HARTFORD—The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is developing plans for the Pavement Preservation Project for the 2026 construction season in East Haddam. This project involves applying an asphalt rubber chip seal treatment on Rte. 156 through Lyme and Old Lyme, beginning in East Haddam at the intersection of Rte. 82 (Mile Point 0.00) and ending in Old Lyme at the intersection of Rte. 1 (Mile Point 8.43).
The purpose of this project is to preserve and maintain the condition of the pavement, bringing it to a good state of repair. This project will help the CTDOT achieve Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) goals, through pavement preservation treatments that extend the overall pavement life and improve pavement performance.
The present schedule indicates that the design will be completed in August 2025, with construction anticipated to start in the spring of 2026, assuming acceptance of the project, availability of funding, receipt of any required right-of-way, and environmental permits. This project will be undertaken with one hundred percent (100%) State funds.
A press release issued July 31 by CTDOT states it is the CTDOT’s policy to keep the public informed and involved when such projects are undertaken and important that the community share its concerns with the CTDOT to assist in the project’s development.
If anyone has any questions or comments on this project, contact Sebastian Cannamela, Principal Engineer, at (860) 594-2698 or by email at Sebastian.Cannamela@ct.gov. Questions/comments should make reference to State Project No. 0172-0553.
CHARLOTTE, NC—Barbara Ann Ryan Kenyon, 80, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on April 19, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Joseph Ryan and Laura Marquard Ryan …
Barbara was a devoted wife to her loving husband, Bruce Davis Kenyon, her “co-admiral” and partner in life for nearly 59 years … Barbara also gave her time and leadership as the past board chairman of the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library in Old Lyme, Connecticut, reflecting her enduring love for literature and learning.
Barbara is survived by her husband Bruce and their three children: Erin Sanders and her husband Steve of Charlotte, NC, along with their children Morgan, Ryan, and Brynn; Thomas Kenyon and his wife Margaret of Allentown, PA, and their children Catherine, Nathaniel, Caroline, and Eleanor; and Robert Kenyon and his wife Tracie of Austin, TX. She is also survived by her sister, Laura Turton of Cincinnati, OH, and a wonderful extended family …
A memorial serviceto honor Barbara’s life will be held on August 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211. A reception will follow the service …
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Barbara’s memory to Providence UMC’s Stephen Ministry or to the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. Barbara’s legacy of love, service, and passion for life will continue to live on in all who knew her …
And off they go. Spirits were high as the Lyme-Old Lyme Senior Softball team took their places on their coach-bus for the ride down to Delaware.
LYME/OLD LYME—UPDATED 8/1: Sadly, the girls were defeated 14-2 Monday evening by Delaware on Monday evening and 12-1 by Asia-Pacific on Tuesday evening. Today the team played Southwest at 9:30 a.m. this morning and lost 22-3. In their final game, the girls were defeated 7-3 by Latin America.
Congratulations to the Lyme-Old Lyme Seniors softball team as they set off to compete in the Softball World Series!
The team. of 14 girls aged 13-16 —10 of whom are from Old Lyme with the remainder coming from Westbrook and Deep River — will represent the East Region in the Little League Senior Softball World Series in Lower Sussex, Delaware.
The girls posed for a team photo before departure.
A rousing send-off took place this morning at Lyme-Old Lyme High School as the girls set off in their quest for victory.
Parents, relatives and friends of team members came to wish the girls good luck and show their support for the team.
The Old Lyme Police and Fire Departments joined the Deep River Fire Department to form a convoy with sirens blaring to lead the the team to the highway.
An Old Lyme Police Department vehicle led the convoy accompanying the team bus as it exited Lyme-Old Lyme High School.
Lyme/Old Lyme Little League on social media announced the dates and times for next week’s games on ESPN+. Watch parties will be held at The Stumble Inne, the league said.
Monday vs. Delaware at 6 p.m.
Tuesday vs. Asia-Pacific at 8 p.m.
Friday vs. Southwest at 9:30 a.m.
Friday vs. Latin America at 12 p.m.
We wish the players and coaches the best of luck in Delaware!
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include details of the send-off for the team on Saturday morning.
Adam Sandler’s long-anticipated sequel to the cult-classic Happy Gilmore has been worth the wait as we get another glimpse into the life of the lovable misfit golfer.
Normally I approach long-awaited sequels with apprehension. Star Wars and Indiana Jones taught me that in my formative years. And then there was exploring the franchises whose studio bosses could not take the hint that the world was not interested in films such as Jaws: The Revenge.
But not this time.
If anybody reading this review loved the original Happy Gilmore, I urge you to find a time to watch it as soon as possible. It is a Netflix release, after all. The sequel contains a myriad of Easter Eggs paying homage to the cult classic that can make you laugh and even warm your heart.
Returning stars Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller deliver; in addition to a litany of cameos ranging from golfers (Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jack Nicklaus are among them) to current acting phenomenon Margaret Qualley to rapper Bad Bunny. There are also the expected cameos of Sandler’s comedy friends Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, Jon Lovitz, and Steve Buscemi.
Much can also be said about tribute that was paid to the original cast members, who died in the three decades since its 1996 release.
There is no doubt that the critics will not laud this movie. The original Happy Gilmore was not well-received upon its release but became an instant cult classic. And while I do not believe it will leave as large of an impact as the original, I think it’s a sequel worth watching.
I believe it will be on the level of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. For perspective, I have memorized every line of The Hangover but never saw any of its sequels. Very rarely does a sequel surpass the original movie, and it’s even scarcer in comedy. But, as I have written before in my review for Hubie Halloween, Adam Sandler has demonstrated his motivation is not to satisfy the critics, but his fans.
In this long-awaited follow-up, we get a more intimate and vulnerable glimpse into the title-character, who has now hit rock-bottom. Having tossed aside the golf clubs and picked up bad drinking habits, Happy is given his incentive to get back in the game: sending his daughter, Vienna (Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny), to a prestigious dance academy in France.
It certainly adds to the necessary tension of any sports movie, with many additional moments giving Happy more reasons to come out on top. In addition, there are important pieces of wisdom peppered throughout its runtime.
I have commented extensively about this hybrid era of movie-going where the audience is given the opportunity to watch at home or take a trip to the local cinema. My previous review for James Gunn’s Superman contained a summons to screen it at the theater, particularly an IMAX screening for its special effects. While there are actual moments that include special effects in Happy Gilmore 2, I think that the viewer will be perfectly content watching this from the comfort of their own home. If you wish to make a social occasion of this movie, feel free to search for a theater option.
But you will not be missing anything major by watching this through Netflix. Just don’t watch it on your phone (unless there are no other options). Will there be a Happy Gilmore 3 released in the next 30 years? Who knows? By that time, Sandler’s mobility will be limited, and I cannot see him performing his iconic golf swing without the use of AI.
For now though, we can all enjoy Happy Gilmore 2.
About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey 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.)
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.
