Category Archives: Old Lyme

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: If Political Campaign Banners are OK in Old Lyme, National Flags Should be OK Too

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To The Editor:

I read Betsy Groth’s recent letter regarding her being nettled by a Old Lyme church on Shore Road flying Israel’s national flag. If I knew no better I would accept her word that one side is blameless and the other side completely at fault for the chaos taking place in that sea of tranquility known to all as the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian cause is usually presented as the world’s worst genocide past or present, ignoring the anti-social terrorist leaning behavior of this group for many decades, as well as the reality on the ground in areas of Palestinian self-governance. Honor killings, the murder of gay and lesbian occupants, Sharia Law, never mind allowing in Iranian “advisors” to help operate the missiles and rockets purchased from Iran. Missiles and rockets regularly launched into Israeli sovereign territory.The United States would never tolerate such behavior from a neighboring land nor should anyone else.

A keen observer of world events, though not always one friendly to Israeli or we Jews in general, is the United Nations. A recent UN report states that the worst genocide happening on the planet is happening to the Rohingya people from Myanmar. Ever heard of them? Not likely. What goes on in that corner of the world rarely rates a mention never mind a headline.They have fled Myanmar and now neither Bangladesh nor India has any idea what to do with them nor money to feed them.

There are plenty of places around SE Connecticut flying Palestinian flags and I have not objected. A flag, by the way, which was designed by a British civil servant during the course of World War One in his London office. As were most national flags currently flown by Arab nations right now. If you feel that political campaign banners are free to be flown in town then national flags should be alright as well.

Sincerely,

Jonathan B. Wilder,
Old Lyme.

August is No-Kill Shelter Month in Connecticut

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Gov. Ned Lamont is calling on communities across Connecticut to work together in the effort to make sure every animal that goes through a shelter finds a home. Photos courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society.

National Animal Advocates Say State is 200 Adoptions Away from No-Kill Status

HARTFORD–A national pet advocacy organization is applauding Governor Ned Lamont for proclaiming August No-Kill Shelter Month, a move meant to bolster the group’s efforts to achieve “no-kill” status in Connecticut before the end of this year. 

The proclamation underlines a commitment to end the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats throughout the state’s shelters, according to a press release from the national pet advocacy organization Best Friends Animal Society. 

Julie Castle, Best Friends Animal Society CEO, states, “With less than 200 pets needing to be saved for Connecticut to become no-kill, we’re calling on Connecticut residents to choose to adopt pets from shelters and rescue groups instead of purchasing from breeders or stores.”

The group cited data showing 83 of the state’s 94 animal shelters last year maintained or achieved no-kill status. Nationally, nearly two out of three U.S. shelters are considered no-kill.

Statistics from the organization identify the Old Lyme Animal Control department as a no-kill shelter. Dogs currently up for adoption can be found at this link.

The 11 remaining shelters in the state yet to earn the no-kill designation need to save about 200 more pets combined, according to the organization. 

Best Friends Animal Society CEO Julie Castle in the release said the state is poised to join the nation’s current no-kill states: Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 

“With less than 200 pets needing to be saved for Connecticut to become no-kill, we’re calling on Connecticut residents to choose to adopt pets from shelters and rescue groups instead of purchasing from breeders or stores,” Castle said.

Connecticut will join Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont by the end of the year if homes are found for the 200 pets still seeking homes.

The “no-kill” designation applies to states in which 90% of animals entering a shelter can be saved. The figure accounts for the estimated 10% of pets with irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed, the release said.

The governor’s proclamation encourages Connecticut residents to work together to make a positive difference in the lives of the state’s pets by adopting, fostering, volunteering, educating, and generating awareness for these pets in need throughout their communities. 

The no-kill movement is not without critics in the animal advocacy community. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) argues that focusing on no-kill policies can lead shelters to “warehouse” animals for prolonged periods, place animals in unsafe homes, and turn away animals. It also does not address the root problem, the group said on its website.

“Finding a home for one dog may save one life, but sterilizing one dog will save hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs’ lives by preventing generations of potentially homeless puppies from being born. Getting a spay/neuter law passed saves even more lives. Stopping the problem at its source is where our time, energy, and funds are needed most. That is how we can drastically reduce—and hopefully end—the homeless-animal crisis and the need for euthanasia.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Writer Distressed Old Lyme Church Flies Israeli Flag, Asks What Others Think

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To the Editor:

I am deeply offended by Shoreline Church on Shore Rd. in Old Lyme flying a huge Israeli flag. 

Netanyahu and his government are committing genocide and other war crimes, including starvation in Palestine—even some Israeli citizens are calling it genocide.

