Around 50 people turned out to celebrate the merger of the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce with the Old Saybrook Chamber. All photos by S.uzanneThompson.
OLD LYME — On Wednesday evening, a well-attended ‘Bridging Businesses’ reception was held at Essex Savings Bank & Sotheby’s International Realty on Halls Rd. in Old Lyme to celebrate the official merger of the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce (LOLCC) with the Old Saybrook Chamber.
Transition Team member Jean Wilczynski (left) welcomed guests to the event, Tammi Flynn and Emily Clark from the Florence Griswold Museum stand at right.
After 90 years operating as an independent Chamber, the LOLCC is joining forces with the Old Saybrook Chamber. to create new, regional networking opportunities for local businesses.
Old Saybrook Chamber Executive Director Judy Sullivan (second from left) stands with Essex Savings Bank & Sotheby’s International Realty hosts (from left to right) Tammy Tinnerello, Heather Gagnon and Laurie Walker.
Although the all-volunteer Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber is officially disbanding, its longstanding college scholarship program for Lyme-Old Lyme residents will continue with funds transferred to the professionally-staffed Old Saybrook Chamber.
State Rep Devin Carney (R-23rd — center) was one of the many politicians to address the guests.
The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce Transition Committee, comprised Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold, outgoing President of the LOL Chamber Richard Shriver, and LOL Chamber Board members Suzanne Thompson, Laurie Walker and Jean Wilczynski.
The chairs of the ‘Bridging Businesses’ event were OL Economic Development Commission Chair Cheryl Poirier and LOL Chamber Board member Laurie Walker.
The event was supported by numerous local restaurants and eateries including Hadlyme Country Market, The Hangry Goose, the Old Lyme Inn, Papi’s (Mexican), Long Table Local, The Hideaway, Teddy’s Old Lyme Pizza, The Chocolate Shell, Kokomo’s, the Old Lyme Country Club, The Stumble Inne, Coffee’s Country Market and Subway. Both Chambers are indebted to these businesses for their generosity.
State Senator Norm Needleman (right) offered words of support to the new, expanded organization.
From left to right, Old Lyme EDC member John Stratton, David Kelsey, Lyme First Selectman David Lahm and Frank Pappalardo listened as State Senator Martha Marx (right) addressed the audience.
Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold drew applause during his remarks.
It was clearly a cheerful occasion with much to celebrate.
Joining the festivities were (from left to right) Rich Shriver, Russ Gomes, George Ryan and Charlie DeLinks.
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to support the efforts of the Lyme-Old Lyme Refugee and Resettlement Committee (LOLRRC) by publishing this statement from the LOLRRC seeking critical support in different ways for an Afghan family living in Old Lyme.The family need help in order to be able to stay in our wonderful community.
OLD LYME — If you have been watching the news during the past few weeks, you may have seen that the Washington blame game over the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan is grabbing headlines once again. After more than four decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan, some Afghan families were able to escape the horrible persecution of the Taliban by escaping to other countries.
One such family is now living in Old Lyme supported by the Lyme-Old Lyme Refugee and Resettlement Committee (LOLRRC), an active community organization. The family counts themselves to be very lucky to have been airlifted out of Afghanistan in August 2021 and transported to the United States.
The father had been working for the US Military and therefore been targeted. This young family of seven was resettled in Old Lyme through Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) in New Haven.
Posting photos of this wonderful family cannot happen right now because they want to stay somewhat private for obvious reasons. The young parents, four school-age children, and a baby girl have worked very hard to adjust to life in our country. Being in the friendly and peaceful community of Old Lyme has been a true blessing for them.
Our committee, the Lyme-Old Lyme Refugee and Resettlement Committee, has been supporting them tirelessly as they all move toward adjusting and being able to live independently. They faced unbelievable challenges in Afghanistan and so appreciate now living in Old Lyme.
The children are thriving in school and learning to speak English. They even help to translate for their parents at times.
The Lyme-Old Lyme Schools have been largely instrumental in helping these children settle into their new lives here. This is one of the many reasons these parents want to stay in Old Lyme for their children’s sake. They have also seen up close what it means when women are deprived of getting an education.
The father, Hayat Popal is now driving for delivery services to make ends meet; he likes to cook and will be getting a full-time job at a new local restaurant in the very near future. The mother, Bibi Popal takes in sewing and stays at home with their baby girl, who was born at a U.S. military base shortly after the family’s arrival in the states.
Now the family faces another daunting move because it is time for them to find permanent housing.The cost of a rental home that can house their family of seven in our area is beyond the family’s financial reach for now.
This is why the LOLRRC is hoping for donations to help subsidize the family’s housing costs in the near term.
It would be even more special if they could find a rental property owned by someone that might give a discount so that this wonderful family, The Popals, can stay in our community.
All donations are tax-deductible and can be made online or by check. Please make a note that your donation is earmarked for the Housing Fund.
To donate by mail, make your check payable to First Congregational Church of Old Lyme with Refugee Resettlement Committee in the memo line. Mail the check to P.O. Box 172 Old Lyme Ct. 06371
On behalf of the LOLRRC and the Popal family, thank you in advance for your generosity.
