This shortened week has gone by quickly, due to all the events happening in and around Town Hall.  

On Monday, our local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1467 held their annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Town Hall flagpole.  There were approximately 40 people in attendance. Many thanks to Tim Griswold for preparing some refreshments. Year after year the veterans tell me how much they appreciate the various school ceremonies that are held throughout the Region 18 District.

We reopened Town Hall on Tuesday with clean carpets throughout the building and, after 15 minutes of moving furniture into place, we were back in full swing. Many thanks to Facilities Director Erik Olsen for overseeing the carpet cleaning last Saturday.

On Wednesday, I attended the Owner’s Meeting for the Lymes’ Senior Center Building project. This was our first meeting offsite, as the construction trailer is being taken away. Paving of the parking lot is scheduled to take place within the next week. I will share some photos once it is done. On Wednesday evening the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee met to review the status of the project. The kitchen renovations have all been approved and those changes will be moved into the schedule. Bids for the furniture were opened last Friday. Those are being evaluated today and bidders will be invited to present to the building committee next week.

Our auditors have been working on the annual audit and expect to have a report to us by December 31^st. 

On Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to attend the Old Lyme Historical Society’s 13^th annual Then & Now Community Calendar Launch. The Old Lyme Town Hall was pleased to sponsor the month of January. We chose to focus our page on the period when the Town Hall also served as the Fire Station.  

This upcoming week is nationally recognized as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. It runs from November 17– 23. The goal is to make people aware of those that have food and housing insecurity. There are many ways to get involved in this worthwhile cause. Consider volunteering at a local food pantry, donating to a charity that addresses these needs, advocating for homeless youth, or participating in an educational event to raise community awareness.  

This weekend, the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau, in collaboration with the Old Lyme Police Union, will begin their THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE. The 2024 Thanksgiving Food Drive  will take place near Big Y in the Old Lyme Marketplace. Please look for the Police Officers and LYSB volunteers during the following days:
•Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•Wednesday, November 20, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
•Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please note that we continue to be in a Red Flag Warning, as issued by The National Weather Service. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring. A combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential. The Old Lyme Fire Marshal’s Office is suspending all open burning in town during this period.

This weekend be sure to catch a glimpse of the last supermoon for the year. The full Beaver Supermoon will rise shortly after 4 PM this evening. We should have good viewing conditions for the next three nights.

Have a wonderful weekend!