Tag Archives: Old Lyme

CT Early Music Festival 2025 Concludes with Concert in Conn. College Today

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OLD LYME/NEW LONDON – The Connecticut Early Music Festival (CEMF) returns for its 43rd season, presenting six concerts across the first three weekends in June. The festival brings together world-class musicians to perform both familiar and rarely heard works.

The Festival opened Saturday, June 7, at Harkness Chapel, Connecticut College, featuring Handel’s Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline. James Burton, Director of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, led the CEMF Ensemble in Handel’s tribute to his forward-thinking Queen, patron, and friend.

The Festival continued with a concert on Sunday, June 8, at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme. Acclaimed flutist Emi Ferguson returned with a program of virtuoso sonatas by J.S. and C.P.E. Bach. Ferguson was joined by Guy Fishman on cello.

“This year’s Festival brings to life remarkable compositions from the 17th and 18th centuries,” said Artistic Director Ian Watson. “These performances, honoring the composers’ intentions, promise to be fresh and revelatory. They still have the power to transport us today!” 

“Our 2025 Festival showcases the rich tapestry of early music, from the brilliance of the three sopranos in Concerto delle donne, to intimate chamber music featuring viola da gamba and theorbo, to the thrilling sound of our Festival Ensemble performing Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons,” said Henry Clapp, Board President.

He adds, “Whether you are a seasoned early music enthusiast or discovering these treasures for the first time, we look forward to sharing these extraordinary performances with you!” 

After the first weekend, the festival continues with a series of four additional concerts as follows:

  • Saturday, June 14:
    St. John’s Episcopal Church, Niantic – Artistic Director Ian Watson performs a special concert of Baroque organ masterworks in memory of John P. Anthony, longtime President of the Connecticut Early Music Society.
  • Sunday, June 15:
    Chester Meeting House – In a program titled Concerto delle donne, three exceptional sopranos perform a stunning program of late 16th-century music composed specifically for professional female voices.
  • Saturday, June 21:
    La Grua Center, Stonington – An intimate evening of French Baroque chamber music, featuring viola da gamba and theorbo, perfectly suited to the acoustics of La Grua’s historic setting.
  • Sunday, June 22:
    Harkness Chapel, Connecticut College – The festival concludes with a celebration of the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed by Susanna Ogata (violin) and the Festival Ensemble.

All concerts are at 5 pm. To encourage wider access, CEMF is offering half-price tickets for individuals under 40, along with complimentary admission for students of all ages. Special series and mini-series ticket packages are also available.

For tickets and full festival details, visit ctearlymusic.org.

Old Lyme Land Trust Hosts Bench Building Workshop, Sunday

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It was all smiles at the most recent bench-building event. Photo credit: OLLT.

OLD LYME — UPDATED 6/15: On Sunday, June 14, the Old Lyme Land Trust will host a ‘Bench Building Workshop’ from 1 to 3 p.m.This free, fun event is open to all ages and its objective is to build four benches to be sited on OLLT open space properties for public use.

Materials are precut and ready to assemble. Bring power drill and driver sets.

Light refreshments will be available.

Register at this link to receive details of the location or text 617-699-1920.

This event was postponed from yesterday due to the inclement weather.

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: 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.

Old Lyme Historical Society Hosts 20th Annual Meeting, OL History Trivia Night, June9

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The 20th Annual Meeting of the Old Lyme Historical Society will be held on June 9, in the organization’s building at 55 Lyme St.

OLD LYME —On Monday, June 9, the Old Lyme Historical Society hosts its 20th Annual Meeting & Old Lyme History Trivia Night in its building at 55 Lyme St., Old Lyme.

The schedule for the evening is:

5:30 p.m. – Deep River Junior Ancients
6 p.m. – Meeting and Scholarship Awards
6:30 p.m. – Refreshments
7 p.m. – Trivia Contest and prizes​​

All are welcome.