The League of Women Voters welcomed Westport’s registrars of voters — Democrat Deb Greenberg and Republican Marie Signore — for post-election coffee yesterday, at VFW Post 399.
The registrars said that nearly 65% of eligible Westporters voted in last week’s election The statewide average was 57%.
They noted an increase in young voters, and hailed the efforts of Staples High School students — many of them not yet eligible to cast ballots — for their work at the polls.
“We have amazing poll workers,” Greenberg said. “The first things we do after an election are thank them, and pay them.”
Connecticut LWV president Laura Smith said that for registrars everywhere, Election Day is long, but satisfying and worthwhile.
Smith also hailed the voting process in Connecticut. “It’s safe and secure,” she said. “There are so many checks and balances.”
Though it may mean more work for registrars, there was praise that a ballot measure to allow the General Assembly to provide for early voting passed, by about a 60-40 margin.
If legislators approve, details like where exactly to vote, and for how long, would be ironed on. Connecticut is one of only 4 states — with Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire — to not provide early voting.
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The Westport Police have released arrest reports for November 9-16.
Six people were detained in custody.
One had many counts: larceny, 1st degree; conspiracy to commit larceny; forgery; conspiracy to commit forgery; telephone fraud; conspiracy to commit telephone fraud; criminal impersonation; conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation; illegal use of credit card; conspiracy to commit illegal use of credit card; fraudulent use of automated teller machine; conspiracy to commit fraudulent use of automated teller machine; identity theft; conspiracy to commit identity theft. and failure to appear.
An accomplice was charged with larceny 4th degree; forgery; telephone fraud; illegal use of credit card; criminal impersonation; fraudulent use of automated teller machine; identity theft — and conspiracy to commit all those acts.
There was one arrest for identity theft; receipt of money, goods, services by illegal credit card use; larceny, 2nd degree; forgery, and criminal impersonation.
One person was arrested for possession of controlled substance (narcotics); drug paraphernalia; tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and interfering with an officer/simple assault.
One person was charged with 2 counts of both larceny, 6th degree, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
One person was charged with violation of a restraining order (threatening).
The following citations were issued:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 9 citations
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
- Stop signal violation: 2
- Insurance fails to meet minimum requirements: 2
- Failure to grant right of way; 1
- Stop sign violation: 1
- Failure to obey control signal: 1
- Failure to keep plates readable: 1
- Improper passing: 1
- Simple trespass: 1
- Public disturbance: 1
- Breach of peace: 1.
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Arline Gertzoff was a proud 1964 Staples High School graduate. After her death this fall, Staples Tuition Grants has created an award in her honor.
STG encourages Arline’s many friends — from her work with the jUNe Day United Nations hospitality committee, to the Representative Town Meeting and local politics — to donate in Arline’s honor. Click here for that link; click here to learn more about Arline.
Staples Tuition Grants provides over $400,000 a year, to over 100 graduating seniors and alumni already in college. Click here to learn more about STG.
Arline Gertzoff
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The long Thanksgiving weekend will be filled with activities at Earthplace. They’re perfect for visiting relatives and friends (and everyone else).
Two miles of trails are open from dawn to dusk. Walk off your Thanksgiving turkey — or see one in the wild. The 62-acre wildlife sanctuary includes fields, forests, ponds and a stream. Some trails are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Click here for a trail map.
“Saturdays at Earthplace”: Explore the sanctuary, create art, climb trees, identify flora and fauna, get dirty, catch bugs and enjoy the great outdoors. All ages. Click here for details.
Family campfire (Saturday, November 26, 1:30 to 3 p.m.). A guided activity with s’mores and animals. Click here for details.
“Story and Animal Program” runs Mondays through Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. For children 5 and under. Click here for details.
Birds of prey feeding takes place daily at 11 a.m. Learn about diets, behavior and care. Click here for details.
Earthplace also offers holiday shopping (reusable water bottles and travel straws, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, stuffed animals, books, honey and more), and science box kits with themes like acids and bases, birds, ecosystems, plants, pollution and polymer ($35 per box; call 203-557-4400 or email info@earthplace.org).
