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Friday, November 20, 2009

A Monroe woman escaped serious injury today when he car flipped over on the Merritt Parkway in the southbound lane just before Exit 42 in Westport. Caitlin Walsh was wearing a seat belt at the time and this no doubt contributed to her surviving the crash with minimal injury, said Deputy Chief Jonathan Gottfried. She declined medical treatment at the scene. The accident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. and was cleared about a half hour later, but not before southbound traffic came to a standstill, delaying hundreds of drivers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk’s office for the period Nov. 2 - 6, 2009:

Gretchen F. Dale to Edward P. and Kimberly and Nancy DiConza, 107 Cross Highway, $1,250,000

Victor J. Chaves to James E. and Lauren Booth, 28 Manitou Road, $3,250,000

Jean M. Boyd Est. to Jonathan and Stephanie Bart, 32 Wright Street, $710,000

Elfi Lechleitner and Mark A. Solsburg to Matthew T. and Melissa T. Ogorman, 5 Fresenius Road, $1,125,000

Robert F. Callahan, a trustee of the Washington, D.C.-based National Parks Conservation Association, told the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club today that the nation must preserve its national parks. Addressing the weekly meeting at Bobby Q’s restaurant, Callahan stressed the necessity of maintaining the parks in their present form while preserving the balance between human enjoyment and wildlife preservation. The goal of the nonprofit Association, established in 1919, is to protect and enhance the U.S. National Park System for present and future generations. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Fourth grade WEBELOS from Pack 39 met with Westport First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff Thursday as part of their citizenship badge efforts. The youngsters posed a wide range of questions ranging from what is the town doing to combat the H1N1 flu to how does the town leader spend his day. The WEBELOS Cub Scout program is a two-year transition aimed at gearing members toward doing Boy Scout-type activities and events and to foster their eventual graduation from the Cub Scouting program to the Boy Scout program. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Jeffrey and Karla Quinn are honoring Westport’s heritage by displaying a Westport Historical Society plaque identifying their 18 Bridge St. home as the Rufus Wakeman house which was built in 1884. Wakeman was First Selectman of Westport from 1884 to 1891 and served as state representative in 1895. After he died in 1916, the house was left to his son Austin Wakeman, who was also a First Selectman and a probate judge. The Quinns moved to Westport in July 2007, three years after their Italianate house received a Westport Historic District Preservation Award. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Weingarten for WestportNow.com

Gazing intently at the Saugatuck River in hopes of snaring a fish, a blue heron waits on a rock in the water behind Westport’s Parking Harding Plaza on Thursday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

9:30 a.m. – Center for Senior Services – Commission for Senior Services
10 a.m. - Westport Town Hall Room 201 - Voting audit District 7
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Fridays in November: Internet and Email Training
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Aggregate: Art and Architecture—a Brutalist Remix”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Treasures from the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection”
7 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - Westport Youth Film Festival presents “The Complex” by Fjellberg Swerdlowe
7 p.m. - Toquet Hall Teen Center - Nero w/ Bluebird Handwriting
7:30 p.m. - Staples High School Auditorium - Staples Players present “Guys and Dolls”
7:30 p.m. - Trumbull High School - FCIAC football championship Staples vs Bridgeport Central
8 p.m. - Unitarian Church (10 Lyons Plains Road) - “Proof” by David Auburn

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church is getting ready for its annual Thanksgiving Day feast. At the church, Mary Ann West (l) and Paula Mikesh loaded turkeys into the refrigerator to be distributed to the many volunteer families who will cook them. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

By Larry Untermeyer

A Westport group took a laughter-filled walk down memory lane today with the daughter of one of the 20th century’s most famous U.S. entertainers—Jack Benny.
Joan Benny of Greenwich regaled the Y’s Men of Westport Weston today with stories about her legendary comedian father, Jack Benny. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Joan Benny of Greenwich regaled the Y’s Men of Westport Weston weekly meeting with story after story about her father and other entertainment world greats.

They included members of Benny’s radio entourage--Rochester, Mary Livingston (Benny’s wife), singer Dennis Day and announcer Don Wilson. 

She also told stories about other celebrities including Benny’s legendary rival Fred Allen and comedian Bob Hope. 

More "Hey, Rochester:  It’s Jack Benny’s Daughter in Westport"

The annual Westport-Weston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Westport-Weston Clergy Association, will be held at Saugatuck Congregational Church Sunday at 4 p.m. followed by a reception by the Interfaith Council.

The Clergy Association president, The Rev. John H. Danner, senior pastor at Saugatuck Congregational Church, said: “This service is a wonderful expression of our gratitude--not only for the material blessings so many of us enjoy, but also for the freedom we have to worship together across faith traditions.”

