On Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm in Memorial Town Hall, the Halls Road Improvements Committee of the Town of Old Lyme will present the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) proposal in a public meeting of the Old Lyme Zoning Commission. Attorney William Sweeney will describe the details of this optional Overlay District and answer questions.
The Planning Commission has unanimously agreed that the HROD proposal is consistent with the goals and standards set out for the Town in its latest Plan of Conservation and Development (2020). Now it is up to Zoning to approve, reject, or modify the proposal.
The HROD is the centerpiece of the Halls Road Master Plan. Current commercial-only zoning does not allow the changes envisioned there. HROD creates the options needed to allow investors to help change the focus of Halls Road toward the needs of Old Lyme and not through travelers.
This is an important public meeting, and a chance to show your support for a better future for Old Lyme. I urge you to come and be counted; bring your written thoughts to read and submit, make a statement for the record. We need your support to carry this important matter forward.
Approval of this added flexibility in our zoning is a vital step in supporting the future prosperity and livability of Old Lyme.
The image above shows a rendering of what the northwest segment of Halls Rd. might look like after the implementation of the proposed HROD. Image credit: Edie Twining.
Key Features of HROD are that it:
• Is totally optional; allows but does not require change to any property.
• Keeps our shopping area vital and focused on Old Lyme, not the highway.
• Creates options for much needed apartment/town-house-type housing.
• Balances our housing stock without using up our remaining open land.
• Promotes creation of a safe, walkable, bikeable, mixed-use town center.
• Follows Design Review process guides development to be “like Old Lyme.”
• Promotes significant new town revenues, reducing resident taxes.
Thank you in advance for your help with this important issue. I look forward to seeing you there!
While Edward Berger’s Conclave brings an iconic cast of beloved actors, who deliver superb performances and offers thought-provoking themes, I do not believe it should be prioritized when asked for recommendations on recently released films. It is certainly worth watching, but not as soon as possible.
So often when we think of the depiction of the Catholic Church in media, it is often portrayed as an ancient institution that most of us do not relate to. Whether it is a historic film set at any point in the last two millennia, or the Church is a backdrop for sequences including a ritual (perhaps the baptism scene in The Godfather), or perhaps culture wars are at the heart of the matter, the Church appears to be irrelevant to the viewer.
Or, if the character is along the lines of Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, Mother Cabrini, or St. Francis of Assisi, we consider them to be heroes that have achieved a transcendent level of humanity that none of us could imitate. But Conclave reminds us, whether we are practicing Catholics or not, the Church is a human institution, dealing with familiar human matters that any of us will recognize.
One line perfectly encapsulates these themes, which are interwoven throughout the entire film: “We are mortal men. We serve an ideal. We cannot always be ideal.”
Ralph Fiennes leads the star-studded cast (which also includes John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Lucian Msamati, and Isabella Rossellini) as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, Dean of the College of Cardinals, tasked with overseeing the papal conclave after the sudden death of the pope. We witness an ancient tradition taking place in buildings constructed during the Renaissance era but accompanied by contemporary technology (which I considered to be an incredible juxtaposition).
Here we witness the politics within the Church as groups with differing interpretations of pastoral care vie for positions of power, and we see the ugliness that leaders stoop to in order to achieve their goals, despite their positions as spiritual leaders. Lawrence perfectly encapsulates a hero we can relate to. He is a protagonist handed an important task that deals with the one thing he does not want: power.
He reminds me of Pope Benedict XVI, who also held Lawrence’s position when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and submitted several letters of resignation from 1981 until he was tasked with overseeing the 2005 conclave. Hoping the new Pope would grant his request to return to Germany for academic purposes, he was ironically chosen to lead.
I anticipated the film to move in this historic direction but was surprised by the film’s choice for a twist ending. Without revealing any spoilers, it bore relevance to the theme of wrestling with uncertainty, but I cannot help but wonder if there were better options to pursue.
Uncertainty is the overall theme. As we stress over the uncertainty of the future—especially regarding secular matters—the film reminds us that uncertainty is even experienced in an institution that is founded on the hope of the resurrection of the historical Jesus and has spent 2000 years professing dogmas to better understand salvation. Even the most learned scholars and leaders struggle to understand what specifically should be done in this current chapter of history.
