Category Archives: Lyme

Dignitaries Celebrate the ‘First (Chester-Hadlyme) Ferry’ of 2023 with Ribbon-Cutting

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A ribbon-cutting was held April 2 to celebrate the inaugural trip of the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry’s 2023 season. The celebration was held at the entrance to the ferry in Hadlyme where Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto (center) cut the ribbon. Looking on are (from left to right) State Rep. Christine A. Palm, (D-36th District); State Rep. Irene Haines, (R-34th District); State Rep. Devin Carney, R-23rd District); State Senator Norman Needleman, D-33rd District); Lynn Wilkinson, President of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, and Tyke and Theodora Niver (a.k.a. William and Helen Gillette).

HADLYME — During an April 2 celebration of the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry’s 253-year legacy of service on the Connecticut River, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto cut a ribbon before welcoming new passengers aboard. 

Attending the event were State Rep. Devin Carney, R-23rd, whose district includes Lyme and Old Lyme; State Rep. Christine A. Palm, (D-36th District); State Rep. Irene Haines, (R-34th District); District); Senator Norman Needleman, D-33rd District); Lynn Wilkinson, President of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, and Tyke and Theodora Niver (a.k.a. William and Helen Gillette).

The event was sponsored by the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park with refreshments from the Hadlyme Country Market.

The boat loaded first on the Chester side and then made its five-minute run east to the Hadlyme landing adjacent to the park, where members of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park gathered to mingle with regional dignitaries.

Access to the western landing is on Rte. 148 at Ferry Road in Chester. The eastern landing is on park property at the base of Seventh Sister Hill, with a road and footpath leading up to the castle, the eccentric, century-old home of the late actor William Gillette. 

The event included the portrayal of Gillette and his wife by Harold and Theodora Niver of Rocky Hill, who have portrayed the Gillettes at the castle for decades. 

The park itself is in the towns of East Haddam and Lyme along the Connecticut River, and is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.

In addition to being a continuation of scenic Rte. 148, the initiation of ferry service is an important lifeline between Chester and Hadlyme, Lynn Wilkinson, president of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, noted.

The 65-foot diesel-run Selden III crosses the Connecticut River filled with passengers enjoying the 2022 “First Ferry Celebration”. The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry is one of the oldest continuously-operating ferries in the United States.

“The ferry offers a wonderful alternative traffic route, and this year especially it will help ease the pressure of traffic during closures this year of the East Haddam Swing Bridge, which carries Rte. 82 over the Connecticut River,” Wilkinson said. “It also gives park visitors a really fun and ‘photo-friendly’ way to get to the castle.” 

The bridge-rehabilitation project is expected to have no impact on the ferry’s operations or hours, according to John Kennedy, the ferry’s captain. The Connecticut DOT launched the project in 2022 to improve the swing-span operation’s reliability, extend its service life and improve the roadway. Completion is expected by late 2024.

A series of 63-hour road-closure periods are planned during which traffic will be detoured away from the bridge, according to a state-published pamphlet. Several closures are to take place this year, beginning at 8 p.m. Sundays and ending at 11 am. Wednesdays, except on holiday weekends. 

For details about the bridge project, visit easthaddamswingbridgeproject.com. 

The ferry is expected to operate through Nov. 30, and will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Additional ferry information may be found online at portal.ct.gov/DOT/Traveler/ferries/Chester-Hadlyme-Ferry. 

Ferry passengers will be charged current rates to ride the 65-foot diesel-run Selden III, which include a walk-on charge of $2 to pedestrians and bicyclists, $5 for vehicles on weekdays and $6 for vehicles on weekends. A $3 commuter rate requires pre-purchased coupons priced in a book of 20 for $60.

Because the boat is a public conveyance, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may affect the boat’s capacity as well as safety precautions such as masking and social distancing while aboard the boat. Under normal conditions, the boat has a nine-vehicle capacity. 

A book detailing the history of Connecticut ferries is available for purchase at the Gillette Castle souvenir shop. 

The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry began service in 1769 as Warner’s Ferry, and is one of the oldest continuously operating ferries in the United States. It is also Connecticut’s second-oldest ferry service, after the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, which began in 1655. 

