Category Archives: Towns

TOP STORY: Old Lyme Democrats Announce First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker’s Bid for Reelection

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Full Slate of Candidates for November Election Unveiled, Shoemaker Will Not Run Again for BOE

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker

OLD LYME–First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, unanimously endorsed this week by Democrats in her bid for a second term, wants to keep trying her best for the town. 

“There are still things that I want to finish,” she said Thursday at the Town Hall. 

Shoemaker, who also serves on the Region 18 Board of Education, said she will not run again for the school board.

The first selectwoman cited several big projects she hopes will come to fruition in the next two years, as well as some new initiatives bolstered by volunteers committed to making the roads safer and the shoreline more resilient. 

“I’d like to see the sewer project through,” she said of the decades-long push to update several beach communities currently reliant on septic systems. “I’d like to see the Grassy Hill (Road) Bridge and the Emergency Operations Center completed.”

She said she’s excited to see the work being done by a reinvigorated Flood and Erosion Control Board. The group had been dormant for four years before she made good on a campaign promise two years ago to bring it back. 

“We live in an area that is prone to floods, and we need to do everything in our power to make sure that we’re keeping all water areas safe,” she said. 

She also pointed to the creation of the Road and Public Safety Committee earlier this year to address resident concerns about speeding and other safety issues. 

Shoemaker became first selectwoman in 2023 with a 51.8% majority. She brought in 1,820 votes compared to Republican opponent John Mesham’s 1,697. 

The Republican Town Committee on Thursday had not yet announced the slate of candidates approved at the party’s Tuesday endorsement meeting. 

Shoemaker acknowledged the past two years have not been without controversy. 

A plan from the Halls Road Improvements Committee to reenvision the commercial strip as a mix of apartments and businesses was widely panned. The Board of Selectmen, which had voted to send the proposal to the Zoning Commission, reacted to the subsequent outcry by putting the Halls Road committee on hold while considering a new path forward. 

The scaled-back focus now is on sidewalks, according to Shoemaker. She signed off in May on a grant application to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) for $800,000 to install them on the north half of Halls Road. 

Also contentious was Shoemaker’s failure to promptly disclose public documents requested by the CT Examiner involving the independent Old Lyme Ambulance Association. Reporters for the media outlet told the state Freedom of Information Commission it took 168 days for Shoemaker to provide incident reports revealing allegations that an intern was touched inappropriately and repeatedly by an adult emergency medical technician. 

The state commission issued Shoemaker a $250 civil fine for not promptly handing over the public documents. The hearing officer at the time acknowledged Shoemaker had put corrective measures in place and agreed to annual transparency training.   

“I made a mistake,” Shoemaker said, without specifying where she went wrong. “I paid the fine. And we’ve revamped.” 

The Democratic Town Committee on Wednesday voted on a slate of candidates that includes incumbent Jim Lampos for selectman, according to a committee press release. 

Shoemaker said Lampos’ love for the town makes him an ideal running mate, again.

“He is so thoughtful in his comments,” she said of the business owner and author of several books on local history. “He has a historical perspective to anything that we are looking to do.”

Also endorsed were: (*incumbent, +current alternate)

Planning Commission – Michael F. Riggio

Board of Finance – Kimberly Thompson*, Candace A. Fuchs*

Board of Finance Alternates – Diane Y. Linderman*, Tom Walsh, Fred Behringer (U)*

Zoning Commission – Michael Fogliano (U)*

Zoning Board of Appeals – Michaelle Pearson+, Kip Kotzan*

Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates – Kathleen Tracy*, Richard Korsmeyer

Board of Assessment Appeals – Devin Berke+

Regional Board of Education – Jason L. Kemp*, Michael J. Hansen, Sheryl Shyloski and Cynthia Love McCollum

Editor’s Note: This article was corrected to show the Republican Town Committee endorsement meeting was held Tuesday.

Lyme Public Hall Hosts ‘Open Jazz Jam,’ July 27

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LYME—On Sunday, July 27, from 4 to 6 p.m., Lyme Public Hall hosts Live Music Last Sunday, featuring Keith Coakley on keyboard, Adam Anderson on bass and Jason Apostoleris on drums. It will be an Open Jazz Jam and all musicians are welcome to sit in on the performance.

Enjoy this free concert for the community at the Lyme Public Hall.

Bring your friends and family, BYOB plus any snacks you like and join Lyme Public Hall members for a lively evening of great music and good company.

Sing a ‘Ceremony of Carols’ at ‘SummerSings’ in Old Saybrook, July 28

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Guest Conductor for 7/28 is Kristine Pekar

OLD SAYBROOK—The lineup has been announced for the SummerSings series of casual sing-alongs that bring together acclaimed conductors, professional soloists and anyone who enjoys singing. 

SummerSings is co-sponsored by Cappella Cantorum and the Con Brio Choral Society. They bill the six-event series as an opportunity to enjoy choral works without the pressure of preparing for a formal performance.

The series of six 2025 SummerSings events will be held on Mondays in Old Saybrook at the First Church of Christ, 366 Main St., from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration begins at 7 p.m. 

