LYME — The Hamburg Fair Committee has announced that this year’s Hamburg Fair will take place Friday through Sunday, Aug. 18, 19 and 20.
Much more information will follow but we wanted to share this news right away, so mark your calendars now for this always popular event!
OLD LYME — On Thursday evening at around 7:50 p.m., the Old Lyme Fire Department (OLFD) was dispatched in response to a report of a gasoline spill at the Bestway Foodmart Convenience Store located at 281 Shore Rd.
On arrival, OLFD members saw that a fuel tanker truck was in the process of making a delivery of diesel fuel at the convenience store. During the delivery, a release of diesel fuel spilled onto the pavement surfaces at the store.
Initial evaluations by the OLFD determined the spill size to be approximately five gallons.
Subsequent investigations identified that a larger quantity of approximately an additional 15-20 gallons of fuel oil were disbursed from the property along the eastern edge of Hartford Ave.
The release was limited to paved areas of the convenience store and roadway. The released fuel oil neither extended to nor entered into any catch-basins or storm drains.
The OLFD deployed adsorbent materials to dike and contain the liquid runoff. During this time, the diesel fuel delivery company contacted their clean-up contractor, who was dispatched to the scene to undertake cleanup activities.
Additionally, the OLFD notified the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) of the incident.
DEEP dispatched a Spill Response Coordinator to the scene to coordinate the cleanup efforts.
The scene of the spill was turned over to the DEEP personnel on scene and terminated by the OLFD at approximately 9:25 p.m.
By the morning of Friday, Feb. 24, cleanup activities at the site had been completed and the convenience store resumed its normal operation.
Contact the Old Lyme Fire Marshal’s Office at 860-434-1605 ext. 231 with any questions or concerns.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by the Office of the Fire Marshal at the Town of Old Lyme.
Editor’s Note: This op-ed was submitted by Old Lyme residents Christina J. and Thomas D. Gotowka.
We are writing to express our strong support for the arts overlay district on Lyme Street that has been proposed by the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts; and which would amend Old Lyme’s zoning regulations and create “a more flexible arts and social district or districts”. Note that their site at 84 Lyme Street is zoned residential”, although the Academy, with its extensive studios and classrooms, has operated on that site as an educational institution for decades; and has really become an anchor for Lyme Street and may often be a visitor’s first impression of our town.
Clearly, Old Lyme recognizes and celebrates its long-standing community relationship with and support for the arts; which began in 1899, when Miss Florence Griswold opened her family home to artists. This “Old Lyme Art Colony” became influential in the development of American Impressionism; and produced many important works illustrating their Old Lyme environs; — e.g. “The Church at Old Lyme”, by Childe Hassam, an early resident of the Colony.
The Hartford Courant reported in 1907 that: “the most talked about art colony in America today is at Old Lyme, Connecticut”.
The Lyme Art Association, which was incorporated in 1914, is an early “offspring” of the Colony and began its exhibitions of impressionist paintings in 1902, held at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library every summer until 1921; when the original Lyme Art Association gallery opened at 90 Lyme Street.
The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts was founded in 1976 by Elisabeth Gordon Chandler “for the teaching of sculpture, figure drawing, Illustration and painting dedicated to the fine arts”. In 2021, after severing a relationship with the University of New Haven, the Academy made the strategic decision to restructure in accordance with their founding principles; as an academy, not a college. “We want to re-activate our campus as a center of fine arts education and a community hub”.
The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center at 100 Lyme Street, appropriately named for the renowned artist, naturalist, author, environmentalist, and of course, Old Lyme resident; is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the Connecticut River Estuary ecosystem and watershed, through science-based research, education and advocacy. The Center is located along the Lieutenant River at the former Bee and Thistle property.
Michael Duffy, Chairman of the Academy’s Board of Trustees, has stated that they seek “a predictable set of guidelines so they can plan, knowing that their activities are “in conformance with the regulations”.