A steam-powered barge began to serve the ferry crossing in 1879 and was named the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry in 1882 while it was operated by the town of Chester. In 1917, the Connecticut Department of Transportation took over the service, and the current boat has been in operation since 1949. 

The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park is a nonprofit, all-volunteer group dedicated to the preservation, conservation and educational activities of the building and its grounds. More information may be found at www.gillettecastlefriends.org.

Baseball: Old Lyme Defeat Stonington 14-13 in Thrilling Game

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OLD LYME — Something closely resembling a football game was played Monday at the Gloria Maddox Field in Old Lyme!

Ultimately, a walk-off double from David Evers (3-5, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 3 R) led Lyme-Old Lyme past Stonington 14-13.  

Lyme-Old Lyme overcame a six-run deficit after the first inning and a five-run deficit in the last inning, which led to the walk-off. The score was 13-12, in Stonington’s favor, at the bottom of the seventh inning when David Evers doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

Santiago Rodriguez (3-4, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 1 R) led Lyme-Old Lyme to victory by driving in five runs and going 3-for-4 at the plate.  Rodriguez drove in runs on a single in the first, a single in the second, and a single in the fourth.

Aaron Lopresto (1-3, 2 BB, 1 R) had a single to start the game, followed by a Jace Wolfradt (3-5, 2R) single, next came an error that scored the first run of the game. Then, an Alex Starr (1-4, 1 RBI, 1 R) single scored the second run.

Another error hurt the Wildcats to allow the third run, and a Nick Cannella (2-4, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 3 R) single scored the fourth run. A wild pitch scored the fifth run and finally a walk allowed the sixth run.

Jack Porter was the winning pitcher for the Lyme-Old Lyme Wildcats. Porter went two and two-thirds innings, allowing seven runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one.

Dylan Cimini took the loss for Stonington Varsity Bears. The righty went one and two-thirds innings, allowing six runs on six hits and striking out four.

Jace Wolfradt started the game for Stonington Varsity Bears. The pitcher surrendered four runs on four hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out four.

Santiago Rodriguez started the game for Lyme-Old Lyme Wildcats. The pitcher went four and a third innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out six

Lyme-Old Lyme collected 14 hits.  Rodriguez, Evers, Jack Porter (2-4, 2 R), Grady Lacourciere (2-4, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 3 R), and Owen Snurkowski (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB) all had multiple hits for Lyme-Old Lyme. Evers and Rodriguez each collected three hits to lead Lyme-Old Lyme Wildcats.

Stonington racked up 13 hits on the day.  Wolfradt, Dylan Cimini (2-4, 1 BB, 3 R), Alex DePerry (2-3, 4 RBI), and Nick Cannella each had multiple hits for Stonington Varsity Bears. Wolfradt led the Stonington Varsity Bears with three hits in five at bats.

In the last inning, down 13-8, David Evers started the inning off with a leadoff double to spark the rally. Jack Porter singled to move Evers to second. Next, Grady Lacourciere doubled to score both Evers and Porter to cut the lead to 13-10. Owen Snurkowski singled on a line drive to center field to score Lacourciere, who got a head start on a good jump from second base, to make the score 13-11, Stonington.

After a fly out from Rodriguez, Hurtgen worked a walk followed by a Ben Frazier (1-3, 2 BB, 2 R) single to load the bases. Rowen Meisner (1-3, 2 RBI, 1 BB) got hit by a pitch to score another run and cut the lead down to 13-12, Stonington.

After a Jackson Pannier strikeout, David Evers came back up with the bases loaded to double to left field and score both Hurtgen and Frazier to walk-off. 

Op-Ed: “Parental Rights Do Not Negate Teachers Being Free To Teach in Their Own Style”

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Editor’s Note:This op-ed was submitted by Steven Wilson, who serves as chairman of the Region 18 Board of Education. The opinion he expresses here is entirely his own and not related in any way to the board of education.

“Children Should be Taught to Think – Not What to Think”

I have read several letters to editors regarding a recent [Old Lyme] RTC [Republican Town Committee] letter apparently mailed to all residents of Lyme and Old Lyme and I’d like to share a third perspective on the matter which I hope and expect will appeal to the majority of our citizens – the all too often overlooked and forgotten Moderate voters. However they’re registered, they vote with their own minds and have no misplaced loyalty to one party or the other.

