Category Archives: Towns

Friends of Gillette Castle State Park Give New Life to Old Gillette Biography

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The book, originally published in 1970, is now available at the Gillette Castle State Park visitor’s center.

LYME–To celebrate the republication of “Sherlock Holmes and Much More,” the Friends of Gillette Castle hosted a book launch in the Visitor Center of Gillette Castle State Park on June 8.

The Friends in a press release said the republished book, available in hardcover and softcover versions in the gift shop, is made possible through a partnership with Belanger Books and the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. 

The book by historian Doris E. Cook was first published in 1970. It chronicles the life of the stage actor, playwright, and set designer best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. 

“Starting this month, readers interested in William Gillette will no longer need to scour eBay for out-of-print editions of his definitive biography,” the group said. 

The re-release party will include talks from resident and budding Gillette scholar Steven Gaudio and publishers Brian and Derrick Belanger. Gaudio will review some of the lesser-known aspects of William Gillette that comprise the “much more” in Doris Cook’s book. The Belangers will review the publication process for the book and discuss what makes it unique.

Friends’ President Lynn Wilkinson said Gillette’s “particular genius” is evident in the book. 

“Gillette was a pioneer in American theater, a creative inventor, and a motorcycle and railroad fanatic,” she said. “His life was filled with joy and periods of hardship. This book provides a complete picture of this highly creative man.”

The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park will also be offering a free, guided walk along the train trail at 1 p.m., departing from the Visitor Center.  

Gillette’s train system runs through scenic areas of the 122-acre state park, with numerous historic features along the way. The hike is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes long. Registration is required.

The castle will be open throughout the day, with tours scheduled every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $2 for youth ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. Advance purchase is recommended.

Food concessions will not be open on June 8, so visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic or purchase sandwiches locally.

TOP STORY: Old Lyme’s White Sand Beach Makes ‘Save the Sound’ Top Ten in CT

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White Sand Beach rounds out Save the Sound’s Top Ten beaches for water quality over the past three years.

A beach report card from the environmental group Save the Sound has ranked White Sand Beach in its Top Ten list of the highest scoring beaches. 

The beach’s “A” grade is based on scores recorded over the past three years as part of a long-running annual report from the environmental organization analyzing water quality in the Long Island Sound. 

White Sand Beach in Old Lyme, a popular destination for sun-seekers, came in at #10 in the state of ‘Top Ten Beaches for Water Quality’ in rankings just announced by ‘Save The Sound.’

White Sand Beach earned an A+ grade in 2022 and 2023, followed by a B+ last year. Just behind on the scorecard is Sound View Beach, with two A+ grades and a B last year. 

The lowest rated beach in New London County was Green Harbor Beach in New London. Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, after years of poor ratings, earned an A- in 2024. 

Save the Sound in a press release last month said analysis of water quality at 204 swimming beaches from 2022-24 showed 72% earned A or B grades.

The 2025 Save the Sound Beach Report grades are based on an analysis of data from the last three years.

The group grades beaches using water samples collected by health departments throughout the swimming season under wet and dry conditions. The samples are analyzed for levels of fecal indicator bacteria. 

The report noted many Long Island Sound beaches experience a temporary decline in water quality after it rains. That’s when stormwater runoff picks up fecal contamination and other pollutants, flows into streams and rivers, and eventually reaches the Sound. 

“The 2025 Beach Report raises concerns about the water quality impacts of rain events driven by climate change,” the group said. 

The group found the rate at which beaches failed the water quality tests rose from 11.0% in the previous three-year span to 13.5% over the past three years. 

In New London County, the failure rate rose from 7.1% to 10.3% in the same timeframe. 

Save the Sound cited 18.3 inches of rain over the last three years in the area of the Long Island Sound, which matches 2011-2013 as the highest three-year total dating back to 2003. 

“Annual rainfall totals are expected to continue increasing, as is the frequency and intensity of severe storms, a consequence of climate change that will impact water quality around the region,” the report stated. 

David Ansel, vice president of water protection for Save the Sound, said the report demonstrates the need to prioritize investment in sewage and stormwater infrastructure. 

“If we’re not proactive, the impacts of climate change will undo so much of our successful past and ongoing work in restoring the water quality of the Sound,” he said.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to download the report .

