Category Archives: Old Lyme

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: LymeLine Editor Criticized for Publishing Gencarella Letter Accusing Zelek of Plagiarism

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To the Editor:

I write this letter to express my disappointment that you chose to publish the letter from Professor Gencarella accusing Ms. Zelec of plagiarism.

I preface my comments with the acknowledgement that I don’t have a dog in this fight.  I’m not a resident of Lyme and I don’t know either of the candidates or their views.

But this type of baseless name calling is what gives small-town politics a bad name.  Worse than that, it borders on slander – plagiarism is a serious accusation.   And in my mind, does nothing for the reputation of your fine publication.

Ms. Zelec’s statement is not plagiarism.  And Professor Gencarella knows it is not plagiarism!  

Her comments have been the mantra of every small-town politician for the last century.  It is no more plagiarism than the president ending a speech with “God Bless America”.  It is what you say!  It is what you are expected to say!  If the wording is the same as her political colleagues, that’s called “messaging”.

Equally troubling to me is Professor Gencarella’s pompous self-aggrandizement in an attempt to lend credence to an accusation he knows to be frivolous.  It trivializes the growing prevalence of true plagiarism and cheapens the idea of academic integrity.

I realize that every editor has to walk a fine line between free speech and editorial discretion.  I respectively submit that you came down on the wrong side of that line in this case.    

Sincerely,

Tom Beyer,
Old Lyme

Old Lyme Property Transactions … Are Back!

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Editor’s Note: We are delighted to bring back publication of Old Lyme property transactions. We know that readers enjoyed these in the past and are confident they will spark the same interest today. We will publishing them every two weeks going forward and also adding Lyme’s property transactions shortly.

6/16: 3 Jadon Drive, Gregory P. Carnese, conservator for David E. Barclay of Old Lyme, to D+C 97 LLC of East Haven, $235,000. 

6/23: 7 Haywagon Drive, Paul S. Constantinou and Amy P. Constantinou to Edward Granfield, $975,000. 

6/27: 14 Avenue A, the Estate of Marie Mirliani of Boston, MA, to Adrian Scarpa, $425,000. 

6/30: 106 Neck Road, Aaron P. Sikorski of New Orleans, LA, to James S. Pawlowski of Plantation, FL, $563,000. 

7/1: 11 Bayberry Ridge Road, Nancy W. Lacasse and Joseph Lacasse of Bristol, ME, to George A. Dichario, $680,000. 

7/2: 302 Ferry Road, Elizabeth A. Huston of Guilford to Conrad Home Buyers LLC of Lyme, $374,000. 

7/3: 27 Brightwater Road, Gregory S. Simon, Trustee of the GS Family Trust of Sarasota, FL, to Jennifer Bradley of Charlotte, NC, $1,520,000. 

7/3: 8 Spruce Ave., Julia Z. DiCandio, Trustee of the Thomas R. Coty Irrevocable Trust, to SLA Homes LLC of Somers, $287,000. 

7/8: 8 Katherine Road, John Zettergren of New Britain to Katherine 8 LLC, $435,000. 

7/8: 11 Matson Ridge, Patrick R. Avelange and Natasha Taylor to Dixon P. Downey III, $1,300,111. 

7/10: 23 Columbus Ave., Charles A. Coniglio and Mary Collery-Coniglio of Naples, FL, to Matthew Ahern, $620,000. 

7/10: 22 Oakridge Drive, Susan Steady, Trustee to the Daniel M. Pennella Trust Agreement of Waterford, to Kingsley and Rachael Schroeder of West Hartford, $165,000. 

7/10: 7 Whippoorwill Road, Erin D. McAndrew, Trustee of the Dorothy McAndrew Revocable Trust of Wakefield, RI, to Mary B. McAndrew, $270,000. 

7/10: 29 Whippoorwill Road, Robert J. Santoro, Trustee of the Dolores D. Green Trust of Cheshire, to Garip Kutrolli of Old Lyme, $20,000. 

7/11: 6 Corsino Ave., Luigi Dimauro of Haddam to Susan K. Way, Trustee of the Susan K. Way Revocable Trust of Old Lyme, $655,000. 

7/15: 6 Elm St., Sharon L. Bergquist of Essex to Carl Kolb of Austin, TX, $825,000. 

7/15: 72 Lyme St., Philip Atherton Pineo and Danne Mahone Pineo of Old Lyme to Halloran Murdock of Old Lyme, $576,000.

TOP STORY: Artistic Spotlight Shines on Old Lyme’s Marvelous Midsummer Festival

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Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival saw thousands of visitors exploring arts and crafts galore at a variety of locations. The photo above features the lawn at the side of the Old Lyme Inn.

OLD LYME—UPDATED WITH MORE PHOTOS 7/28: The Old Lyme Midsummer Festival on Saturday turned part of the town’s historic district into a vibrant celebration of the arts. Visitors enjoyed a view of Americana set in the same estuarine light that lured Impressionist painters more than a century ago.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed viewing the artwork on display.