One of Earthplace’s many trails. (Photo/Rowene Weems)
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The New York Post does not often cover high culture.
But the tabloid takes note of Beechwood’s Arts & Innovation Series — as well as Beechwood itself.
The Weston Road home of internationally renowned pianist Frederic Chiu and his wife, artist Jeanine Esposito, is on the market for $2.59 million. Built in 1806, the magnificent 7-bedroom home on 2.63 acres has been the site of a decades-long series of events, bringing together creative people from the worlds of music, art, dance, design, food and more.
The Post recounts some of Beechwood’s history too, from visits by Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Frederick Law Olmsted (and possibly Buffalo Bill and Rock Hudson).
Click here for the full New York Post story. Click here for the real estate listing.
Beechwood
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The Staples High School girls soccer team is getting ready to defend their state championship.
The Wreckers got 3 goals from the Chudowsky sisters — 2 by Natalie, 1 from Evelyn — to shut out Glastonbury 3-0 last night, at Naugatuck High. Staples was ranked 3rd in the state “LL” (extra large school) tournament. The Titans were 2nd.
This Saturday or Sunday (day and time TBD) at Trinity Health (formerly Dillon) Stadium in Hartford, coach Barry Beattie’s squad will face top-rated Cheshire. They edged Ridgefield 2-1 in the other semifinal.
Last year the Wreckers and Ridgefield shared the title, after tying 0-0 through 80 minutes of regulation play, and 30 minutes of overtime.
This year, one team will definitely win. State tourney rules have been changed, adding penalty kicks to decide a winner instead of co-champions.
The Staples girls soccer team. (Photo/JC Martin courtesy of Westport Local Press)
In other Staples sports news, sophomore Annam Olasewere broke 2 state records in the girls swimming state meet.
Her 1:47.86 finish at 200 meters smashed a 17-year-old mark. Annam then busted her own record by .26 seconds in the 100 freestyle with a 49.88 time.
Overall, the Wreckers finished 5th, with 431 points. Ridgefield won the team title, with 761.
Annam Olasawere
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Greens Farms Academy’s new theater director Kellie Comer is getting ready for her first musical there.
The Upper School’s “The Lightning Thief” opens tonight (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.). Shows continue tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30, with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $5 at the door. Click here to read more about the show, and its director.
Kellie Comer (Photo courtesy of GFA Dragon Digest)
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Fitness studios are not often known for the art on their walls. But TAP Strength is not your average health-and-wellness spot.
The downtown space was filled last night for an art show. Miggs Burroughs, Bonnie Edelman and Alex Silver displayed their work.
Today at TAP, it’s back to working out.
Ola Bassio (left) ws the model for artist Miggs’ Burroughs sign-language work. (Photo/dan Woog)
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Also last night: The Conservative Synagogue‘s Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn and his wife Riki were feted by the New York Board of Rabbis. The couple received a 2022 Humanitarian of the Year Award, at the Pierre Hotel.
A former president of the board, Rabbi Wiederhorn’s most recent humanitarian effort was delivering clothing, food and other aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland, in the early days of Ukraine’s war with Russia.
The rabbi and his wife were in good company last night. Former US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer received the same Humanitarian of the Year honor.
Rabbi Jeremy and Riki Wiederhorn, at last night’s awards ceremony. (Photo/Avi Kaner)
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Neither Matt Murray nor I know what kind of bird this is.
But we’re sure “06880” readers can identify today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, taken on Hillspoint Road.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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And finally … in honor of today’s Great American Smokeout:
(If you enjoy our daily Roundup, please consider contributing to “06880.” Click here to help.)
Bird, schmird. Isn’t that one of those mechanical birds sent by the government to spy on us humans down here? Or so, Elon is talking about, these days.
I think it’s red-tailed hawk.
Yes. It is a red-tailed hawk.
I thought maybe an eaglet. Thanks for the clarity!
Dan, Thanks so much for coming by TAP last night. It was great to see you.