  • June 23: Giacomo Puccini’s Messa Di Gloria with Conductor Steve Bruce, Con Brio Choral Society
  • June 30: Franz Schubert’s Mass in G with Conductor Irina Georieva, Cappella Cantorum
  • July 7: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem with Conductor Joe D’Eugenio, Greater Middletown Chorale
  • July 14: Elaine Hagenberg’s “Illuminare” with Conductor Edward Bolkovac, New Haven Chorale
  • July 21: Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Mass in C with Conductor Chris Shepard, Con Brio Choral Society and CONCORA
  • July 28:  Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” with Conductor Kristine Pekar, Old Lyme High School 

A $20 fee covers the cost of the event, including a musical score for attendees to borrow. The fee for students is $5. 

No advance registration is required. 

UPDATE: Swim Advisories Lifted at Hawks Nest, Point O’ Woods in Old Lyme

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OLD LYME–On July 17, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) announced, “There are currently no swimming advisories or closures in effect at any LLHD-monitored beaches.” 

The health district website explains the agency conducts weekly sampling from Memorial Day through Labor Day in Old Lyme as well as East Lyme, Groton, Ledyard, New London, Stonington, and Waterford. 

Water quality is measured by the presence of enterococcal organisms, which are a group of organisms that may indicate the presence of potentially harmful bacteria.

The State of Connecticut has issued water quality guidelines to determine if a bathing area needs to be resampled or posted with an advisory. A concentration of enterococcal organisms exceeding 104 colonies per 100 ml of marine water and 235 colonies per 100 ml of freshwater is considered unsatisfactory for bathing.

An advisory is triggered when two consecutive samples exceed the state threshold, according to the health district. The advisory is removed once levels are safe.

The Movie Man: ‘Superman’ is a ‘Summer Blockbuster … Absolutely Worth’ Seeing

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Kevin Ganey is ‘The Movie Man’

With an alluring narrative, top-notch special effects, amicable characters, and thought-provoking themes, James Gunn’s adaptation of Superman is absolutely worth the occasion of going to the movies.

David Corenswet leads as Clark Kent (or Kal-El) and is perfect for the role. Besides his massive and well-built physique, he does justice to the superhero, who was raised in modesty (his parents, Jonathan and Martha, appear as if they were authentic elderly residents of Kansas, juxtaposed with his fast-paced city life). He curses only a few times, mostly resorting to wholesome words like “darn” or “heck”.

This is countered by Rachel Brosnahan’s performance of his cynical co-worker (and secret girlfriend) Lois Lane, always seeking the truth but giving a hint of envy for Clark’s unusually positive outlook on humanity.

Much can be said about Nicholas Hoult’s performance as archvillain Lex Luthor. Hoult perfectly personifies the man who does not possess superhuman powers, but brilliance, capital, and clout; all infused with coldhearted ambition, guided by cruelty. There is something all too familiar about the personality of this tech billionaire, who despises Superman and his kind because they remind humanity of their limitations.

He seems to be pursuing another kind of superman, the subject of the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche (the Übermensch), the next step in evolution. This superman must destroy all preconceived concepts of right and wrong, which will hinder humanity’s growth to dominate. 

Gunn’s adaptation goes further than previous depictions of Superman. Despite being the starting point of a franchise that will (hopefully) be followed by many sequels, Superman’s origins are not depicted.

He is already an established superhero, beloved by the public, and working as a reporter for The Daily Planet (which also includes a steady relationship with Lois Lane that has yet to be disclosed to Human Resources.) And while the movie reminds the audience of Superman’s origins as an alien sent to earth after his home planet of Krypton was destroyed, a damning revelation is eventually made public which will break Superman’s understanding of his purpose. 

This revelation also amplifies the themes interwoven throughout the movie’s runtime, particularly about morality and heroism. Superman is not the only superhero character (this also includes the Green Lantern, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl), but he appears to be one of the few characters, who authentically desires to do the right thing for the right reasons, while others appear to have corrupt motives.

In a bold move, this Superman acknowledges his imperfections and has come to terms with his limitations, understanding that true greatness comes from the choices we make, not the destinies that we create for ourselves.

But beyond the character development and themes, this is an overall enticing movie that entertains the viewer in every aspect. Despite being a DC superhero movie, which tend to have dark and gritty themes, there is an abundance of humor peppered throughout its runtime. I particularly loved Lois Lane’s “interview” with Superman which ultimately morphs into an argument about politics with her boyfriend.

Gunn also brings the nostalgic charm that made his Guardians of the Galaxy movies instant hits, with a soundtrack that consists of Dad Rock and title design similar to the 1978 movie with Christopher Reeve (there is also a wholesome Easter Egg in which Reeve’s son Will—a reporter for ABC News—makes a cameo appearance.)

In addition, the special effects were truly made for the movie theater, not the most expensive 4K (or even 8K) TV that can be grabbed from Best Buy or Amazon. One of the best ways to see it is in IMAX. For those in the greater Boston area (as I was this past weekend), I suggest catching a screening in one of the Jordan’s IMAX theaters that includes “butt-kickers” (speakers installed beneath the seats).

So what are you waiting for?

This is a summer blockbuster and a family-friendly movie (in fact, I saw a family in line in which mom, dad, and all the kids were wearing their own Superman t-shirts.)

Do you need any additional reasons to catch it? Well, you might even end up watching it multiple times … I know I am seriously considering another screening.

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.)