Chuck Haberstroh writes:
“If you lived in Westport between 1990 and 2010 and had kids, you knew the Driscolls.
“Frank coached football at the youth and high school levels. Pam raised their 3 kids: Tara (Staples High School Class of 1998), Brienne (SHS ’00) and Frisk (’05).
“Pam’s house was open not just to her kids’ close friends, but the entire community. She always treated each guest like they were family.
“Tara, Brienne and Frisk were all stellar athletes. They also volunteered their time coaching and working in the community.
“Tara worked at Staples High School as a teacher (she is now at Stamford High School). Brie mentored dozens of young men and women through some of their toughest times. Frisk coached the Staples swim team to some of their most successful season.
“They’ve given so much to our community. They were, are, and always will be what makes Westport, Westport.
“Like so many others, I would not be who I am without the care and guidance of the entire Driscoll family.
“Now it’s our turn to support them.
“Tara (last name now Karlson) lives in Redding with her husband Scott and children, Brien (11) and Kelly (9).
“In the middle of the night on Valentine’s Day, a fire ripped through their home as they slept. All 4 were hospitalized.
“Brien — the strong-willed fighter of the family, a lover of people and animals — suffered life-threatening injuries. After giving all he had, he died February 15.
“Tara and Scott are now experiencing every parent’s worst nightmare. Kelly lost a best friend and only sibling.
“While they work to recover from this unimaginable tragedy, they will need our help.
“We ask everyone to lift them in thoughts and prayers. We also hope people consider donating to the family’s recovery fund. Please click here for the GoFundMe link.
“For questions, or donations of larger physical items, email KarlsonFamilyFund@gmail.com.”
Brien Karlson
=====================================================
Westporters and Westonites will pay slightly more for summer-long access to Westport beaches — and residents outside of those towns substantially less — if a decision by the Parks & Recreation Commission is approved by the Board of Selectwomen.
On Wednesday night, the board voted 4-0 to:
- Raise the fee for an annual beach sticker for Westport residents from $50 to $60 ($30 for seniors and disabled residents, up from $25).
- Raise the fee for Weston residents to $415 from $375 ($220 for Weston seniors, up from $200).
- Lower the fee for “non-residents” to $545, from $775. The number of those stickers sold will rise to 450, from the current limit of 350.
Debate over the new fee structure did not include any references to a proposal in the Connecticut General Assembly to limit the fees any municipality can charge for town-owned beach parking to not more than twice the fees charged to residents.
Parks & Rec director Jennifer Fava said this would be the first change to the fee structure in 6 years.
Beach stickers are cheaper for Westporters than non-residents. (Photo/Mark Marcus)
=======================================================
Peter Reid plays 2 important roles: Westport animal control officer, and intake director for Weston’s Wildlife in Crisis.
On Monday — in his WIC role — he freed a buck from climbing netting draped between trees in a Weston back yard.
On Wednesday, wearing his Westport animal control cap, he was called by a Long Lots area resident about a vulture ensnared in soccer netting.
With a vulture clan circled overhead, Reid cut him free and brought him to Wildlife in Crisis. The raptor suffered severe talon abrasions, but will be okay. He is resting with skilled caretakers, and will be released when fully recovered.
These are the most recent incidents demonstrating the hazards that netting-type structures in yards and around town present to wildlife.
Julie Loparo — president of Westport Animal Shelter Advocates, who passed along these stories — says, “residents should be aware of such hazards and, whenever possible, remove them or flatten them when not in use.”
Vulture trapped in soccer netting.
=====================================================
School buses — and drivers attempting to pass them — are a long-running Westport issue. “06880” posts frequent items about it.
On Wednesday, Bob Weingarten was driving in the Old Hill neighborhood. He saw one bus driver’s creative solution.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
It was not a mistake. The driver made the same maneuver later.
A smart safety move? Or a bit too smart-ass? Click “Comments” below.
=====================================================
February 23 is Fairfield County Giving Day.
