
Seabury Center (Photo/Rachel Halperin)

Seabury Center (Photo/Rachel Halperin)

Kings Highway North fall foliage (Photo/John Maloney)
In the wake of last month’s flooding, the Small Business Administration will provide low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits in Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield Counties.
The declaration comes in response to a request Governor Lamont submitted to the SBA immediately after assessments conducted by SBA, state, and local officials determined that the damage from the storm exceeds the criteria necessary to qualify.
Specifically, the loans cover:

Businesses like The Visual Brand that were damaged in the September 13 flood, as well as homeowners and renters, can apply for Small Business Administration loans.
The application deadline for physical damage loans is December 1. The application deadline for economic injury loans is July 2, 2027. To apply:
In-person: A temporary, in-person outreach center will open at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center at 999 Broad Street in Bridgeport beginning tomorrow (October 7).
It will operate Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adjusted hours include 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 9, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 20 and 21. It will be closed October 12, and close permanently after October 21.
Online: The MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov allows applicants to apply online, view loan details, check balances, make payments and access statements.
For further assistance, email disastercustomerservice@sba.
Peak foliage is still a couple of weeks away. The air is not yet autumn crisp.
But we’ve been treated to a great fall so far.
John Maloney was one of many Westporters out this weekend, soaking in the scenery.
He brought his camera. Here are a few shots, to remind us of the beauty that surrounds us.
And for our ex-pats, living now in places where nature does not put on a show like this: Enjoy New England, vicariously.

Saugatuck River, west bank.

Outside Bartaco.

One view of the Library Riverwalk …

… and a close-up …

… and another.

Parker Harding Plaza.

Saugatuck River. (All photos/John Maloney)
Love conquers all, at VFW Post 399!
The nor’easter washed out Jan Pucci and Lew Pennell’s outdoor wedding, at Sherwood Island State Park.
But the VFW — Westport’s great veterans’ club and multi-purpose community center — happily hosted the couple’s big event Saturday.
It was a very appropriate venue.
Jan is an avid member of the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s popular Aqua Fitness classes — taught by VFW senior vice president Patty Kondub, and Auxiliary president Joan Evon.
And Lew is a Navy veteran.
Making this a true Westport affair: Andrew Colabella — American Legion Post 63 leader, Representative Town Meeting member and a justice of the peace — served as the officiant.
“06880” joins the VFW in wishing clear skies and smooth sailing to the newlyweds.

Newlyweds Lew Pennell and Jan Pucci, with officiant Andrew Colabella.
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Speaking of the nor’easter: Eversource made good progress last night, addressing outages.
At 6 a.m. today, 49 Westport customers remained without power. That’s 0.38% of the town.
Weston reported only 9 outages (0.23%).
Statewide, 2,728 customers still had no electricity. That’s 0.21%.
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United Nations Day is October 24. Westport has always hosted an event that day, honoring the founding of that international body.
This year, the date is October 6 (7 p.m.; reception at 6 p.m.). That’s when a high-level diplomat comes to the Westport Library.
The UN Secretary-General’s representative in Washington, William Davis, will speak “The United Nations’ Path Forward in a World in Crisis.” The public is invited to attend and admission is free. Click here to register.
The event is part of the Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Lecture Series, sponsored by the United Nations Association of Southwestern CT (unaswct.org) in cooperation with The Westport Library.
Davis represents the UN Secretary-General and Secretariat to US policymakers, civil society, the news media and broader public. He has a deep understanding of the complex relationship between the US and the United Nations system.
Throughout his career, Davis has championed international cooperation and public engagement with the multilateral system, forging trusted relationships across governments, international organizations, academia, civil society and the media.

William Davis
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Good news from Westport’s sister city of Lyman.
Ukrainian troops have pushed back about 9 kilometers against Russian invaders.
They’ve taken 200 square kilometers in the last 10 days, in the Donetsk oblast (province).
Of course, the town still needs our help.
To donate to Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground non-profit co-founded by Westporters Marshall and Brian Mayer — click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)

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Year after year, more and more parents pick up their elementary school students. Fewer and fewer ride the bus.
The numbers grew especially rapidly after both COVID, and the change to a later school start time.
It’s impossible, many parents say, for youngsters who take the bus to get home in time for their after-school activities.
We don’t know how Susan Garment got home, when she was a Westport kid. But she’s an adult now, and was struck by the daily afternoon scene on Post Road West, near Kings Highway School.

Not far away, this was this scene on Sylvan Road North, at Pierrepont School.