The service will feature participants from the various faith communities in the Westport community.

Today was the last day of the Westport Thursday Farmers’ Market on the Imperial Avenue parking area until next year. Despite a chill in the air and overcast skies, a number of patrons turned up to browse and shop. A Thursday Farmers’ Market will continue on Dec. 4 in Fairfield in an indoor location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The broadcasters at Westport’s Staples High School radio station WWPT-FM have won awards in a national competition they entered for the first time this year.
Staples winners included (l-r) Eric Gallanty, D.J. Sixsmith, Mike Zito, and Michael Nussbaum. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

They received four awards in the John Drury High School Radio Awards competition for their work in the field of high school radio broadcasting. Staples had national finalists in five of 10 award categories and received awards in four of those five. They are:

Best Sports Talk (third place): DJ Sixsmith, Mike Nussbaum, Eric Gallanty (Two Guys and a “Gal”); Best Sportscast (third place): Eric Gallanty (Sportscast Update); Best Radio Drama (Adaptation) (first place): David Roth’s Acting Class and Jim Honeycutt’s Audio Production Class ("A Christmas Carol"), and Best Radio Station Advisor: Mike Zito.

Although this is the first year Staples has entered, this was the seventh year of the John Drury High School Radio Awards, which were created to recognize excellence in high school radio broadcasting and are judged by industry professionals. 

More "Staples Broadcasters Win Awards"

The Staples High School boys soccer team shoots for its 12th state championship Saturday at noon at Ridgefield High School’s Tiger Hollow complex.

The Wreckers—21-2-0, ranked No. 5 in the LL tournament—take on 20-2-0, No. 6 New Milford.

Staples is coming off a thrilling 3-2 victory Wednesday night over top-seeded Glastonbury. The Tomahawks were ranked No. 4 in the country before the Westporters upended them with a gritty performance.

New Milford reached the finals thanks to a 4-2 win against Guilford. The Blue Wave trailed 2-0 with 30 minutes to go, before erupting for four unanswered goals. Further details are available at www.StaplesSoccer.com.

More "Staples Boys Soccer Championship Set for Saturday at Noon"

Second grade students at Westport’s King’s Highway Elementary School Wednesday learned the art of creating a mural through the hands-on instruction of artist Barbara Lawless, a longtime Westport resident and creator of Weston’s Town Hall mural, among many other local artworks. The art lesson was a part of ArtSmart, a program in which Westport parents introduce elementary school children to the wonders of fine art. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The world commodity markets are not the only place where gold is shining. The skies over Westport’s Longshore Marina got a golden shine on Wednesday evening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

10 a.m. – Earthplace – Sasco Creek Pollution Abatement Committee
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Aggregate: Art and Architecture—a Brutalist Remix”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Treasures from the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection”
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Imperial Avenue Commuter Parking Lot - Westport Farmers’ Market (last one in 2009)
7 p.m. - Staples High School Auditorium - Staples Players present “Guys and Dolls”
7 p.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Sherwood Mill Pond Committee
7 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearing (live coverage cable channel 79 and westportct.gov)
7:15 p.m. – Town Hall Room 309/307 – Westport Youth Commission
7:30 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: John Ortved, “The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History”

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Staples’ Superfans were out in force tonight at West Haven High. They saw a great game as Westport’s Wreckers defeated Glastonbury 2-1 to reach the state boys soccer finals for the second time in four years. Staples takes on New Milford for the state championship on Friday or Saturday at a time and location to be announced. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lisa Krosse for WestportNow.com

UPDATE Revenge is sweet. Last year, Glastonbury scored twice in the final eight minutes, ousting Westport’s Staples High School in the Class LL semifinals of the state boys soccer tournament.
A jubilant Wreckers team celebrates Greg Gudis’s goal—the first of the night against Glastonbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carl McNair for WestportNow.com

This year the two teams met again in the semifinal round with the Wreckers ending victorious in a wild, 3-2 affair in front of a large, boisterous crowd at West Haven High School. 

Staples earned the right to play for the 12th state championship in its 51-year history--and first since 1993. Staples meets New Milford Saturday at a time and site to be determined. It is the first state championship game for New Milford.

This will be Staples’ second championship appearance in four years. In 2006, they lost 2-1 to Simsbury in sudden-death overtime.

More "Staples Defeats Glastonbury 3-2 in Class LL Semifinal"

By Larry Untermeyer

The Westport Police Athletic League (PAL) ice skating rink at Longshore Club Park is on target for its day after Thanksgiving Day opening.
Workers today readied the Longshore Ice Rink, which is slightly larger than last year’s rink. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Tony Lantier and his staff at Thin Ice Management have been hard at work over the past few weeks preparing to transform the Longshore tennis courts into a super ice skating rink. 