Jil Nelson passed away at age 70 on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 …
Many will remember her as an early adopter and regular contributor on social media, where she applied her passion for politics and her visual and linguistic creativity …
Jil was born on February 17, 1953 in New Haven to Joan and Stanley Nelson …
She … later moved to Chester after marrying Howard Kaplan … She … continued to support land conservation when she moved to Lyme and joined the Lyme Land Trust’s Board of Directors. Throughout the years, she has been a supporter of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, the Democratic Party, the Florence Griswold Museum …
She will be deeply missed and celebrated by her daughter Xander, son-in-law Matt, granddaughter Una, …
Memorial contributions may be made in Jil’s name to The Lyme Land Trust, Everytown for Gun Safety and Connecticut Public Radio ..
Visit this link to read the full obituary published by Hartford Courant on Apr. 23, 2023.
On Thursday, after their 7-0 victory over Portland, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Girls Varsity Tennis Team celebrated 50 consecutive wins with cupcakes. All photos by Andrea Fenton.
OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Girls’ Varsity Tennis team celebrated their 50th consecutive win yesterday with a 7-0 victory over Portland … and cupcakes!
The results were as follows:
1st Singles: Sam Tan vs Morganne Diheda 6-0, 6-0
2nd Singles: Elaina Morosky vs Maddy Varano 6-0, 6-0
3rd Singles: Callie Bass vs Cassidy Maruschock 6-0, 6-0
4th Singles: Katherine Zhang vs forfeit OL Win on Forfeit
The #3 doubles pair of Izzy Reynolds and Natalie Buckley stand with #2 singles player Elaina Morosky. All three girls won their games against Morgan.
State Senator Martha Marx speaks during the press conference held Tuesday in front of Center School in Old Lyme to celebrate release of over $12 million in grants from the state of Connecticut to support improved air quality. Standing alongside Sen. Marx is Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. Also in attendance are, from left to right, State Sen Norm Needleman, LOL Middle School Principal Mark Ambruso, Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold, Lyme First Selectman David Lahm, Region 18 Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser, Lyme School teacher (and sister of Martha Marx) Mary Dargie, and Old Lyme Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker.
OLD LYME — On Tuesday morning, April 18, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), whose district includes Old Lyme, and State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), whose district includes Lyme, joined Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Region 18 Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser, and Lyme and Old Lyme local leaders at Center School in Old Lyme to celebrate the state’s approved release of $12.009 million in grant funding to support improved air quality in Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) schools.
Region 18 Schools, located in Lyme and Old Lyme, will receive three grants, each supporting air quality improvements and upgrades in local schools, through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grant Program for Public Schools. Lyme Consolidated School will receive $3.051 million, Center School $2.719 million and LOL Middle School $6.24 million.
These funds can be used to replace, upgrade, or repair boilers and other heating and ventilation components; replacing controls and technology systems related to HVAC operations; installing or upgrading air conditioning or ventilation systems; and other similar work approved by the Department of Administrative Services.
“It is very exciting that Region 18 is one of the first districts to get this grant funding,” said Sen. Marx. “I still remember the stories of the challenges educators and parents faced and fought through during COVID, and that hard work cannot be forgotten. So let’s try and do this for a lot of schools and bring positive change to our classrooms. The kids, educators and staff deserve this; everyone deserves a safe working and learning environment,”
“We learned firsthand through the school of hard knocks the importance of air quality,” said Sen. Needleman. “It was a hard way to learn, but I’m glad we’re on track, and I think we need to upgrade all of our schools throughout the state to make sure our kids and our teachers have a safe environment to work and learn.”
“This is a major investment in school infrastructure, in the health of our children and students and in the health of our teachers and staff who work there,” said Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz. “This is a really big and important investment. It’s also an investment in job creation; Our friends in the building trades such as plumbers and pipefitters will be on site working at schools across our state. There will be a lot of folks in Lyme and Old Lyme doing this important work.”
“We hope to begin construction on this project in the next several months and complete it within the next year or two,” said Superintendent Neviaser. “It is not just for one school but for four schools, and we’re really appreciative of all the hard work already put into it. We look forward to completing this project on time and under budget.”
State Senator Norm Needleman addresses those gathered to celebrate the release of grants from the state to improve air quality in LOL Schools.
In 2022, the General Assembly voted to create the Indoor Air Quality Grant Program, as part of an effort to improve ventilation and air conditions in schools statewide. Local and regional boards of education and regional education service centers can use those funds to make valuable improvements. Municipalities are responsible to provide matching grants to fund work not covered by grants.
Eligible schools and districts are those found to have the greatest need for indoor air quality improvements; factors considered include school HVAC system age, air quality issues at the school and overall school building age and condition.
Along with creating that program, the state additionally invested in a pipeline training system for HVAC work and strict standards for inspection and evaluation of HVAC on an accelerated schedule compared to previous state law.
In November 2022, Old Lyme voters approved $57.5 million in bonding for renovations and updates to local schools, with projects including updates to HVAC, air conditioning and ventilation at four Lyme regional schools that had last been renovated roughly two decades prior.
In past interviews, Neviaser said these projects included applying for the state grant program for air quality improvements as a significant issue was their age; some Region 18 schools have systems dating back to the 1960s, he said.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Press Office of Senators Marx and Needleman.
