OLD SAYBROOK–On Saturday, Sept. 6, the Estuary will host ‘Delivering Hope: a Party with Purpose‘—an evening of dinner, drinks and dancing to benefit its Meals on Wheels program.
The organization in a press release said the ‘Delivering Hope’ event aims to bring the community together to tackle food insecurity among seniors and ensure access to nutritious meals.
Funds raised through ticket sales, a silent auction, and donations will directly support meal preparation and delivery services.
The Estuary provides nutrition, transportation, social services, activities, and fitness programs to residents in Chester, Clinton, Essex, Deep River, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.
UPDATED Aug. 7 with additional biographical information and details of the Celebration of Life.
The death has been announced of Anthony David Carrano on July 18, 2025. He was born in New Haven, CT on June 12, 1950 to Andrew and Carmela Carrano and has a younger brother, Andrew (Buddy) still residing there.
Anthony graduated from Cross High Scool in 1968 and Quinnipiac University in 1972.
He married Lois Parisi (1950-1989)and they had a daughter, Valeria, who resides with her husband , Francesco Camperlingo, and their three children in Salerno, Italy.
After teaching history in Westbrook Middle and High Schools, he moved to Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools in 2000 where he served as Assistant Principal of LOL Middle School for many years and subsequently moved to Lyme-Old Lyme High School where he took the same role.
Anthony and his wife, Patty Doran retired 13 years ago to Bonita Springs, FL, a place which he dearly loved.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Patty; his daughter, Valeria Carrano, her husband, Francesco Camperlingo and their three children, Joseph, Stella, and Angelo. He also leaves his brother Andrew Carrano; and two stepsons, Stephen Doran, his wife, Leah, and their children, Eleanor and James; and Christopher Doran.
There will be a Celebration of the life of Anthony Carrano at Bar, 254 Crown Street, New Haven, CT on Tuesday, September 16th from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Please RSVP to 239-980-2024 and send any photos of Tony to be included in a video program.
There was no official obituary but Tony’s wife Patty wrote this beautiful tribute to her late husband and gave us her permission to publish it.
How do you say goodbye to the love of your life? Tony, Anthony, Antonio, Ant, were names that those of us who were lucky enough to share the days of our lives with you, called you. It was a long 7-month battle with multifocal glioblastoma, but now you are at peace. During those months we shared stories of our entire lives and those who made it special. I always say that I moved to CT to find you. You taught me about Italian food, Italy, friendship, kindness, and most of all, love. We shared each others families and built a beautiful life together these 20+ years.
Your wish was to have your ashes and spirit brought back to your beloved Amalfi and spread out at sea while Neapolitan music and Frank Sinatra play and the ghosts of your ancestors dance with those of us who will mourn and celebrate you. I also hope that you will forgive me if I take part of you back to CT, The Cove, New Haven, Westbrook, and Old Lyme so that your many family, friends, former students, and I can celebrate you in the place where we fell in love.
I will love you forever, but now you are at peace.
Your loving wife, Patty or Patricia as you loved to call me.
For more than 100 years, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley has been a trusted presence along the Connecticut shoreline, providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare to individuals in the comfort of their own homes. As a not-for-profit, community-based agency, our mission has always been to put people before profit—and we remain deeply committed to that mission today.
Our dedicated team of skilled nurses, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, home health aides, and social workers work tirelessly to help patients heal safely and comfortably at home. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic illness, or need support transitioning from hospital to home, we’re here when you need us most.
But now, we need you.
Why Community Support Matters
As a small, independently operated agency, we are facing unprecedented challenges:
Declining reimbursements from insurance companies
Rising competition from large, corporate healthcare systems
Referral limitations by hospitals and skilled nursing facilities that often direct patients only to their partnered agencies
These trends threaten the existence of independent providers like Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley—providers who have long stood as pillars in their communities.
Despite these pressures, we refuse to compromise on what matters most: personalized, timely, and compassionate care.
