Friday, October 29, 2021
www.towntimes.com
Volume 27, Number 44
Is the Levi E. Coe Library haunted?
In Brief Holiday baskets During the holiday season, the Town of Durham and local volunteers prepare Thanksgiving baskets for families and individuals in need. Donations of turkeys will be accepted Thursday, Nov. 18, 8 to 9 a.m., at the Durham Activity Center. Cranberry sauce, stuffing, canned vegetables and instant potatoes are needed as well. And gift cards are always appreciated. To apply for a basket, call 860-3493153, or email perry@ townofdurhamct.org.
By Bronwyn Commins Special to Town Times
heard of objects that moved on their own and shadows attached to no There are two types of peo- human form. And we ple in this world: those heard some terrifying who like candy corn, and recording, EVPs (electronic those who don’t. voice phenomenon). But when it comes to the During each of these paraLevi E. Coe Library, there normal visits, the library appears to be only one director, Jessica Lobner, type of person: the type would quietly step into the who loves this always-wel- room and assume a seat in coming resource in Midthe back. This is when dlefield. those in attendance assumed the program was What’s not to love? Contindrawing to a close. uous book sales, a smalltown feel, beautiful garBut not so fast. Lobner dens, artifacts from history, had her own stories to an outdoor labyrinth, and, share, and each of them of course, all those books. takes place at the very library in which we were And in October’s past seated. Some occurred — pre-COVID — many of when the speakers in front us found our visits to the of the room visited the library inspired by the building, not to share a paranormal groups that presentation, but to invesshared their expertise on tigate unexplained occurall things spooky. Attenre nces. dees at those programs
Singers sought
One of the many historical items on display at the Levi E. Coe Library. Photo by Bronwyn Commins
The first strange incident Lobner says she experienced at the library came when she was working there as a college student.
One morning 20 years ago, checking in returns from the book drop prior to the See Library, A9
GMChorale is comprised of a diverse group of individuals of all ages and walks of life who are united in their love of music and a desire to create community. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings, 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Bethany Lutheran Church, 50 Court St., Cromwell. For more information, and to inquire about joining, visit gmchorale.org, or contact New Member Coordinator Margie Livengood: margie.livengood@gmchorale.org, 860633-6198.
Letters to the Editor Close Lyman School Editor : As a student of the very first ID class at Lyman (Chestnut Hill) in 1972, it is difficult for me to imagine closure. However, due to declining enrollment, it is clear that we must direct our finite resources with a laser focus to directly support the students, rather than a building. The Lyman building will require a large community capital improvement investment. If Lyman is to close, the efficiencies gained
through streamlining our building utilization and staffing will directly go towards strengthening educational programming and will reduce the tax burden. When I was encouraged by my neighbors in Middlefield to volunteer and serve on the BOE in 2017, Lyman closure was already recommended. The 10 current Board of Education members unanimously support the closure. The BOE has already approved moving toward a unified single educational approach, so this is not a question about maintaining the unique educational pro-
gram that Lyman had. The closure of Lyman is anything but a partisan political issue. An unintended consequence of the two programs was that students became divided as they integrated with other students in later grades. The ID and contemporary student divides are real, and has a negative impact on student well-being. In this current world of division, including bullying on social media, it is our responsibility to unify the best we can.
If Lyman closes, all learners of a grade level will attend the same school. From a student’s perspective, the rich associations and friendships they can experience from knowing their peers from both towns in the early days can benefit them the rest of their lives. Teachers can more effectively do their important job with focus, communication and collaboration. For the benefit of all of the stakeholders, I will be voting “yes.” Jamie Roraback Board of Education member