The viewer must contemplate the overall history of the Church as the cardinals squabble about who should take the seat of the successor to St. Peter the Apostle. As the protagonists fret that rigidly dogmatic clerics may end up in charge, they console themselves that, despite the possibility of leadership implementing harmful pastoral care, there have been worse Popes in the past (think of the Borgia Popes during the Renaissance, when the Church was run by the Mafia).
While Conclave certainly had my interest and I consider it a decent movie worth watching, I do not consider it necessary to watch as soon as possible. Perhaps it will be a movie for a rainy day in the future, but it is not a movie that requires a trip to the theater, especially during awards season.
About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube).
OLD LYME—James Francis Ward Jr. of Old Lyme, passed away Jan. 6, 2025, at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., he was the son of the late James Ward and Noreen Deyo Ward.
Jim was a cherished partner to Sheila McTigue-Ward of Old Lyme and a loving father to Meghan Danko (Dan) of Franklin and Ethan Harris of Old Lyme. He was also an energetic and devoted grandfather of Brooke and Reagan Danko. Finally, he was a beloved brother to Kathleen Pascale of Clinton and Timothy Ward of North Branford, and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
For Jim, stewardship-caring for the people and the planet-was the core of a meaningful life. His dedication to sustainability, education, and community upliftment was unwavering, but he didn’t wear that commitment like a heavy burden. Instead, Jim carried it with a light touch and a playful grin, always ready to share a laugh or start a silly game, especially with kids. His life was proof that deep purpose and deep joy could walk hand in hand.
Jim earned his Bachelor of Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University and a Master’s in Educational Technology from the University of Connecticut. His career began as a social worker, shifted to auto body work, then transitioned into education, where he served as a teacher, coach and Technology Coordinator at Voluntown Elementary School for numerous years.
Jim’s passion for gardening and food justice led him to establish the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden (LOLFSG), where the community grows fresh produce for local food banks. LOLFSG volunteers have donated thousands of pounds of vegetables, while the garden also has become an inclusive hub for learning and new friendships.
Those who knew Jim describe him as gentle, unassuming, and endlessly creative-a man who could work with his hands as skillfully as he could with his mind. Jim found joy in hiking and his imagination blossomed in the woods; his hikes were typically followed by a flurry of activity in the kitchen or the workshop. He was a source of inspiration, a builder of dreams, and a steadfast friend. In short, good things happened whenever Jim was around. (And many things happened when Jim was around because he never stopped moving!) Jim’s legacy lives on in the thriving garden he helped cultivate, the people he inspired, and the enduring example of stewardship he embodied. His impact will be felt for generations.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory can be made to the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden or Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries to continue the work that was so close to his heart. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor his memory.
Jim’s legacy is a powerful reminder that caring for others and the world around us can create a lasting ripple of good.
Tessa Lark has been named Artistic Director of the Moab Music Festival. She will continue as Artistic Director of Musical Masterworks in Old Lyme. Photo by Richard Bowditch.
MOAB, UT/OLD LYME, CT — On Jan. 6, 2025, the Moab Music Festival (MMF) announced that violinist Tessa Lark has been named its next Artistic Director. Co-Founding Directors Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins will be stepping back from the award-winning Festival (MMF) after 33 years; Lark’s role will combine the co-founders’ artistic responsibilities.
Lark currently serves as Artistic Director of the Musical Masterworks concert series in Old Lyme, Conn. and will continue in that role. Asked her reaction to Lark’s appointment, Alden Rockwell Murphy, President of the Musical Masterworks Board of Directors, told LymeLine exclusively, “”We are very excited for Tessa!” commenting further, “She now joins the ranks of distinguished visionary artists who hold multiple artistic directorships, and we congratulate her on this remarkable achievement.”
Rockwell Murphy emphasized, “Her [Lark’s] dedication to Musical Masterworks remains unwavering. With her artistry and passion, she will undoubtedly continue to enrich both the Musical Masterworks and Moab communities, making them brighter and more vibrant for all.”
Moab Festival Board of Trustees President Anne Wilson said, “While it is bittersweet to be moving on to the next chapter of artistic leadership, we are grateful to have had our founders’ direction, guidance, and support in choosing their successor. This extraordinary festival is well positioned for the future, with the strong foundation they built, and their long and exemplary tenure.”
