OLD LYME—Despite the intense rain storm in the afternoon, by the time the evening rolled around, the skies were clear and a wonderful night of music and friendship took place on the grounds of the FloGris Museum.
The ‘Mighty Soul Drivers’ kicked off Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival 2025 yesterday evening with a rousing concert.
Picnics were eaten, beverages were consumed, friends reconnected, and some people even stood up and danced!
A memorable night was enjoyed by all!
OLD LYME— On Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6:30 p.m., award-winning sportswriter, baseball beat writer and author Marty Gitlin presents a program about one of the the most intense rivalries in American sports – maybe the world. This free event will be held at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library at 2 Library Ln in Old Lyme,
This fun program hosted by award-winning sportswriter, baseball beat writer and author Gitlin features videos of the biggest moments of the rivalry from well over a century, as well as trivia questions.
From the sale of Babe Ruth in 1919 that launched the Yankees dynasty and Curse of the Bambino to Joe DiMaggio vs. Ted Williams to the Brawl of 1967 to Bucky Dent to Munson vs. Fisk to the Red Sox Revenge of 2004 all the way to today – this program covers it all … and more!
Gitlin will have his Ultimate New York Yankees Time Machine Book and Ultimate Boston Red Sox Time Machine Book for sale after the event.
Gitlin is a freelance book writer and journalist based in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to Diana, Princess of Wales (Greenwood 2008), he has written several history books for students, including works on the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, Battle of The Little Bighorn, and Stock Market Crash of 1929.
He has also written biographies of NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.
Gitlin worked for two decades as a sportswriter, during which time he won more than 45 awards, including first place for general excellence from Associated Press. That same organization also selected him as one of the top four feature writers in Ohio.
NEW LONDON—It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gina Rivera Hernández de Perez, 55, of New London. On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Gina passed away peacefully at Backus Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. She faced a courageous battle with cancer, a fight defined by her incredible strength, unwavering spirit, and enduring grace.
Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, on September 26, 1969, Gina was raised in the Barrio Cerro Gordo of Añasco. In 1979, she moved with her family to New London, Connecticut, where she graduated from New London High School in 1987. Though she built her life in Connecticut, her heart remained deeply rooted in her heritage. As she proudly declared, she was “más boricua que el coquí.”
… For many years, she was a beloved member of the staff at Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools, where her energy and warmth were cherished by her colleagues. She cherished her work and looked forward to the day her health would allow her to return.
Gina was predeceased by her father, Efraín Rivera Valentín.
Her memory will be cherished forever by her loving husband, Manuel Perez; her beloved mother, Migdalia Hernández Nieves; and her devoted children, Yajaira Y. Vega Rivera (Juan), José J. Muñiz Rivera, and Joshian Y. Muñiz Rivera.
She was also a loving stepmother …. She adored her step-grandchildren, …
Gina also leaves behind her siblings, … her twin brother, … and her stepsister, … as well as her treasured niece and nephews, … her beloved aunt,… and uncle, … along with many loving cousins and extended family members.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 11a.m. at Lester Gee Funeral Home, 108 Blinman Street, New London, Connecticut. Calling hours will begin at 10a.m. until time of service. Interment will be held in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London, Connecticut.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 6p.m to 8p.m. Lester Gee Funeral Home,108 Blinman Street, New London, Connecticut.
Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published on Legacy.com on July 23, 2025.
OLD LYME–This year’s race for Old Lyme First Selectman will be a rematch between incumbent Democrat Martha Shoemaker and Republican John Mesham.
The Republican Town Committee this week announced Mesham’s candidacy as part of a slate of candidates endorsed Tuesday at their new headquarters on Halls Road.
Mesham, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, retired from the Connecticut State Police in 2020 as a master sergeant after 29 years in law enforcement. He is a member of the Inland Wetlands Commission and a deputy registrar of voters.
The Republicans in a press release described Mesham as an experienced leader with “impeccable integrity” and proven management skills.
“John will also bring much needed ethical standards and transparency back to leadership in Town Hall,” the party said.
The victory in 2023 went to Shoemaker with 51.8% majority. She brought in 1,820 votes compared to Mesham’s 1,697.
Along with Mesham, incumbent Republican Jude Danenhower Read will run for reelection to the three-member Board of Selectmen as they work to reverse the current Democratic majority.
The Republicans said Mesham and Read were instrumental in resisting unpopular initiatives during Shoemaker’s term, including a plan from the Halls Road Improvements Committee to reenvision the commercial strip as a mix of apartments and businesses.
Selectmen late last year voted 2-1, with Read opposed, to send the plan for the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) to the Zoning Commission. It was rejected in a 4-1 vote by the commission after hours of testimony at a public hearing in front of 550 people, with more waiting in the wings of the Lyme-Old Lyme High School auditorium.
“Together, John and Jude have forged relationships across partisan lines in Old Lyme including open and collaborative relationships with Democrats and unaffiliated voters in our town,” the party said.
