Roundup: Winter Storm, Bingo, Wreath, COVID Cases, More

Whew!

It was touch and go, but I survived last night’s monster storm.

You can see the damage to my patio in the photo below. As soon as things ease up, I’ll head outside and clean up that newspaper wrapper that blew in from somewhere. Wish me luck!

(Photo/Dan Woog)

All told, 5 (!) Westport customers lost power. Three are still out.

But the storm that missed our town hit other parts of the state. At its height, over 56,000 Eversource customers were out. As of noon, service had been restored to 30,000. Sharon was the worst hit locality, with 70% of customers powerless.

Early in the pandemic, Stan Witkow started a virtual Bingo game. Winners donated their pots to a non-profit of their choice.

Players came from around Westport — and around the country. Each week, the game grew.

Now, Stan says, virtual bingo ends 2020 having raised $10,200.

“My wife Susan and I think this may be one of the best things we’ve ever done.  We can ‘t believe how committed friends, neighbors and strangers (to us) have been to this effort.”

Major beneficiaries have been Connecticut Food Bank, Homes with Hope, Bridgeport Hospital’s special COVID relief fund, and numerous other  organizations here and around the US.

And, Stan reports: “Best of all, everybody wants the game to continue next year. So it will!”

A scene from the Virtual Bingo game.

Christmas wreath, 2020-style:

(Photo/Gene Borio)

As of yesterday, Westport had 884 COVID cases since the beginning of the pandemic (772 confirmed, 67 suspected). The number of new cases in the week — 45 — was down slightly from the previous week.

There were no deaths from COVID within the past 7 days. Our cumulative total is 25. Click here for a full statewide report.

In May 0f 2019, Long Lots Elementary School 4th grader Brett Malizia wanted to help his friend and classmate Eden Kopreski. She had just been diagnosed with leukemia. He raised funds by running in a 5K race and half-marathon.

Brett — now 12 – is doing it again. This Sunday (December 27) he’ll do the Sono half marathon.

It’s a virtual event — every participant runs on his or her own — so there will be no crowds cheering. Brett’s mom — Westport native Ursual Richards Malizia — asked on social media for people to make posters. They’ll line the route, as a nice surprise for him.

Another way to support: Click here for a GoFundMe page. Money raised goes to help defray Eden’s medical expenses, as well as to a leukemia survivor organization.

Ursula and Brett Malizia

A Westport resident found the items below — and newspaper clippings, and more — at 378 Main Street, near Coffee An’. If they’re yours — or you know who they belong to — email lizziehwolf@gmail.com.

So how did you spend your Christmas Eve day?

These guys obviously finished their shopping, and had nothing else to do, so …

(Photo/Chris Tait)

And here was the scene a day later: 12:30 this afternoon…

(Photo/Dan Woog)

And finally … in the spirit of world peace, here is an African carol from Staples High School’s Candlelight Concert. It’s from 2010 — but it never gets old.