Paulie Veneto is not your ordinary former flight attendant.
The retiree — who was working on September 11, 2001 — is honoring the memory of his colleagues who were killed that day by pushing a beverage cart 210 miles from Boston to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at Ground Zero in New York.
This is the 4th tribute walk for “Paulie’s Push,” fourth tribute walk. to raise awareness of their heroism in the face of unimaginable danger.
Once again yesterday, the Westport Fire Department offered a welcome pit stop for lunch and hospitality, at their Post Road East headquarters.
“It’s a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that defined those tragic events” — and a fitting way to honor Paulie too — officials say.
Paulie Veneto (center), Fire Chief Nick Marsan (far right), and Westport firefighter, at headquarters yesterday.
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Matthew Torres — the longtime Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rat swim team member — finished 5th in the 400 meter freestyle yesterday, at the 2024 Paralympic Summer Games in Paris.
He was clocked at 4:32.25. The winner, Alberto Amodeo of Italy, finished in 4:23.27.
This is the 2nd time on the world stage for the 23-year-old Ansonia resident. He finished 3rd in the 400 meter freestyle at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
Matthew was born with amniotic band syndrome. He is missing half his right leg, and has deformities on both hands and moderate hearing loss.
Despite those challenges, he has achieved great success. He set a world record in the 1500 meter freestyle, to go along with many medals in international competition.
He’s got another chance for gold on Friday, in the 100 meter free.
Then it’s off to Sardinia, Italy, where Matthew will represent the US in the international Open Water Cup.
Matthew Torres
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Congressman Jim Himes is the speaker at the Friday, September 13 meeting of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club.
Now in his 8th term, Himes is ranking member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and serves on the Financial Services Committee. He will discuss the work of both committees.
The public is invited. But you have to get up early: The meeting at Green’s Farms Congregational Church begins at 7:30 .m. Coffee, bagels and muffins are served, starting at 7. Rep. Himes will begin around 8.
Attendees should RSVP at info@WestportSunriseRotary.org.
Congressman Jim Himes
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Club203 — Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities — opened its 2024-2025 season with an “Aloha” gathering last night, at Sherwood Island State Park.
It was a picture-perfect night. Friends were elated to see each other again, after summer break.
They danced and limboed the night away, while enjoying snacks, drinks and desserts, courtesy of Alina’s Bakery.
Fun art projects were also part of the evening, thanks to MoCA CT.
Club203’s next event is October 16: Halloween bingo, at the Senior Center. Click here for more information.
Club203 last night, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo courtesy of Stacie Curran)
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A novel set in Venezuela is the Westport Library’s 2024 Prize for Literature award winner.
“Freedom is a Feast” — Alejandro Puyana’s debut, a multigenerational tale of love and revolution — earned the author a $10,000 cash prize.
In addition, he’ll be honored at the Library on Saturday, September 21, between 1 and 2 p.m., as part of StoryFest.
Puyana will be in great company. The annual literary festival’s lineup of authors includes Roxane Gay, Christopher Golden, Claire Messud, Peng Shepherd, and Joyce Carol Oates. (Click here for the full list.)
“I’m extremely honored,” Puyana says. “Venezuela is going through a rough time right now, with people out on the streets fighting for freedom and democracy. It means so much to have this Venezuelan story highlighted, at a time when we need voices everywhere to stand with us.
The Westport Prize for Literature is awarded annually for an original work of fiction that explores issues in contemporary society.
The other finalists for this year’s honor were “How to Read a Book” by Monica Wood, and “skin & bones “by Renée Watson.
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BMWs and K9s might not often go together.
But Staples High School graduates Ben Gault and Alex Angus are partnering with BMW of Bridgeport, on a special car show. The September 15 “Cars & Coffee” event (Sherwood Island State Park, 8 to 10 a.m.) benefits the Westport Police K9 unit.
The idea began several years ago, when Alex raised $17,000 with a similar show for Fairfield’s K9 group.
There’s a DJ, and free coffee from Jack’s of Westport (in the former Shearwater space). Local businesses — some automotive-related, some not — are also involved.
Collectors, families, kids — and everyone else — is invited. Youngsters will enjoy seeing a big Gault oil tanker.
All proceeds go to food, care and support for the Westport K9 dogs and officers.
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The Westport Senior Center celebrates “The Power of Connections” at its new outdoor sanctuary on Tuesday, September 17 (1:30 p.m.).
The landscape, pollinator and greenspace project will be dedicated to the late Irma and Joe Schachter. Funds were provided by Connecticut’s ARPA Grants for Senior Centers.
The event is part of National Senior Center Month — and includes treats from Skip’s Ice Cream Truck.
Senior Center outdoor sanctuary.
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Westport Police made no custodial arrests between August 28 and September 4.
They issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 10 citations
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 6
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 6
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 6
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
- Improper use of markers: 3
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
- Texting while driving, 2nd offense: 1
- Texting while driving: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to grant right of way: 1
- Improper turn signal: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
- Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without tint inspection: 1
Any vehicle with an after-factory tint must get it tested, to receive a tint compliance sticker.
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Rebecca Rose is The Westport Book Shop’s exhibitor for the month of September.
She’s showing watereolors she created for a new children’s book, “In the Beginning! A Love Story, written by Westporter Michael Hendricks.
Rebecca and Michael will both be at a reception and book signing this Sunday (September 8, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Westport Book Shop, 23 Jesup Road.
Rebecca Ross, at the Westport Book Shop.
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Just when we think we’ve seen all the spotted lanternfly photos we can handle … here comes a different view.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows the underside of the pest.
Ugh is right.
(Photo/Marvin Frimmer)
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And finally … on this date in 1836, Sam Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas.
Nearly 200 years later, most of us have forgotten Sam. But we haven’t forgotten another Houston:
(From the Paralympics to Congress, “06880” has you covered. If there’s a Westport connection, we’ll find it. Now, we hope you find a few seconds to click here, and support our work. Thanks!
I want thank Paulie and our wonderful fire department as Alway they are great walking with Paulie and our patrol officers who were with in Westport thanks all Paulie we have all of flight attendants in our minds