The Republicans credited Mesham and Read with spearheading opposition “to back door land deals on access to Tantummaheag Landing” as part of a years-long dispute over the ownership of a spit of land bisecting a Tantummaheag Road property. The town going back to previous First Selectman Tim Griswold’s tenure has claimed ownership of the landing amid opposition from the owner, a prominent lawyer and government official with more than a half century of experience, who has signaled his intent to take the case to federal court.
Republican Town Committee Chairman Randy Nixon in an email said a majority of committee members voted to endorse the slate of candidates, which was recommended by its nomination committee.
In response to a request for an interview with Mesham, Nixon said he would have the candidate reach out next week.
The party’s platform includes maintaining the semi-rural character of Old Lyme; fiscal prudence; control over land use decisions in town; resident access to water through town land; high quality education; environmental protection and transparency in town government.
The press release, which directed questions to campaign manager Shaun Mastroianni, emphasized the slate includes Republican and unaffiliated candidates, who were selected based on qualifications rather than party – “all of whom stood firmly and actively against HROD and are concerned about key issues affecting the public.”
Mastroianni moved to Old Lyme in 2023 from Stonington, where he was active in local politics. He ran unsuccessfully last year for the state Senate seat held by Martha Marx, D-New London.
The following candidates were endorsed with Mesham and Read for the November election: (*incumbent)
Town Clerk – Vicki Urbowicz*
Board of Assessment Appeals – Timothy C. Griswold*
Planning Commission – Harold Thompson*, Todd Machnik*
Board of Education – Jarod Bushey, Shaun Mastroianni, Brandy Campbell, Frank Pappalardo
Board of Finance – Matthew Olson*, J. David Kelsey*, John Flick
Board of Finance Alternate – Michael Presti, Maria Corrao Marchant, Bob Antoniac
Zoning Commission – Sloan Danenhower (U), Jane Marsh*
Zoning Board of Appeals – Stephen P. Dix (U)*
Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate – James T. Scott, Jill Pilgrim, Nicholas Fulton
Editor’s Note: The article was updated to correct the vote at the Halls Road zoning meeting and to clarify Nixon’s statement regarding a possible interview with the candidate.
OLD LYME—The Old Lyme Arts District has announced two of the town’s premier summer celebrations: the Midsummer Kickoff Concert on Friday, July 25 and the Old Lyme Midsummer Festival on Saturday, July 26.
The Arts District in a press release said the family-friendly events showcase the town’s rich artistic heritage and welcoming community spirit in a weekend of art, music, and family fun.
Midsummer Kickoff Concert at the FloGris Museum, July 25
The Florence Griswold Museum, 90 Lyme St., is once again hosting the kickoff concert the night before the Midsummer Festival. This year the Mighty Soul Drivers will entertain. Bring your chairs or blanket and get ready for this favorite party and dance band. Bring a picnic or enjoy food vendor fare.
Special thanks to Concert Sponsors AllPro Automotive and Mercer Advisors/Benchmark Wealth Management, LLC.
More information can be found at FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org.
38th Annual Old Lyme Midsummer Festival, July 26
Find art, music, food, and family fun at the 38th Annual Old Lyme Midsummer Festival. The day’s events begin with a 5K road race and then continue with festivities at the Lyme Art Association, Florence Griswold Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, and the Old Lyme Inn. More information can be found at ExploreOldLyme.com/MidsummerFestival2025.
Midsummer 5K Run hosted by Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, 59 Lyme Street
Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme Street
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, 100 Lyme Street
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lions Club Classic Car Show (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.):
Enjoy antique, exotic, and hot rod vehicles. Entrance fee of $5 gives attendees the chance to judge entrants. Trophies awarded after 1pm. The Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club will also be offering its popular grill items onsite.
Peterson Collection on View: Artist proofs and signed prints in the Eleanor Robinson Center
Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, 84 Lyme Street
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
*There is also an exhibition of Jac Lahav’s paintings of iconic record covers at Nautilus Architects at 9 Halls Rd. Admission is free and light refreshments will be offered. There will be live music between by Eggshell between 2:30 and 4:30pm*
There will be a concert by the Old Lyme Town Band starting at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn behind Center School, which will be followed by the traditional fireworks display.
Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family, and make memories this summer in Old Lyme!
Full schedules, maps, and updates available at ExploreOldLyme.com.
The Midsummer Festival is generously supported by Connecticut’s Eastern Regional Tourism District, Pasta Vita, Essex Savings Bank/Essex Financial Services, the Herb Chambers Charitable Foundation, Inc, Bluewater Millwork & Construction Inc, Mercer Advisors, the Nancy Mesham Team at Coldwell Banker Realty, and LymeLine.com.
About the Old Lyme Arts District
Located in the heart of Old Lyme, Connecticut, the Old Lyme Arts District is a collaborative cultural community that celebrates the town’s artistic legacy through exhibitions, events, and partnerships. Anchored by the Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Art Association, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Cooley Gallery, Side Door Jazz Club, Nightingale’s Acoustic Café, Musical Masterworks, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, and Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, the District offers year-round programming that inspires creativity and fosters community.