There are many ways to mark the holiday season in Westport.
The lighting of the tree in front of Town Hall is a great one.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker did the honors a few minutes ago. She was joined by her father and daughter, the Staples Orphenians, a gaggle of kids, and plenty of Westporters who are glad that — after a COVID-induced year off — this hometown tradition is back.
The Orphenians sang holiday tunes …
… former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe wheeled his grandson Charlie …
… his successor Jen Tooker led the countdown …
… and the 2021 holiday tree was lit. (Photos/Dan Woog)
Someone direct the newly elected Marpe administration to the Cribari Bridge so that they may see what colorful lights are and how they bring joy to all who go to see them. There may still be time to counteract the antiseptic whiteness of this tree. Al and his Angels may even be available for consultation and to add color to Town Hall.
Um, Dave — the Marpe administration has retired. It’s now the Tooker administration.
Good idea. But why is it called the “Cribari” bridge? Isn’t it the traditional to use all three names, if available? Just asking.
Sure, there’s the George Washington Bridge and the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. But there’s also the Sikorsky Bridge.
Full names for highways and bridges are mainly ceremonial. The part of I-95 where I live is named “The Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway” but nobody calls it that. The William F. Cribari Jr. Bridge in Saugatuck was obviously not a name you would use everyday. Fortunately just calling it the Cribari Bridge keeps the name in use to honor the policeman that everyone liked. Similarly “The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge” should just be called the Steinkraus Bridge, tho most people know it as the Post Road Bridge.
We always called it Bill’s bridge.