This year skaters will enjoy a 15 percent larger glass-enclosed rink surrounded by new boards.

The new rink is 10 feet wider and 5 feet longer to provide more space for this winter activity which has grown in popularity each year since its inception in 1996.

More "Longshore Ice Rink Almost Ready"

A Norwalk real estate professional today entered a not guilty plea on federal charges he falsified information on a mortgage application for a Westport home he appraised at $2.7 million.

Prosecutors said Thomas Preston, 49, entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.

A grand jury had returned an indictment on Oct. 7 charging Preston with one count of making a false statement on a mortgage loan application, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Following the arraignment, he was released on a personal recognizance bond.

More "Feds: Appraiser Falsified Westport Mortgage Application"

The house at 35 Charcoal Hill Road off North Avenue in Westport’s Coleytown area was demolished today. Built in 1933, the 1-1/2-story cape had 3,615 square feet, was situated on a 2.84-acre property and changed ownership in February 2008 for $1.4 million. It was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on May 17, 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Phyllis Groner

For years, William Grimes ate on the company’s tab. But no longer.
William Grimes: His photo was posted in a kitchen. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The former restaurant critic for The New York Times told a Westport Public Library audience today he’s turned into a dinner-at-home guy.

“I don’t go out to dinner very much any more since I have to pay for my own meals,” he said.

Grimes, in Westport to talk about his book “Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York, ” has been at the Times 20 years.

In addition to restaurant critic, he has worked as a magazine writer, culture reporter, theater columnist, book reviewer, and lately obituary writer.

More "Former Restaurant Critic Serves Up NYC Culinary History"

The Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) said today it has scheduled additional H1N1 vaccination clinics on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Monday, Nov. 30.

To schedule an appointment, visit WWHD’s Web site and follow the link to the H1N1 Vaccine information page.

The clinics are only for those residents who are eligible to receive the inactivated, injectable formulation of the H1N1 vaccine, the District said.

The supply of injectable vaccine remains limited, so those eligible must have an appointment; no walk-ins will be accepted, according to an announcement.

More "Health District Schedules New H1N1 Clinics"

The entrance to Westport’s Gorham Island office building is ablaze with fall colors. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

8 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Maintenance Study Committee
10 a.m. – Town Hall Room 201 – Administrative Review Committee
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Arts Center - “Aggregate: Art and Architecture—a Brutalist Remix”
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Westport Historical Society - “Treasures from the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection”
Noon - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: William Grimes, “Appetite City”
7 p.m. – Town Hall Auditorium – Conservation Commission (live coverage cable channel 79 and westportct.gov)
7 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Authors@the Library: Gail Rentsch, “Smart Women Don’t Retire—They Break Free”

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

There was “Off the Wall Storytelling” tonight at the Fairfield Theater Company as a number of Westporters joined neighbors for the Fourth Wall Down production hosted by Westporter Ina Chadwick, WestportNow Insider Arts columnist, (front center) and Fairfield resident Simon Billig (seated) The six programmed volunteer storytellers regaled the audience with eight-minute stories of coincidences and were joined by three members of the audience. Pictured with Chadwick and Billig are (l-r) Steve Knowles, Karen Knowles, Joe Limone, Pumfey Silverglide, Rebecca Jarit, Stephen Siegel, Marjorie Kass; (back row) John Lamb, musician, and Rozanne Gates. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

A Westport audience tonight heard a presentation from a Congo female journalist and activist who has borne witness to the systematic rape and violence against women in her country. Chouchou Namegabe Dubuisson (l), 31, has been described as “a pioneering, fearless voice for justice and accountability” in the African nation wracked by a relentless war in which various armed groups often vent their rage against women. Before her talk at the Westport Arts Center, she chatted with Francis Kalangala (c), a former top Congo military leader before he joined a rebel group and eventually sought asylum in the United States, and his wife, Evelyne Mukasonga, who now live in Bridgeport. The event was co-sponsored by The Connecticut Council of Vital Voices Global Partnership. The Partnership is an international nonprofit organization that identifies, trains, and empowers emerging women leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Members of the Connecticut Council of Vital Voices Steering Committee posed tonight with guest Congo journalist Chouchou Namegabe Dubuisson at the Westport Arts Center. Pictured are (seated, l-r) Roberta Cooper of Westport, Chouchou Namegabe Dubuisson, Joyce Thompson (Weston), and Thuy Tranthi (Westport). Standing: Avonne Seideman (Westport), Joanne Krantz (Fairfield), Helah Robinson, program assistant for Africa in the Washington, D.C. office of Vital Voices, Amy Kalafa (Weston), Sheila Weiss (Westport), Nancy Wergeles (Weston), Leslie Greene (Westport), Nancy Heller, director of the Westport Arts Center, Jill Mays (Ridgefield), Tracy Day (Ridgefield), Sue Glendinning (Ridgefield), Elizabeth Strick (Westport), Gita Rajan (Fairfield), Lisa Teixeira (Westport).  Not pictured: Amanda Glendinning (Norwalk). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Nell Mednick for WestportNow.com

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal addresses Westport’s oath of office ceremony Monday night. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, in a legal battle initially funded by Westport and neighboring communities, today asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a ruling upholding new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight paths.

