In the wake of the Board of Education’s 4-2 vote against keeping the Westport Community Gardens at their present Long Lots Elementary School location, Republican BOE candidates Jamie Fitzgerald and Camilo Riano issued this statement:
“If we were seated members of the Board of Education, we each would have supported the amended motion regarding the preservation of the community gardens that was defeated 4-2 on Thursday, October 19. We believe Board of Education members have an obligation to take a holistic view of all decisions and the impact they have on all Westport constituents.”
==================================================
On Thursday, a Westport resident placed a lone Israel flag on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
On Friday, it was replaced by dozens of flags, of a wide variety of nations.
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
Nothing nefarious was going on. The town of Westport was not trying to make a political statement.
The flags of world nations go up every year at this time, on the span named for the Westporter who spent her life volunteering for the United Nations (and started our town’s jUNe Day welcoming tradition, over 50 years ago).
The flags go up twice a year: on jUNe Day in the summer, and for UN Day. The holiday marking the founding of the organization is Tuesday.
Back to Israel: Today’s candlelight vigil supporting safe return of the hostages taken by Hamas is tonight (Sunday), 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Jesup Green. Attendees are asked to bring real or electric candles (in case of wind).
=================================================
Matthew Van Gessel returned to the Westport stage last night.
As he did throughout his Staples Players career, the 2011 graduate played a psychologically fraught character, with outstanding depth and nuance.
Van Gessel was one half of the cast of “Gentle Hacksaw.” The drama — combining religion, identity and violence — had its world premier staged reading as part of the Westport Library’s 6th annual StoryFest.
The event continues today (Sunday) with a TeachRock Workshop, Pink or Treat Halloween parade with children’s author Victoria Kann, and pitchfest for authors. Click here for details.
Matthew Van Gessel (left) and Ahmad Maksoud on the Westport Library stage. (Photo/Dan Woog)
==================================================
The Saugatuck River is usually pretty mellow.
Yesterday morning though, Michael Mossman spotted the Kraken, not far from shore:
(Photo/Michael Mossman)
==================================================
This weekend was Staples High’s Homecoming.
Kimberly Paris — whose “Signs of Happiness” often supports school events — offered this:
PS: Despite the weather, Homecoming was a success. The Wrecker football team beat Stamford, 21-10.
==================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes courtesy of Betsy Amitin. She writes:
“With so many atrocities all over the news, I am trying to shift my focus to notice sweet spot small moments that give me comfort or joy throughout the day.
“Looking out my kitchen window on yet another soggy fall day, I noticed this squirrel had found shelter from the downpour underneath our outdoor table umbrella. It cracked me up.
“It stood there a while, seeming as though it too was taking a quick break from the heaviness surrounding it.”
(Photo/Betsy Amitin)
==================================================
And finally … speaking of the Kraken (story above):
(The Kraken may be a myth. But “06880” is very real. So is our reliance on readers’ support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)