Friends of Sherwood Island State Park seek donations to buy beach grass, native plants and trees. They will:
- Build and stabilize dunes by trapping wind-blown sand
- Help the beach resist erosion during coastal storms and full moon high tides
- Provide habitat for migrating birds, butterflies and dragonflies
- Offer meeting places to resident birds like killdeer and mockingbirds
- Provide visitors with shaded picnic areas along the beach,
Click here for the link for Giving Day on February 23.
Sherwood Island State Park dune. (Photo/Neal Radding)
======================================================
Presented without any commentary, political or otherwise: a photo of a balloon, floating yesterday in Long Island Sound off Compo Beach.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
======================================================
Bruce Salvo died last fall. But there was no obituary for the longtime Westport resident, noted architect and avid Westport Weston Family YMCA member.
Vanessa Costanzo offers this remembrance:
Bruce Salvo was a longtime family friend.
He was so kind to my kids and animals. Bruce often dog sat or cat sat for me. and for friends as well. He always sent pictures to us to let us know how they were.
Bruce spent several holidays with our family. He was always gracious and kind. He valued those close friendships, and went out of his way to help in any way.
A few times a year, Bruce dropped off flowers from his beautiful garden in a bud vase. He was an incredible gardener, and took great pride in his garden (which was absolute perfection).
As an architect, Bruce helped us with work we were doing on our house any time we asked. He would come by, and we would talk at length about the highs and lows of life.
The last time I saw him he was struggling with illness, but he always inspired me by his strength, sensitivity and value of life. I am a better person, and my family and friends are better people for having him in our lives.
Bruce and his life here should be honored now and forever.
Bruce Salvo
==================================================
Every day, we’re seeing fresh signs of a “Westport … Naturally” spring.
Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted these flowers along the Library Riverwalk yesterday morning. She didn’t see any others — but we all will, soon.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
=======================================================
And finally … speaking of that balloon in Long Island Sound (and others around North America):
=======================================================
(From the woods to the beaches, “06880” covers the entire Zip Code. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
With recto the bus maneuver. I have seen this before and think it’s a great idea. Anything to keep children safe.
Great Bus solution!! ,
can’t think of a reason not to even for emergency situations.
Thank you Chuck Haberstroh for the Driscoll/Karlson story. Horrific tragedy…Regarding the school bus maneuver, good move. I can tell you first hand that it was used almost 50 years ago as well. Regarding the beach fees, lets see, raise residents rates, seniors rates, Weston rates and drop the rates for out of town stickers? Makes sense to me..Oy.
Brilliant inclusion of 99 Luftballons. I always liked this song but never knew the lyrics because of the German. But reading in English, the song seems like it could have been written this week. It is still very danceable even though it talks about the end of the world as we know it.
I have no problem with the school bus driver’s maneuver. I have a problem with the fact that he has to do it. What can be so urgent that a car driver would risk any injury to a child by blatantly ignoring the bus’ flashing red lights.
It seems that the balloon shot down with a $400k US missile over Yukon was a $13 hobby balloon from Illinois. Oops.
With regard to the photo of the balloon floating on Long Island Sound, let me say that they actually pose a serious environmental problem, killing sea turtles, whales and other animals who mistake them for food. Young sea birds suffer, too, when entangled in the curling ribbon attached to balloons. A bill that would ban the release outdoors of any helium balloons is working its way through the legislature. Here’s a brief article to find out more: https://friendsofanimals.org/what-goes-up-must-come-down/
Outstanding move by the driver
to ward off the incredibly stupid
actions of huge A-HOLE
drivers.
Bruce Salvo was always a friendly face at the Y. Thank you for sharing his story.
Lowering our “non-resident” parking fees while raising all others seems to be a semi-preemptive reaction to the bill before the General Assembly.
If the reason seaside municipalities are resisting this possible legislation is because of their limited parking, why not have a two-tier system for non-residents: Higher weekend and holiday parking fees and lower fees on weekdays. Something to consider before final approval?
Thank you Vanessa Costanzo for the lovely remembrance of Bruce. Bruce was also a man of democratic values (small d). He would call before every election or primary to make sure he would be a poll worker. You could always count on Bruce.