At least 85% of Palestinians are Muslim.

At least one of the church’s neighbor convenience stores is owned by a Muslim.

I find this flag-flying unacceptable and wonder what others think?

Sincerely,

Betsy Groth,
Old Lyme.

Editor’s Note: Here is a reminder of our Policy on Letters to the Editor and our Policy on Comments.

Wood Island Life Saving Station in Maine Launches Essay Contest to Win Overnight Stay at Location, See the ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ Boat at Work

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A photo of Wood Island Life Saving Station in Kittery, Maine from 2021. The ‘Mervin F. Roberts’ boat now lives inside the building and travels down the now completed marine railway into the sea.

OLD LYME—Readers may recall the wonderful story we covered about the acquisition from this area of an old coast guard rescue boat named the Mervin F. Roberts by the non-profit Wood Island Life Saving Station Association (WILSSA) of Kittery, Maine. The original connection between the WILSSA and the boat was made through an article published by LymeLine about our beloved late resident Mervin Roberts.

Former First Selectman Timothy Griswold spearheaded a successful effort to raise funds to transport the boat from Essex, Conn. to Kittery, Maine.

Ben Clarkson at the helm of the ‘Mervin E. Roberts’ in 1997.

After major renovations, the boat was re-launched at Kittery Point amid quite a fanfare and a group from Old Lyme, including Griswold, attended the event.

Former local resident Catherine Frank visited the Wood Island Life Saving Station recently. She discovered the organization is running an essay contest and the winner will earn the opportunity to spend a night on Wood Island (which in her words, “looked quite cozy; has amazing history and views and a chance to visit with Merv’s boat!”) She kindly shared the information with us and, again in her words, thinks, “Someone from Old Lyme needs to enter and win this contest.”

And we agree!

Full details of the contest are at this link. The word limit for the essay is 500 words and the entry deadline has been extended to September 1.

The Wood Island Life Saving Station, a beacon of hope and heroism since the 1900s, has witnessed countless rescues and maritime events.

We’re offering a unique opportunity to win an overnight stay at this historic landmark.

To enter, share with us why you are drawn to Wood Island and what staying in this historic life saving station would mean to you.

Submission Deadline: originally July 1, 2025, now extended to September 1, 2025

Stay Dates: To be scheduled between July and September 2026.

So all you writers out there, start your essays right away—time is of the essence—and maybe win this unique prize!

Old Lyme Property Transactions, 8/12/25

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Editor’s Note: Read the first installment of our newly revived Property Transactions section published July 29 at this link.

8/6: 65 Boston Post Road, Danielle Lord of Belchertown, MA, to Timothy Howes and Tiffany Howes, $375,000. 

8/4: 5 Hartford Ave., Sebastian Blaize Woolnough of Clinton to Timothy Kudelchuk and Taylor Squeglia, $582,500. 

7/31: 80-1 Lyme St., Gilbert V. Boro of Brooklyn, NY, to the Henry Ward Ranger Development Organization LLC of Old Lyme, $1,800,000. 

7/30: 6-10 Vista Drive, Eastport LLC to Cove Realty Trust, $3,197,152. 

7/30: 1 Enterprise Drive, EPW-1 LLC to Cove Realty Trust, $2,395,947. 

7/28: 69 Brookside Ave., Frank A. Tomaro of Wethersfield to TMAR LLC of Old Lyme, $55,000. 

7/28: 72 Gorton Ave., Anthony A. Tomaro Trust of Wethersfield to Samson LLC of Old Lyme, $400,000. 

7/28: 18 Hartung Place, Anthony A. Tomaro Trust of Wethersfield to Pinsker LLC of Old Lyme. 

7/25: 318 Billow Road and 319 Brightwater Road, First Capital Realty LLC of Darien to John Bourgoin and Theresa Marie Bourgoin of Berlin, $465,000. 

7/25: 23 Hefflon Farm Road, Estate of Rino Vitali to Dale M. Chick, $965,000.

7/24: 15 Hawks Nest Road, Estate of Christine Grem to Emily K. Dimmock of Old Lyme, $642,000. 

7/23: 435 Shore Road, Roger Zito of Old Lyme and Wendy A. Zito of New London to Daniel J. Schildt, $1,000,000. 

7/17: 30 Smith Neck Road, Dinah Martin Lefkowitz of New York, NY, to Cliff Kye and Jesse MacDonald, $2,090,000.

7/1: 10 Glover Ave., Gregory A. Schrafft of Niantic and Frank L. Schrafft of Old Lyme to Sweetwater Building and Management LLC of Old Lyme, $75,000.