Tents featuring individual artists with works in a vast range of media, local non-profits explaining their mission, culinary delights from nearby farms, and refreshments for immediate consumption were spread across five locations.

These latter comprised the Lyme Art Association, FloGris Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, Old Lyme Inn and Lyme Academy of Fine Arts..

The Lyme-Old Lyme Lions hosted their 20th Annual Classic Car Show at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.

On the shaded grounds of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, George Willauer took home a first place trophy for the Packard convertible his father bought new for $3,400 back in 1935. He attributed the vehicle’s pristine condition to Vintage Motorcars of Westbrook, the local shop with an international reputation that undertook a partial restoration after the car was damaged in a crash several years ago.

The 90-year-old Packard came into the world the same year Willauer did. He learned to drive on the three-speed manual transmission he still shifts today.

“It’s a part of me,” he said.

George Willauer, of Lyme, drove his 1935 Packard convertible to victory in Class B (1930- 1942) of the 20th Annual Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club Classic Car Show.

Inside the Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation Discovery Center at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, conservation and education coordinator Joe Attwater helped 6-year-old Nova Berman examine a feather through a digital microscope. As Attwater described the “incredible” properties that make feathers such ideal insulation for comforters and coats, Nova magnified the fluffy down beneath her scope.

“There’s nothing warmer in the world than a feather,” Attwater said.

Nova Berman, 6, uses a digital microscope in the Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation Discovery Center at Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.

The festival is a destination not only for locals, but for visitors. This year marked the first Midsummer outing for Christine Mestler of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was in town to visit her sister, Ross Higgins. The women both went home with prints from the “Fence Artists” displayed on the grounds of the Old Lyme Inn.

Ross Higgins, of Old Lyme, and her sister Christine Mestler of Cincinnati, Ohio, survey the artwork outside the Old Lyme Inn.

The Lyme Artisans Guild began in 2023 when Carol Hunts Stanland, a textile artist, forged the crafts collective of jewelry makers, potters, sculptors, weavers and woodturners. Stanland said shoppers can also find their wares at the Guilford Art Center Holiday Expo and Light Up Old Lyme later this year.

Paul Maulucci, a woodturner from Coventry who belongs to the Lyme Artisans Guild, shows his wares at the Midsummer Festival.

Starting off with a 5K race to benefit the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau and ending with fireworks set off from behind the Lyme-Old Lyme High School, each year brings enough active artistry to keep attendees coming back for more.

Aidan Kerrigan gave a stirring rendition of the national anthem immediately before the race began.
And they’re off! Serious runners were called to the front of the pack before the race began..
Around 500 runners and walkers competed in the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau 5K race.
Some runners even wore tutus!
The Parading Paws dog parade at the FloGris Museum was delightful … as always.
Alfie went through his paces capably led by Quinn Ressler before walking away with the “Sweetest” dog.
Ed Shyloski (left) and Greg Symonds, longtime members of VFW Post 1467 continued their service by engaging with many of the visitors and explaining their important work.
A wonderful display of hydrangeas from ‘Hydrangeas Galore’ by Mark Comstock greeted festival-goers as they arrived at the Lyme Art Association.
The Duck River Garden Club—complete with little duckies—was offering beautiful bouquets for sale.
The Old Lyme Town Band gave a rousing concert as a perfect prelude to the fireworks display.
A fabulous fireworks display rounded off another marvelous Midsummer Festival.

So, until next year …

Play ‘Beach Blanket Bingo’ at White Sand Beach in Old Lyme, Wednesday

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OLD LYME — On Wednesday, Aug. 6, play Beach Blanket Bingo from 6 to 8 p.m. at White Sand Beach.

This event is hosted by Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB).

Prizes will be awarded to winners. Bring your beach blanket, chairs and bug spray. No food will be served.

This event is open to all Lyme and Old Lyme families.

Check the LYSB website at 5 p.m. for possible weather cancellation.

Music, Mirth, Merriment Abound at Fabulous FloGris Concert

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The ‘Mighty Soul Drivers’ performed on a stand set up on the banks of the Lieutenant River,

OLD LYME—Despite the intense rain storm in the afternoon, by the time the evening rolled around, the skies were clear and a wonderful night of music and friendship took place on the grounds of the FloGris Museum.

Concert-goers settled in for an evening of music, food and friendship.

The ‘Mighty Soul Drivers’ kicked off Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival 2025 yesterday evening with a rousing concert.

‘The Rolling Tomato’ was doing a roaring trade before the concert began. Things quietened down after the music had started.

Picnics were eaten, beverages were consumed, friends reconnected, and some people even stood up and danced!

Some kayakers listened to the concert from the idyllic setting of the Lieutenant River.

A memorable night was enjoyed by all!