I felt compelled to participate in this conversation because there are myriad parties sharing very biased opinions and while speaking under the guise of wanting what’s best for the towns, finish their statements with telling us what to think and for whom to vote in November. I would say ignore them all and instead listen to friends and associates you know and respect.

For the sake of time, I’ll focus on the “dog whistle” of “parental rights”. In my experience the term “dog whistle” is cut from the same cloth as any other strawman fallacy wherein someone misinterprets what you said and ignores your intent and replaces it with their contorted version and then attacks that instead.

“People who invoke the term ‘parental rights’ have different things in mind and different aspirations,” said Neal McCluskey, the director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington. “My general impression when I see people invoking ‘parental rights,’ it’s been connected to a general idea that parents have been cut out of decisions made by schools.”

“Parental rights” is being represented as a dog whistle for banning books and censorship and anyone who utters the phrase should be summarily ignored. This is beyond ironic. The idea of dismissing anyone’s opinion based on opinion, perspective, or association is the type of bias we should all be fighting against.

The antithesis of parental rights is parental apathy and school districts that lack parental interest have suffered terribly because of the inevitable trickle-down of apathy, disinterest, and lack of motivation experienced by students when their parents “leave education to the educators”. 

We have the greatest teachers in Region 18 and are lucky to have them. I have dealt directly with many of them on a variety of topics and venues and have personally observed their excellence. I have made a point to stress my personal belief that the purpose of school is to educate rather than indoctrinate and to my eye, the faculty, and staff overwhelmingly agree with this perspective. 

Strong communities are built when everyone is involved and works together. Parental rights do not negate teachers being free to teach in their own style – they only keep the door open so that parents can remain involved in the education of their children. We should avoid at all costs the idea that one group or another is prohibited from expressing their perspective due to “dog whistle” words/phrases or group affiliation.

It has been my experience that when people have questions and are allowed to ask them, they find the answers to be quite agreeable. When those doors of communication are closed, the rumor mills take over and the worst and most sensational ideas take over the conversation. 

There will always be ideas, classes, and curricula being taught in school with which we will disagree but after school, we’ll have co-workers, bosses, and supervisors with whom we’ll disagree too. The purpose of school is to prepare us for working together in spite of difficulties and to learn to disagree pleasantly, respectfully, and productively. Children should be taught to think – not what to think.

Let’s keep things simple and look at people based on the content of their character above all other elements. I’m sure if we do that earnestly and honestly, we’ll all find that we agree with each other far more than we’re being led to believe.

Lyme, Old Lyme Churches Hold Variety of Easter Services

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Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.com.

LYME/OLD LYME — We have gathered together details of all the services and events planned for Holy Week in Lyme and Old Lyme. A full listing is given below. Please let us know any additions or corrections as soon as possible. Thank you!

Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday

South Lyme Union Chapel hosts a Lenten Soup Meal from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. All are welcome and the meal is free of charge. Soups will include chicken noodle, split pea, beef barley, fresh tomato and more. Mac ‘n’ cheese will be offered for youngsters and vegan options will also be included. Reservations suggested at 860-434-1200. The chapel is at 308 Mile Creek Rd. in Old Lyme.

Christ The King Church hosts the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m.

Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church hosts an Agape Meal at 6 p.m. The meal is simple, reflecting the middle eastern foods of the first century. The church will provide soup, olives and cheese. Each participant or family unit is asked to bring a loaf of bread to share in communal fellowship, and a non-perishable food for the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantry.

The Agape meal will be followed by a Maundy Thursday Liturgy at 7 p.m. with Washing of the Feet, Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar.

The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme hosts a traditional Maundy Thursday Worship Service of scripture, communion and sacred music followed by a reading of Dante’s “Inferno” at 7 p.m. For more information, visit this link.

Friday, March 29, Good Friday

Christ The King Church hosts the Solemn Liturgy of the Passion of our Lord at 3 p.m. and Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. followed by Confessions.

The Meetinghouse at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for prayer and meditation.

Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church hosts a Good Friday Liturgy Service at 12 p.m. with solemn collects and readings. The Stations of the Cross will take place in the Memorial Garden at 3 p.m. or in the case of inclement weather, inside the church.