(Photos/Susan Garment)
Of course, every parent has to drive their kid there and back (or carpool).
The private school does not offer bus service.
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We’ve posted plenty of storm shots recently.
Ginormous waves, impassable roads, flooded yards — you name it, we saw it.
Here’s one more image from the weekend, as our “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.
You can’t really tell there’s a nor’easter.
But nature’s creatures gonna do what they do best: figure stuff out.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … well, it wasn’t Sherwood Island.
It wasn’t a chapel either.
But Jan Lucci and Lew Pennell pulled off a great wedding on Saturday, despite plenty of, um, headwinds.
Congrats!
(And finally … as we start a new week, with hopefully a lot less weather to report, we’d like to remind you: We’ve been working like dogs to cover this stuff. Please click here to support us. Thank you!)
Closing the book on the nor’easter of 2026:

Laddie Lawrence Track, at Staples High School (Photo/Jeff Mitchell)

You could actually dive, at the dive bar (Photo/Spencer Cammeyer)

Compo Beach, near Schlaet’s Point (Photo/Michael Szeto)

Compo Beach neighborhood (Photo/Michael Szeto)

Winslow Park (Photo/Mark Mathias)
Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day, Restaurants, Staples HS, Weather
Tagged Black Duck Cafe, Winslow Park
Nor’easter update:
As of 7 a.m., 262 Westport customers were without power — 2% of the town.
The situation was worse in Weston: 547 customers were out, or 13.9%.
Statewide, 28,306 customers lacked service. That’s 2.1% statewide.
With significant storm impacts expected to continue through today, Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department has closed all town parks, athletic fields, beaches and racquet facilities.
Staff will assess conditions, and provide an update regarding Monday operations.
Residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. Remain alert for downed trees, falling branches, flooding and potential power outages.
Do not drive through flooded roadways, or drive around barricades or road closures. Barricades are in place for your safety. Turn around and use an alternate route.
For additional storm information and preparedness guidance, click here.

One reason Compo Beach will remain closed today. (Photo/Eric Bosch)
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Meanwhile: It’s tough to see in this photo, but there was one surfer on Long Island Sound yesterday afternoon.

(Photo/Shelley Lowenstein)
Let’s hope he made it to shore safely.
And did not endanger any rescuers in the process.
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Congratulations to this year’s inductees in the Staples High School football program’s Wall of Fame.
Honored earlier this season were:
Ryan Bohling: In 2004 and ’05 as a running back, he helped lead Staples to 2 state championship. A 2-time All-FCIAC pick, he was a 4-year varsity player at Middlebury College. He now lives in Westchester County with his wife and 2 sons.

Ryan Bohling
Scott Clukies; Co-captain of the 1996 team that posted the first winning season in 12 yeas; 2-year All-FCIAC pick, playing fullback and outside linebacker. After playing at Bates College, Scott now lives in London with his wife and 2 daughters.

Scott Clukies
Doron Stember: Co-captain of the 1991 team; running back and special teams star; Block “S” MVP. Doron played at Tufts University, and is a urologist. He livs in New York with his family.
Bill Kashetta: One of the greatest athletes in Staples history (football, basketball, baseball). First team All-State in football; earned a Division I scholarship to the University of Idaho. A stalwart Staples sports fan who died in 2020, his 2ons David and Daniel also played for the Wreckers.

Bill Kashetta
Jack McFarland: Joined the football staff in 1994; with coach Marce Petroccio, their teams won 3 state championships and 5 FCIAC titles. As head baseball coach since 2005, he has won 3 state and 4 FCIAC crowns. A grade level assistant at Staples, he lives in Monroe with his wife and 4 daughters.

Jack McFarland
Jesse McCray: Joined the football staff in 1993; with coach Marce Petroccio, their teams won 3 state championships and 5 FCIAC titles. Now the head girls track and field coach, his teams have won 3 state and 4 FCIAC championships. A grate level assistant at Staples, he lives in Hamden with his wife and 2 sons.

Jesse McCray
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Save the date: CraftWestport returns to the Staples High School fieldhouse November 7 and 8.
Over 165 artists and makers will be there, for “handmade holiday shopping.”
It’s a major fundraiser for the Women’s League of Westport, which provides financial support to area non-profits.

One of over 165 booths at CraftWestport.
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Longtime Westport resident Fausto Carusone died peacefully. surrounded by his family. He was 78.
Born in Italy, in 1969 he married Stefana.
For more than 30 years, Fausto was a Connecticut state marshal. He was respected for his strong work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to public service.
He is survived by his sons Salvatore (Sarah), Fausto Jr. (Rachel) and Steven (Athena), and grandchildren Madeline, Eugenio, Lia, Isa and Christian.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday (September 30, 10 a.m., Assumption Church). Entombment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday (September 29, 4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home).
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Fausto Carusone
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Many Westporters hunkered down in yesterday’s storm.
Diane Lowman was out — and spotted this creature by the Cribari Bridge, posing for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Diane Lowman)
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And finally … on this date in 1825, the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives — the Stockton and Darlington — was opened. The engine “Locomotion” pulled wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon to Darlington to Stockton.
(What’s easier than learning your ABCs? Clicking here, to support “06880.” Thank you! PS: Let’s make a chain now …)
Town officials have issued this update:
Conditions are expected to intensify overnight, with stronger winds, periods of heavy rain and continued coastal flooding.
Another high tide is expected around midnight tonight. Residents in low-lying and coastal areas should remain alert for flooding. Moderate coastal flooding is also expected around Sunday’s noon high tide.
With saturated ground and winds increasing overnight, downed trees, limbs and power lines are possible.
Please avoid unnecessary travel overnight. Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Treat all downed wires as live and stay well away.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve Sunday afternoon. Please continue to monitor official town updates.
