As Ukraine’s war against Russia nears its 4th year, Gray McGuinness sends harrowing news about Westport’s sister city, Lyman.
The town in the Donetsk region has been covered by drones. The unmanned aerial vehicles use a thin, physical fiber optic cable instead of radio waves for control and data, making them immune to electronic jamming and interference. (Click here for a video.)
Gray writes, “Lyman is now under constant attack by air and land, and has been partially occupied by the Russian army.”
Westporters can help. Ukraine Aid International — founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — is a boots-on-the-ground non-profit that ensures donations go directly Lyman.
Click here to contribute. Then click the “I want to support” box; select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.
Fiber-optic cables blanket Ukraine.
================================================
Singing and strolling through Saugatuck on Saturday, 8 Staples Orphenians serenaded diners at 14 restaurants with holiday songs.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “Caroling Crawl” brought smiles — and applause — from patrons at The Boathouse, The Bridge, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Tutti’s, The Black Duck, Tarantino, Blu Olive, Romanacci, Riko’s Pizza, Zucca Gastrobar, Rizzuto’s, Viva Zapata, and Little Pub @ Dunville’s.
Staples Orphenians: a menu special on Saturday night.
==================================================
To a national audience, Craig Melvin is co-anchor of the “Today Show.” To members of Green’s Farms Congregational Church, he is a fellow parishioner.
Those 2 roles merged last week. Melvin spoke with Rev. Jeff Rider in the meetinghouse about navigating the stressed an joys of the holiday season.
Their chat covered everything from life’s strains to how faith speaks to hope and new life.
It wasn’t a private conversation. The “Today Show” aired it this morning — and will rebroadcast it on Friday. A great way to celebrate Boxing Day!
Rev. Jeff Rider and Craig Melvin, at Green’s Farms Church.
==================================================
You may not have gotten the Westport Transit District anything for the holidays.
But they have a gift for you.
From December 26 through the December 31, they’re offering free Wheels2U rides.
The on-demand, shared shuttle service takes riders door-to-train (and vice versa), at the Saugatuck and Greens Farms stations.
But it can also be used by people of all ages to go downtown, with drop-offs and pickups at Jesup Green.
Hours are:
- Mondays through Fridays (train station): 5:30 to 10:30 a.m., 4 to 9:30 p.m.
- Tuesdays through Thursdays (Jesup Green/Library Senior Center): 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Just download the Wheels2U Westport app, to request a pickup about 20 minutes before you need to leave. To learn more, click here.
==================================================
The First Amendment and the importance of a free, independent press are topics for the first “Nancy on Norwalk” talk (January 20, 7 p.m., Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts).
Attendees will hear from 2 people deeply involved in the subject: Westporter Alisyn Camerota, a 2-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and author formerly with CNN and Fox News, and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, who oversees elections and civic processes across Connecticut.
Click here to RSVP. Registrants will have a chance to receive a signed copy of Camerota’s most recent book, “Combat Love.”
Aliysn Camerota
=================================================
We’ve posted plenty of photos of entitled parkers in large vehicles.
And plenty of drivers who park as closetothebuilding as possible.
Today, we feature one guy — it has to be a male — who combined both, at Whole Foods.
And no, there was no one in the driver’s seat.
==================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image highlights Sherwood Island State Park.
There may not be many people there this time of year — especially at dawn — but sunrises are magnificent.
(Photo/John Richers)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of Wheels2U’s upcoming holiday gift — and with a tip of Santa’s hat to onetime Westporters Edgar Winter and Dan Hartman:
(You may enjoy a free ride. And you may think “06880” is free. But we rely on the support of readers like you. Please click here to send a few bucks our way. Thank you — and happy holidays!