The Town’s Planning Commission determined in October, by unanimous vote, that the proposed overlay district is consistent with the Town’s “Plan of Conservation and Development”, which was adopted in February, 2021. They referred the proposal to the Zoning Commission, and it was on that Commission’s November 14 agenda; continuing through December and January.
The proposal raised concerns with the Town’s Historic District Commission.
The primary driver of this proposal has been the Lyme Academy; but previously, Rebekah Beaulieu, then-executive director of the Florence Griswold Museum, stated, “the Museum and the Lyme Art Association remain committed allies to our peers at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in their petition. We aim to support current and future mission-oriented non-profit organizations in our shared goal to build sustainable operating models while serving the Old Lyme community.”
Claudia Weicker, chair of the board of directors of the Estuary Center, said, “I view the cultural overlay district as something which would be beneficial to the town” and that would establish parameters and the ground rules under which we all could operate,”
We feel that approval would place the Zoning Commission in closer step with Town administration, who has regularly provided some financial support to these four organizations; both as budgeted “211 Grants” or additional awards this past year from the American Rescue Plan. The latter includes a grant to the Academy for “the improvement of walkways, stairs, ramps, and doors to provide unfettered access to individuals with mobility issues; and also, to the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center to support “the creation of an accessible science discovery and environmental learning center for children”.
Approval would also provide the Academy with the tools that would assist them in their programmatic planning and enable thoughtful and sustainable growth in the arts district that maintains the “look and feel” of our historic district.
Old Lyme’s Zoning Commission must bring its courage and skill to bear on to this proposal and create a cultural/arts district that should probably extend from the Academy grounds through the Estuary Center.
We acknowledge the words of our Greater Library Lane neighbor, Bill Folland, who recently wrote with some passion that “Residents of Old Lyme must reject the hysteria surrounding necessary survival plans for the art academy as well as objections put forth by our Historic Commission.”
In closing, we reminisce of the 1960s, and with some gratitude for Old Lyme’s history and arts culture, say “Provide a little Power to the Palette”.
OLD LYME — The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Wendy Bury as Managing Director. Bury will begin transitioning to her new role on March 1, and will be fully integrated into the Academy’s administration by June.
In her new role as Managing Director, Bury will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Academy, as well as for strategic planning initiatives, community outreach, and institutional development, as the Academy approaches the 50th anniversary of its founding.
She will work in partnership with Co-Artistic Directors Jordan Sokol and Amaya Gurpide, who will continue to lead the artistic direction of the Academy, and with the Board of Trustees.
Michael Thomas Duffy, chair of Lyme Academy’s Board, expressed his enthusiasm for Bury’s appointment: “We conducted a thorough search and reviewed the credentials of dozens of outstanding candidates.”
He continued, “I think one of Wendy’s references said it best when they told us that, ‘In Connecticut, there are few people who are as capable as Wendy. She can develop an innovative vision, a road map, engage partners, and put her shoulder to the wheel to make it happen.’”
Co-Artistic Director Sokol echoes Duffy’s sentiments: “I’m thrilled to welcome Wendy to the Lyme Academy. Her experience and proven leadership make her the perfect partner to carry its mission forward, and to ensure its sustainability.”
Bury arrives at a time of tremendous growth for the Lyme Academy, as it pursues its mission of providing a world-class education to representational artists. Sokol and Gurpide, both internationally-recognized artists and art educators, have attracted numerous full-time students from around the globe to the Academy’s Core Program since their arrival in January 2021. They have also created successful Continuing Education and Studio Immersion programs, added a sculpture program, led by premier American sculptor Chad Fisher, and have developed a robust schedule of lectures and workshops for students and the community.
Bury’s own professional accomplishments are many, and speak to a similar commitment to dynamic growth and advancement. As a life-long advocate for the arts, she has acted as a highly visible leader and consultant for small and large nonprofit arts and cultural businesses, multi-agency collaborative projects, and economic development agencies and chambers, as well as for nonprofit startups in the arts and cultural sector.
In 2014, Bury was named founding Executive Director of the newly formed Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, now 600-partner organizations strong and serving all of Eastern Connecticut. Bury has also served as a liaison for municipalities and government agencies, an advisor on nonprofit economic impact studies and reports, and she has been appointed to the boards of numerous Connecticut-based organizations.