TOP STORY: Champions, Again! Lyme-Old Lyme HS Girls’ Track & Field Team Wins State Class S Title for Second Successive Year

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The Wildcats celebrate their second girls track and field state championship in a row – and in program history. From left to right are Jeff Morrin, Chase Gilbert, Maggie Thuma, Alyssa Mercaldi, Jan Merril, Serena Mazzi, Vivian Boller, Zoe Eastman-Grossel, Maia Guisti, Bella Presti and Tabitha Colwell. All photos courtesy of Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

OLD LYME–On Monday, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School girls track and field team successfully defended their title as Class S State Champions. 

The Wildcats last year won the championship for the first time in program history. 

The team was led by junior Chase Gilbert, distance triple crown winner, and senior Zoe Eastman-Grossel, whose three wins included a class record in the 300 hurdles. 

Scores show the Wildcats were victorious with 89 points. Canton came in second with 41 points and Windsor Locks took third with 38. 

Runners listed in the results below with their respective event places are all from LOL High School.

Girls 100m

Zoe Eastman-Grossel in lane six takes first place while Serena Mazzi in lane seven takes third in the 100m dash finals.

1. Zoe Eastman-Grossel, 12.05

3. Serena Mazzi, junior, 12.67

Girls 200m

1: Zoe Eastman-Grossel, 25.38

6: Serena Mazzi, 26.70

300mH

1: Zoe Eastman-Grossel, 44.27

800m

Triple threat Chase Gilbert dominates the 800.

1. Chase Gilbert, 2:22.50

7. Maia Guisti, 2:31.39

1600m

1. Chase Gilbert, 4:59.40

3200m

1. Chase Gilbert, 11.16.05

4x100m

5. Vivian Boller, Serena Mazzi, Maia Guisti, Tabitha Colwell, 52.05

Discus

1. Margaret Thuma 98-05

Girls Long Jump

6. Tabitha Colwell 15-08.00

Girls Triple Jump

8. Tabitha Colwell 31-07.50

Delighted team members celebrate their victory holding high the Class State Championship plaque.

TOP STORY: Old Lyme EDC, BOS Welcome New Owners at ‘The Hideaway’ with Celebratory Ribbon-Cutting

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The four proud owners, José and Diana Plasencia and José Luis and Carolina Marin cut the ribbon together. L-R: Wendy Russell*, Scott Smith*, Mona Colwell*, Joe Camean*, José Luis Marin, Carolina Marin, José Plasencia, (Diana Plasencia behind José), Selectman Jim Lampos, First Selectwoman, Martha Shoemaker, Jeff Hartmann* (*connotes EDC member.) All photos by C. Poirier.

OLD LYME — Family, friends, and lunchtime diners joined the Town of Old Lyme in congratulating the new owners of The Hideaway on Saturday.

The Old Lyme Economic Development Commission (EDC) was joined by the Board of Selectmen in the ribbon cutting ceremony that celebrated both the new ownership and expanded Hideaway offerings of wood-fired pizza. Visit this link to read more about both of these.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker shares her well wishes with the owners .

Economic Development Commission Co-Chair Joe Camean welcomed everyone to the celebration noting, “We are happy to see healthy businesses thrive in Old Lyme and want to thank you for doing business here.”

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker, after also offering her welcome, added, “As a mother of three boys, I know that pizza is a staple in our house and I appreciate we have another place to come and support.”

Co-owner José Plasencia shared his gratitude to those gathered, saying, “Thank you to the whole Old Lyme community for supporting us.”

From left to right, José Plasencia and his daughter Sydney pose with Selectwoman Jude Read, Selectman Jim Lampos, and First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker.

The four new owners, Jose and Diana Plasencia and José Luis and Carolina Marin cut the ribbon together. Jose and Diana run the daily operations of The Hideaway, and Jose Luis and Carolina do the same for The Stumble Inne across the street.

The previous owners of both establishments, Jim and Cyndie Caramante, were on hand for the ribbon cutting and recognized for ensuring the businesses continued through new ownership following the Caramante’s retirement. 

The Plasencias accepted a Certificate of Recognition from the Old Lyme EDC. From left to right, EDC Co-chair Joe Camean, José and Diana Plasencia, Selectman Jim Lampos, and EDC Co-chair Jeff Hartmann.

Following the ribbon cutting and presentation of a Certificate of Recognition, attendees were invited to partake in fresh pizza with a variety of toppings, including one created just the evening before—fresh shucked corn and tomato.

Delicious pizzas galore were on offer at the ribbon-cutting. Photo by Laurie Walker.
The selection of pizzas was truly mouth-watering!
The Plasencia Family had an array of pizza offerings for attendees of the ribbon cutting ceremony.