Wilson continued, “We are delighted to welcome Tessa as the Festival’s next Artistic Director. Her long history as a Festival violinist, coupled with her immense talent and creativity, make her a perfect fit. We are excited to see Tessa’s vision unfold, and work together to usher in a new generation of world-class music in concert with the landscape® experiences, for which the Festival has become famous.”
Since her Festival debut in 2016, Lark has delighted audiences with her technical mastery, stylistic fluidity, and welcoming spirit. She boasts a Grammy- nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for her recording of Sky, the violin concerto Michael Torke wrote for her. She has been engaged by the San Francisco, Seattle, and BBC Symphonies, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, London’s Wigmore Hall, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
A recipient of Lincoln Center’s most prestigious honor for emerging artists, the Hunt Family Award, she also received a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and top prize at the Naumburg International Violin Competition. She serves as a Co-Host/Creative of From the Top, NPR’s famed showcase for young classical musicians, and is
During Moab’s 2024 season, Lark performed works from her latest album, The Stradgrass Sessions, which pays homage to her love for both Bluegrass and classical music, and her idyllic Kentucky upbringing. The variety of styles presented on the album offers a small window into her fresh take on Festival programming, enhancing what audiences have come to expect from the Festival over the last three decades.
As Lark explains, “I’ve already fallen in love many times over with the Moab Music Festival and what makes the community unique: the impactful relationships that Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins have forged through their loving leadership, the symbiosis of new classical music with canonical favorites, the complex network of the Native cultures of the region, and the presence of myriad musical styles.”
She added, “I take genuine pleasure in personally connecting with folks from all backgrounds, and am passionate about creating spaces that joyfully embrace both musical and spiritual confluence. What makes the Festival extraordinary is also my ultimate life goal: relishing nature and music, all at once. Sharing that heaven-on-earth with others is a dream come true.”
Under the direction of Tomkins and Barrett, MMF has gained an award-winning national and international reputation, growing from a grassroots organization in a geodesic dome in 1992 to a globally respected institution attracting world-class artists and patrons who want to experience music among southeast Utah’s stunning red rock landscape. The founders were a critical part of selecting the incoming artistic director who will usher in the next generation of leadership as they become Directors Emeriti.
“I am beyond excited to be handing the reins of the Moab Music Festival to Tessa Lark,” shares Music Director Emeritus Michael Barrett. “I’ve known Tessa for nearly 20 years and have watched with admiration as she has fulfilled the promise of her immense talent in such creative and unexpected ways. It brings me great satisfaction that she has agreed to become Artistic Director. She has a finger on the pulse of musical life in America, and I’m certain her instinct and artistry will guide the Festival toward the synthesis of art, nature, and community Leslie and I first imagined 33 years ago.
As Artistic Director Emerita, Leslie Tomkins commented, “It has been a great honor and privilege to create and lead this organization for over three decades. Tessa came to mind immediately when considering a successor. She is a spectacular artist who brings joy and endless creativity to her playing and shines in musical genres beyond classical. Music in concert with the landscape distinguishes the Moab Music Festival from all others. Tessa has a deep connection to that special alchemy, and I look forward to seeing the Festival thrive and evolve under her imaginative, thoughtful leadership.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued Jan. 6, 2025 by the Moab Music Festival.
Members of the Old Lyme Police Department stand either side of Georgios Sirigos (center) after his Jan. 8 graduation from the CT Police Academy. All photos courtesy of Town of Old Lyme..
OLD LYME—The Town of Old Lyme has announced that its newest Police Academy recruit, Georgios Sirigos, graduated from the 383rd session at the Connecticut Police Academy on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker (right) and Resident State Trooper Matthew Weber stand with Sirigios (center) after his graduation.
The ceremony took place at Welte Auditorium at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn.
Georgios Sirigios receives the Chief Luciano Award from Chief Roberto Rosado of the Meriden Police Department.
During the ceremony, Sirigos was presented with the Chief Luciano Award by Chief Roberto Rosado of the Meriden Police Department. This award is given to the recruit who maintains the highest GPA throughout his training at the academy.
Sirigios celebrates with his family after his graduation.
Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker commented, “The Town of Old Lyme is very pleased to have Georgios as part of their Police Department. He will begin his field training in Old Lyme next week.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued Jan. 8, by the Town of Old Lyme.