Of her new position at the Lyme Academy, Bury comments, “I have had the opportunity to get to know Lyme Academy over the past several years and understand well the challenges it has faced during a time of change. With the renewed commitment to its original mission, passionate Board of Directors, supportive community, and a phenomenal artistic team, I look forward to being a part of the leadership that will help the Academy reach its full potential and, as its mission states, ‘empower a new generation of artists and enrich the cultural life of the community.’”
After earning a B.A. from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, Bury received her M.A. in Art History from Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University. Early internships with the New York Transit Museum and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Arts for Transit program inspired a life-long passion for public arts projects and services. Her career has subsequently featured several prominent leadership positions in Connecticut, including in policy, economic, corporate, and community development.
Since 2014, Bury has served as the founding Executive Director of the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, an independent nonprofit organization and part of a statewide network of Designated Regional Service Organizations to support the Connecticut Office of the Arts in the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The Coalition’s mission is to improve the economy, vitality, and quality of life in Eastern Connecticut by supporting its cultural and creative communities. Currently, it provides programs and services to, and advocates for, more than 600 partners, including museums, performing arts organizations, artists, historical societies, economic development agencies, tribal and military entities, municipalities, and creative businesses.
Prior to this role, Bury was the founding Executive Director of La Grua Center, a nationally-recognized arts and cultural center in Stonington, Connecticut. Bury currently serves as Corporator of Chelsea Groton Bank, a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, and a board member of both Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer) and Chelsea Groton Foundation.
Between 2015 and 2021, Bury served on the Board of Directors of the CT Arts Alliance and was Co-Chair of its Policy & Issues Committee. Bury also served as a Co-Chair of Governor Lamont’s and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz’s Transition Arts, Culture, and Tourism Policy Committee upon their election in November 2018.
Bury has lived in Stonington, Conn. for 28 years and has three children.
Editor’s Notes: i) The mission of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts is to teach the foundational skills of drawing, painting, and sculpture in the figurative tradition. By its commitment to training students in these skills and an engagement with contemporary discourse, the Academy will empower a new generation of artists. Through its programs, the Academy is committed to enriching the cultural life of the community.
ii) This article is based on a press release issued Feb. 1 by Lyme Academy of Fine Arts.
ESSEX, CT — The Essex Ed Parade was held last Sunday. Pots and pans, spoons, whistles and trumpets ‘played’ by parade-goers, many in festive groundhog gear, celebrated the larger-than-life-groundhog making his annual pilgrimage from Essex Boatworks on Ferry Street and up Main Street.
As always, Ed’s costume was a secret until his parade appearance. Each year a community organization dresses him in a costume that acknowledges a person, group or special occasion. That costume and organization will be revealed on the parade route to Ed’s final place of honor, at the roundabout on the top of Main Street.It turned out that this year Ed was honoring the Valley Regional/Lyme-Old Lyme Football Team, which reached the 2022 CIAC Class S State Final.
In 1978, Essex Ed was created out of boredom by local resident Mary Ellen Brophy and friends who wanted to interject some fun into what was an extremely cold and unpleasant winter. Without securing town approval, Brophy referred to Essex Ed’s surprise appearance at the Essex Square roundabout on Groundhog Day as “creative vandalism – a way to get everybody outside for some silly, winter fun.”
Over the years, Ed has sported a wide range of disguises, ranging from an Olympic skier, complete with a gold medal touting “Gopher the Gold”, to Superhog, with a cape and Superwoman-style uniform. He/she’s been the Captain of the Titanic, Princess Leia, a football player, firefighter, fisherman, soldier, Beethoven, preppie, librarian, and even Elvis!
The local celebrity groundhog is featured in a new children’s book, Essex Ed’s Groundhog Day Parade (ISBN: 9798840622902), written by Essex resident Susan Cornell. This independently-published book is illustrated by award-winning artist Mina Hamanoto Mohtasham, an instructor at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme and Essex resident.