LYME — This year’s parade in Lyme celebrating our country’s 248th birthday was full of all its usual delights including music, marchers and much merriment … though missing the muskets of yesteryear. Enjoy our photo essay of the grand event.
OLD LYME—On Friday, June 28, representatives of Old Lyme’s Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library celebrated the opening of the new StoryWalk® in memory of the late Agnes O’Connor at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC)’s Sunken Garden.
The RTPEC is located on the site of the former Bee & Thistle Inn.
After a brief dedication, participants were invited to enjoy refreshments and then walk/read the trail featuring In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming. All ages are welcome.
The Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin StoryWalk® is provided in partnership with the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center. It is located on the RTPEC grounds and can be accessed by visitors most days between dawn and dusk.
The StoryWalk® promotes early literacy, physical activity, and family time together in nature. Stories will be updated seasonally and feature books that celebrate nature.
The StoryWalk® is dedicated to the memory of Agnes O’Connor, a beloved Old Lyme resident and volunteer, who loved reading and nature.
OLD LYME—On Saturday, June 22, Witness Stones Old Lyme presented a celebratory event filled with jazz and poetry on the lawn of the Florence Griswold Museum. This event honored Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, and offered a vibrant fusion of music and spoken word.
Over 150 attendees experienced a powerful, moving, and joyful afternoon enriched by a harmonious blend of jazz and poetry.
Acclaimed Connecticut poets Marilyn Nelson, Kate Rushin, Rhonda Ward, and Antoinette Brim-Bell offered a range of work that mixed humor with poignant recollections and included tributes in verse to those once enslaved in historic Lyme. The poets’ words memorably captured forgotten voices and vividly brought to life the experience of bondage in the Lyme-Old Lyme community.
The celebration showcased the Nat Reeves Quartet, with Nat Reeves on bass joined by saxophonist Abraham Burton, pianist James Austin, Jr., and percussionist Michael Ode. Both Nat Reeves—a renowned figure in the jazz world for over 40 years—and Abraham Burton have contributed significantly to the genre as performers and educators, who train and inspire new generations of jazz musicians.
The quartet’s stirring presentation combined with the poets’ voices offered attendees a reflective and uplifting experience honoring the legacy and cultural contributions of African Americans.
The Juneteenth celebration, held on a former site of enslavement, highlighted the importance of remembering and honoring the past and served as a reminder of the continuing struggle for freedom and equality.
Editor’s Note: Learn more about Witness Stones Old Lyme and the 46 plaques commemorating those once enslaved in Old Lyme and Lyme at this link.
OLD LYME—Charles J. Batts, Captain, USN (Ret.) of 3 Old Bridge Road, Old Lyme, passed away peacefully at his home April 22, 2024. He was 83 years old. Captain Batts was born in Tipton, Ind., May 16, 1940, the youngest of six children of the late Walter J. and Bernice Batts.
… He … was a member of the Old Lyme Congregational Church. He supported Connecticut River preservation efforts, and could be frequently seen kayaking on the river that he loved. He was a resident of Old Lyme, since 1976.
Charles lived life to the fullest, …
His house was an important hobby, applying his woodworking, engineering, electrical and timber framing skills to restoring and enhancing an old granite house on the Connecticut River …
In addition to his wife, Kah, he is survived by his daughter Michelle and her husband Todd Archer, of Old Lyme; two grandchildren, Emily and Sophie; and a sister, Sara Campbell, of Dayton, Ohio.
Memorial services and a celebration of Charles’ life will be held at his home in Old Lyme, in June. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army …
Visit this link to read the full obituary published by The Day on May 5, 2024.
OLD LYME–Harry Steven Plaut, of Old Lyme, known to his family and friends as “Har”or “HP,” passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, just after his 72nd birthday.
Harry was born in Hartford, the son of Elaine Sayadoff of Bloomfield and the late Michael J. Plaut. He is also survived by his son, Alexander Plaut of Shelton; his sister, Laurie Shakun and her husband Marshall … and his beloved rescued Pit Bull, Casey Plaut …
… he served his shoreline communities after graduating from Harbor Master School in 2015, as both Harbor Master for Old Lyme for nine years and Westbrook for five years … Harry was also a long-time member of the OLRTC club …
His affection for spending time with his friends, playing cards, bonfire cookouts, and yelling “Casey get back in the office,” while holding hot tea in his hand, will be remembered for years to come. Harry left a lasting impression on everyone he met …
His service will be private …
Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published by the Hartford Courant.