Saturday, March 30, Easter Saturday

Christ The King hosts Blessing of the Food at 12 noon and an Easter Vigil Mass at 8 p.m. with choir, organ, timpani, and bells.

Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church hosts a Holy Saturday service at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Garden.

Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday

Clergy, members and friends of Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church, Christ the King Church and First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will host an Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. All are welcome. Meet at Griswold Point, Old Lyme, rain or shine. Follow signs to the location. If you need directions, call the First Congregational Church at 860.434.8686.

Christ The King hosts a Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection at both 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with choir and orchestra at the latter service. For more information, visit this link.

The First Congregational Church of Lyme hosts a Worship Service at 10 a.m. in person or via Zoom. After the service, there will be a coffee hour and then at 11:30 a.m., an Easter Egg Hunt. 

The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme hosts Worship Services at 9 and 11 a.m. Childcare is available at the 9 a.m. service and Sunday School will not meet. For more information, visit this link .

Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church hosts Festival Eucharist Rite 2 with full choir and trumpet at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

For more information, visit this link.

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month: A Timely Message From Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition

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Don’t Let Your Child Become a Statistic!

Underage binge drinking is a reality in all communities and Lyme and Old Lyme are no different. Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash.

LYME-OLD LYME — Did you know that roughly one third of of alcohol-related traffic fatalities happen during Prom/Graduation/Summer season? Approximately 1,000 young people under 21 will die from preventable tragedy in the coming months according to the National Highway and Safety Administration.

This season the Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition (LOLPC) is encouraging youth to make smart decisions around alcohol.

The average first use of alcohol in Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) is at 14-years-old and rates of use rise rapidly during high school years.

Only 56 percent of LOL youth report having clear family rules about alcohol use.

The LOLPC urges parents not to let their child become a statistic. Talk to to your children about the risks of drinking alcohol — highlight the facts from the article below. It is never too early to start role-modeling healthy choices about alcohol. Discuss rules and strategies for discussing this special time of year.

You have more influence than you realize!

How Binge Drinking Affects the Teen Brain

You have surely heard that misusing alcohol hurts your health. But how many years of drinking do you think it takes to visibly affect your brain? Ten years? Twenty?

It turns out that it doesn’t take that long at all—in fact, scientists can already see changes in the brains of teenagers who drink.

Blocking the Signals

In a research study, Professor Susan Tapert of the University of California at San Diego used an MRI imaging machine to scan the brains of teens who binge drink—defined as drinking four or five (or more) drinks in a couple of hours. Dr. Tapert found that the “white matter” in their brains—the part that transmits signals, like a TV cable or a computer USB cord—was abnormal compared with the white matter of teens who don’t binge drink.

Transmitting signals is a large part of what the brain does, so affecting the white matter in this way could also affect a person’s thinking, learning, and memory.

The really worrying part is that these teens didn’t have an alcohol use disorder, and they didn’t drink every day. All they did (to be considered “binge drinkers”) was drink at least four (for women) or five (for men) drinks in one sitting, at least one time during the previous three months.

How could it be possible for just a few sessions of heavy drinking to affect the white matter of the brain? Well, science has shown that alcohol can poison brain cells and alter the brain’s white matter in adults with an alcohol use disorder.

Dr. Tapert thinks that teenagers’ brains are even more susceptible this way. She says, “because the brain is still developing during adolescence, there has been concern that it may be more vulnerable to high doses of alcohol.”

Cause or Effect?

Many questions still remain, including how long it takes before these changes occur, and how much they affect the brain’s different functions. To figure this out, scientists would have to look at the binge drinkers’ brains before and after they started drinking. That way, they can tell if the differences might have already been there before the teens started drinking.

It’s possible that having abnormal white matter in the brain somehow increases the chance of being a binge drinker. In order to answer that question, Dr. Tapert says they need to do longer studies that follow teens’ brain growth over time.

The bottom line? If you’re a teen, drinking to the point of getting drunk could damage the white matter of your brain—even if you do it only once in a while.

Editor’s Notes: (i)This article, which was submitted by the Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition, is sourced from Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain: What We’ve Learned and Where the Data Are Taking Us | Alcohol Research: Current Reviews (nih.gov).

(ii)For more information about the Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition, getting involved, and ways to talk to youth about underage drinking please visit www.lysb.org/prevention.