What Sets Us Apart
No delays in services—we’re small, responsive, and focused on your needs
Personalized attention—you’re never a number
Local and not-for-profit—choosing us supports a community-based agency that reinvests in your neighborhood
Trusted for generations—our roots in the Lower Valley run deep
You Have the Right to Choose
Did you know that you have the legal right to choose your home healthcare provider? Under Connecticut General Statute 19a-504d, patients can request the agency they prefer. When you’re at the hospital or rehab facility and planning your return home, ask for Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley by name—and continue with the team you already trust.
How You Can Help
Choose us and support local when you or a loved one needs homecare
Spread the word to family, friends, and neighbors
Advocate for patient choice in healthcare
Donate to support our not-for-profit mission and help us continue serving your community
To learn more about our services or how to support our work, visit www.visitingnurses.org or call 860-767-0186.
We are honored to walk beside you on your care journey—and with your support, we’ll continue to do so for the next century and beyond.
Sincerely,
Sarah Foley on behalf of The Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, Old Lyme
Editor’s Note: About 15% of Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley’s clientele comes from Old Lyme. The group also serves Centerbrook, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haddam, East Lyme, Essex, Haddam, Ivoryton, Killingworth, Madison, Moodus, Old Saybrook, Waterford, and Westbrook.
MIDDLETOWN–River Valley Transit is partnering with the state’s largest taxi company to offer $5 rides for older adults and people with disabilities in towns including Lyme and Old Lyme.
The transit company in a press release recently announced the launch of Encompass, a new program designed to make it easier to travel within select towns in the Middlesex County area on any day, for any reason.
The $5 cost covers up to eight miles. Trips beyond eight miles are charged at a rate of $2.90 per mile.
The program is a partnership between the transit company and M7.
The low-cost rides are currently available in Lyme and Old Lyme along with Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. The transit company said the program will soon expand to Durham, East Hampton, Middlefield, Chester, Deep River, Essex, East Haddam, Haddam, and Killingworth.
“We wanted to do everything we could to help our seniors and our passengers with disabilities get where they need to go—to the doctor, the pharmacy, the grocery store, or just to see family,” said Bill Scalzi, owner of M7.
River Valley Transit Executive Director Joseph Comerford described the partnership as an innovative transportation solution.
“We are always looking at ways to improve mobility in our region,” he said.
Applications are accepted at Encompass.M7Ride.com by clicking the “Get Started in Middlesex” button.
Passengers must be 60 years of age or over or provide proof of a disability to apply. Trip payments are made online through a personal Encompass account created by the passenger. Passengers can load funds into the account via credit card payments or direct bank transfers.
There is no limit to the number of trips a passenger can take. The passenger is given the exact trip cost at the time of booking and the fare is automatically deducted at the end of each ride.
All M7 drivers are fully trained and vetted, and all vehicles are fully licensed, inspected and insured, according to River Valley Transit.
Jane Wisialowsi is the Democratic candidate for the 23rd District State Representative.
LYME/OLD LYME/OLD SAYBROOK/ – Leading reproductive rights organizations Planned Parenthood of Connecticut and Reproductive Equity Nowhave both endorsed Jane Wisialowski in her campaign for 23rd District State Representative (Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Old Lyme, and Lyme).
These endorsements highlight Wisialowski’s commitment to reproductive rights and healthcare access.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, Planned Parenthood said of Wisialowski, “We are grateful that you have indicated that, as a legislator, you are willing to advocate for protecting and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people.”
The statement added, “We are in an urgent moment and working together we can achieve our vision for a future where all people in Connecticut can realize the right to control their bodies, their lives, and their futures.”
Reproductive Equity Now announced its endorsement in August: “The right to abortion, contraception, IVF, and all forms of reproductive health care are facing existential threats on the national stage,” president Rebecca Hart Holder said in a statement.
She continued, “Reproductive Equity Now is proud to endorse candidates who are ready to fight for reproductive equity and ensure that Connecticut remains a firewall for abortion access in post-Roe America.”
“I am so proud to receive the endorsement of these two brave organizations that are on the front line in the fight for women’s reproductive freedom,” said Wisialowski.
She continued, “When elected, I will always fight to protect women’s reproductive rights, access to contraception and IVF.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by Jane Wisialowski’s Campaign Office.