In a formal petition, Blumenthal argued that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia wrongly upheld new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight paths.

The new flight paths will route more large planes over southwestern Connecticut, damaging the region’s environment, according to opponents.

Blumenthal said the new flight paths will unnecessarily increase noise and pollution and the FAA failed to follow its own rules and procedures by ignoring vital data and public input. 

More "Another Appeal in FAA Airspace Redesign Dispute"

Eliza Yass and Ruby Steinberg, eighth graders at Westport’s Coleytown Middle School, have been named junior volunteers of the year by STAR of Norwalk. STAR, Inc. is a not-for profit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities. They are pictured with Jill Schreckengost of STAR. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Rev. John H. Danner, senior pastor of Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational Church since 2001, has informed church members that he will be leaving in January for a Florida post to be near his four grandchildren.
The Rev. John H. Danner is shown presiding over last year’s Thanksgiving Day feast at Saugatuck Congregational Church. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The 56-year-old Maine native and a pastor’s son who went into the restaurant business before taking up the ministry said in an e-mail message that he was leaving “with very mixed emotions.”

“I will be completing my tenure here at Saugatuck on Jan. 24, 2010 so that I might accept the call to serve as Senior Pastor of the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ in Florida,” he said.

“This move will make it possible for Linda and me to be there as our four grandchildren grow up. 

More "Saugatuck Church’s Danner to Leave in January"

A Norwalk Hospital cancer specialist told the Westport Rotary Club today that “explosive inroads” are being made in the treatment of cancer. Dr. Richard Frank said that in 10 years “when someone has cancer their cell information will be accessible online and a specific cocktail (treatment) will be administered.” Frank, a hematologist/oncologist and director of cancer research at the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, is the author of “Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

An 83-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s Disease was missing for a short time late today in the vicinity of Westport’s High Point Road, prompting police to issue a CodeRed telephone alert.

However, just as the message was going out at about 4:45 p.m., a police officer spotted the woman and reunited her with relatives in the vicinity of Bedford Middle School, according to police.

Police then issued another CodeRed message saying the woman had been found.

It was the second time in less than three weeks that Westport police had issued a CodeRed alert for a missing elderly woman. On Oct. 30, police found a missing 74-year-old woman after calls from residents who received the alert. (See WestportNow Oct. 30, 2009)

The Staples High School boys soccer team’s state LL tournament semifinal game will be played at West Haven High School Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Wreckers (20-2, seeded No. 5) take on Glastonbury (19-0-1, seeded No. 1). The game is a rematch of last year’s semifinals when the Tomahawks scored two goals in the final eight minutes to defeat Staples 2-1.

This will be the Wreckers’ fourth state semifinal appearance in the last six years. 

They are shooting for their 12th state championship in history and first since 1993.

There was a golden sky above Westport’s Compo Beach at sunset on Monday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Marc Litvinoff for WestportNow.com

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Westport Property Transfers Nov. 2 - 6, 2009
MORE >>

ARTS & LEISURE

Hey, Rochester:  It’s Jack Benny’s Daughter in Westport

Learning the Art of Murals

BUSINESS

Westporter Heads New Connecticut Online News Project

Comings and Goings: Fitness Factory Opens on Post Road East

COMMUNITY

Sending Out Holiday Mailings

Winners

HEALTH & FITNESS

Health District Schedules New H1N1 Clinics

Doctor: “Explosive Inroads” in Cancer Treatment

EDUCATION

“Hoops for Heart” Raises Funds at Bedford Middle School

Laughter With a Message

OBITUARIES

Ann Allen Schaefer, 90

Carmelle G. Duquette, 98

POLITICS

Letter from Isabelle: “Wos It Wirth It?”

Joseloff Sworn In for a Second Term

REAL ESTATE

Westport Property Transfers Nov. 2 - 6, 2009

Honoring Our Heritage: 18 Bridge St.

SPORTS

Staples Boys Soccer Championship Set for Saturday at Noon

Superfans

SPECIAL REPORTS

Memorial Day 2009 photos
 
A Westporter’s View: Final Farewell to Walter Cronkite
MORE >>

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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport