Category Archives: Towns

Death Announced of Thomas H. Johnston of Old Lyme, Survived by His Wife, O.P.; Celebration of Life Planned at Later Date

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8/14/1941 – 11/04/2025

OLD LYME—Thomas H. Johnston, 84, of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

Born Aug. 14, 1941, in Callicoon, N.Y., and raised in Roscoe, N.Y., Tom lived a life marked by service, faith and devotion to family.

He earned his degree in economics from The Catholic University of America before joining the United States Coast Guard, where he served honorably in Vietnam as both a patrol boat XO and supply officer. During his service, Tom married Carole Philopena …

In 2005, Tom married O.P., and together they enjoyed life in Old Lyme, active in their church and community.

Tom is survived by his wife, O.P.; son Paul Johnston and his wife Kate; daughter Leonore D’Onofrio and her husband Dave; grandchildren: Elias, Eva, Ryan and Lucia; and stepson C.P. and his wife Tosca …

A Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date. The family would appreciate donations in Tom’s honor to The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, designated for the Food Pantry or Shoreline Food Pantry and Soup Kitchens.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published by ‘The Day’ on Nov. 14, 2025.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Celebrate Veterans Day with Music, Memories, Speeches and Salutations

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The keynote address at LOL Middle School was given by Dr. Jennifer Hall, US Coast Guard Lieutenant (Ret.) All photos courtesy of Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

LYME/OLD LYME—On Tuesday, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools commemorated Veterans Day with a breakfast for local veterans followed by ceremonies in each school incorporating speeches, music and singing to honor all veterans. Students of all ages were involved in the day’s events.

This Middle School student was busy preparing a hearty breakfast for the Veterans.

Each Veteran was presented with a thoughtful gift (below) from the Middle School student body.

After breakfast at the middle school, the veterans attended a program in their honor in the school auditorium. The program included a keynote address given by Dr. Jennifer Hall, US Coast Guard Lieutenant (Ret.) and the presentation of Patriot’s Pen Essay Winners.

Bandmaster Jacob Wilson leads the musicians in a rousing piece honoring the Veterans.

Later the Veterans moved to Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) for another event at which the LOLHS Band played …

… and the LOLHS Chorus sang.

This trio of Veterans—VFW Post 1467 Trustees David Griswold, (left) and Doug Wilkinson (right), along with VFW Post 1467 Commander Richard Mason (center)—enjoyed the high school reception..

A reception was held at the high school after the program there allowing the veterans to mingle with the students.

The Veterans were also enthusiastically welcomed at Lyme Consolidated School, as this young man’s face clearly shows!

These youngsters sang lustily at Lyme Consolidated School for their esteemed guests …

… and down at Mile Creek School, the students also gave a wonderful presentation for the Veterans.

After the event, David Griswold commented to LymeLine via e-mail, “Veterans Day at the school is special. The support we receive from the administration and facility along with the food, music, speakers, and especially all the students means so much to us. “

The sign says it all … and here at olwenonline.com/, we add our sincere thanks to all the Veterans who have served, continue to serve and, in some cases, made the ultimate sacrifice.

Numerous Lyme Preserves to Close on Weekdays for Deer Hunting Season Starting Wednesday

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Johnston Preserve in Lyme is one of the areas affected by weekday closures during Deer Firearm Hunting Season. File photo.

LYME–The town’s Open Space Coordinator Wendolyn Hill has announced the closure of 10 preserves on weekdays from Wednesday, Nov. 19 to Tuesday, Dec. 23, for the deer firearm hunting season.

The preserves will be closed Monday through Friday to all users except deer firearm hunters with a permit.

No hunting is allowed in these preserves on Saturdays or Sundays at which time the preserves are open to other users.

The following preserves, owned by the Lyme Land Trust or the Town of Lyme, are affected:

  • Beebe Preserve
  • Chestnut Hill Preserve
  • Eno Preserve
  • Hilles Preserve 
  • Jewett Preserve
  • Johnston Preserve
  • Mount Archer Woods
  • Pickwick’s Preserve 
  • Plimpton Preserve
  • Slawson Preserve

Permits for hunting on these preserves are granted by the Open Space Coordinator each year to a limited number of licensed hunters. The hunting program for this year is fully subscribed.

For more information on hunting program, visit https://www.lymelandtrust.org/hunting-program/.

Old Lyme Historical Society Hosts Calendar Launch Event, Thursday

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A ‘Launch Party’ for the 2026 ‘Then & Now’ calendar is planned for Thursday, Nov. 20.

OLD LYME — On Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc., (OLHSI) will be celebrating the release of its new 2026 ‘Then & Now’ Old Lyme Community Calendar at a free After Hours Launch Event at the OLHSI building at 55 Lyme St. in Old Lyme. All are welcome.

Wine, beer and soft drinks, along with light refreshments, will be offered. A raffle will also be held to benefit the OLHSI.

Calendars will be available for sale at $12 each.

This is the 14th year that the OLHSI has published this popular calendar, which incorporates a different set of photographs from the organization’s archives juxtaposing the historical images with contemporary ones of the same scene.

The images included in the calendar are a small sampling of the many interesting, archived photographs of Old Lyme establishments, landscapes, and scenes dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.

Each calendar month is sponsored by a different community organization and includes the dates of their events throughout the year. The intent is to highlight and assist in marketing activities occurring in Old Lyme in 2022 as well as remembering the past.

The 2026 ‘Then’ & Now ‘ Old Lyme Community Calendar was designed by James Meehan and edited by Michaelle Pearson. Contributors to the development of the 2026 Calendar were OLHSI Board Members; Reno Bolduc, Mary Dangremond, Eleanor Hufford, Nancy Mol, Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster, and Nicholas Westbrook.

The mission of the OLHSI is to “collect, preserve, interpret and promote the rich history” of Old Lyme.

To learn more about the OLHSI and its activities, visit www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org or stop by the OLHSI office at 55 Lyme St. in Old Lyme.

Cooley Gallery Hosts Opening Reception for ‘Small Painting Show’, Thursday

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Winter’s Eve at the Meeting House (detail) by Winfield Scott Clime (1881-1958).

OLD LYME—On Thursday, Nov. 20, The Cooley Gallery hosts what it has for many years dubbed, “the unofficial start of the holiday season.”

This is the always popular Opening Reception forThe Small Painting Show, which will be open to all from 5 to 7 p.m.

The show, which runs through Jan. 4, 2026, features numerous small paintings and fun objects from the past and present. The majority will be for sale.

Nearby there will be more holiday cheer just behind the gallery at both Richard Freeman Fine Jewelry and Artemisia Inc., which will both also be open from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Cooley Gallery is offering special holiday hours on Friday and Saturday from12 to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment

Call 860-304-2386 or visit anytime at cooleygallery.com