elected Region 18 Board of Education Chairman. File photo.

OLD LYME — 12/9, 9am: CORRECTION made to clarify that both Alexander Lowry and Laura Dean-Frazier are registered as Unaffiliated, but were endorsed respectively by the Democrats and Republicans.

At their inaugural post-municipal election meeting held Wednesday evening, the first item of business for the new Region 18 Board of Education (BOE) members was to elect their slate of officers.

The municipal election had resulted in a sea-change on the board with three incumbent Republicans failing to keep their seats. This, in turn, resulted in the political make-up of the board changing dramatically pivoting from six Republicans and three Democrats on the previous board to six Democrats and one Unaffiliated member, who was endorsed by the Democrats; and one Republican and one Unaffiliated member, who was endorsed by the Republicans on the new one.

The BOE Officers’ election had the potential to be lively but, in fact, there was a series of unanimous votes in favor of four of the five members, who were board incumbents. They had been not been required to run for re-election since their four-year terms had not expired.

In uncontested votes, Jason Kemp was elected Chairman, Anna James: Vice-Chairman, Chris Staab: Treasurer and Martha Shoemaker: Secretary.

Shoemaker, a Democrat, is now also Old Lyme’s First Selectwoman.

Kemp, James (representing Lyme) and Shoemaker are all Democrats while Staab is one of the two Republicans remaining on the board. Laura Dean-Frazier is Unaffiliated but was endorsed by the Republicans.

Former chairman Steven Wilson and member Suzanne Thompson, both Republicans from Old Lyme, were defeated in the municipal election as was Mary Powell-St. Louis, also a Republican, in Lyme. Incumbent Jennifer Miller (R), representing Old Lyme, opted not to run for re-election.

The newly-seated Old Lyme members are Democrats Susan P. Fogliano and W. Scott Brown, Ph.D; and Alexander ‘Xander’ Lowry, who is Unaffiliated but was endorsed by the Democrats. The new Lyme member is Gavin Lodge, also a Democrat.