Posted onSeptember 19, 2024|Comments Off on Scarice Responds To “Swatting” Posts
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice says:
Last night the district received a number of “swatting” posts that were shared from social media. These messages were either shared from neighboring towns, or were messages of violent threats with no specificity, but shared among our students on social media.
We have worked with the Westport Police Department since last night and determined that there is no threat to our schools. I can assure you that our students will be safe today, and they continue to be safe in our schools.
School districts and police departments continue to be inundated with messages such as these. I ask all parents and guardians to monitor their children’s social media.
If messages such as these are received after school hours, please forward the message to the Westport Police Department. Any threatening messages received during the school day should be directed to the school administration or School Resource Officer (if at Staples).
There is no value in peer to peer forwarding of these messages. Please discourage that with your children.
Thank you for your support as we manage these matters and vigilantly work to maintain the highest levels of safety in our schools. We will continue to provide additional police presence on our campuses today.
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice
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Donna Disch — a Westport resident for 24 years — enthusiastically accepted her charge to “to elevate poetry in the consciousness of Westport residents, and to celebrate and contribute to the town’s vibrant literary history.”
A large crowd was on hand at the Westport Library. Disch succeeds Jessice Noyes McEntee, in the 2-year appointment. The ceremony was led by Westport Arts Advisory Committee c0-chair Nancy Diamond.
She’s wasting no time. Soon, she announced, a new “poetry box” will be installed near Compo Beach.
McEntee offered her own words for the town’s new laureate, noting, “Donna appears to be an innocent, a weaver of dazzling word tapestries. I sense a trickster underneath the demure surface in her poems.”
Poet laureate Donna Disch. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
Once again this month, Westport’s National Charity League joins with Circle of Care to raise awareness of childhood cancer
The groups have decorated the town in gold ribbons. In addition, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s proclamation of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month honors Circle of Care for the work they do, making a difference for families facing the disease.
Raising awareness, one street corner at a time.
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Many Westporters know about The Carver.
The Norwalk-based non-profit Carver operates 60+ before-school, after-school, summer, and community programs in all K-12 public schools in Norwalk, plus others in Bridgeport, Stamford and Naugatuck.
It’s a wonderful organization, doing great and very important work, serving almost 3,000 students. Carver programs boast a 100% on-time high school graduation, with almost all students going on as first-generation college students.
But many other Westporters don’t know The Carver at all.
On Friday, September 27 (6 p.m., Clarendon Fine Art, 22 Main Street), the Westport Carver Connection Committee is hosting a party. The goal is to introduce The Carver to residents, and expand its geographic, financial and volunteer support.
Carver students will speak, offering inspiring stories.
The event is sponsored by several local businesses, including Bird, Clarendon, LandTech, The Post and Amazing Graze.
Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between September 11 and 18.
A 49-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct, after a complaint of an assault by someone the man was dating when they tried to retrieve belongings from a residence.
Three women — a 22-year-old and a 21-year-old from Jamaica, New York, and a 21-year-old from Bushkill, New York, were charged with larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, following a report of a shoplifting from Lululemon.
While officers were en route to the business, they spotted the vehicle used on Riverside Avenue. It contained clothing with tags still affixed. The suspects were identified by witnesses.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4 citations
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Failure to comply with federal regulations of flotation devices: 1
Failure to comply with federal regulations of navigation lights: 1
Operating a boat without certification or license: 1
Illegal vessel without numbers or registration: 1
Failure to comply with dog ownership regulations: 1
No dog/cat rabies vaccination: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Driving the wrong way on a 1-way street: 1
Boats in Connecticut must be registered.
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In more police news, officers were called to TD Bank yesterday, when a man tried to pass a bad check. Eyewitnesses said he “decided to run,” before being detained.
(Photo/Robin Frank)
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Up to 20% of the population can be classified as “highly sensitive.”
Now Westport therapist Ilise Gold, Weston actor Scott Bryce and Christie Laracuente have formed a group serving the “Highly Sensitive Person” community.
On October 19 (Saugatuck Congregational Church, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Gold will host a seminar called “Connect With Me, I’m an HSP!”
The audience is HSPs, and those living or working with them. The cost is $250 per person; $225 for additional family members ages 15 and up. Click here to register.
Ilise Gold
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A black-capped chickadee makes its first-ever “06880” appearance today, as our “Westport … Naturally” feature image:
And finally … JD Souther, who wrote many hits for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, and later played a version of himself on the TV show “Nashville,” died Tuesday in New Mexico. He was 78.
(Today — as we do every day, 7/24/366 — “06880” brings you a Roundup of info chock full of news you can use, think about and enjoy. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Mimi Duvall-Sajda’s family lived through the pandemic in New York City. When their oldest child was on the cusp of middle school, with changes happening in their neighborhood and schools, they opted for a lifestyle change.
Westport offered proximity to the city, she says, “with beautiful surroundings, top-notch schools, and a tight-knit community.” They moved here in August 2022.
Mimi is a designer/artist and life coach. She is also a dog lover. She writes to “06880”:
As a still-new resident of Westport and a dedicated dog owner (we have 2 cavaliers), I realize our wonderful community is missing one crucial element: a dedicated, fully enclosed space for dogs to run and play off-leash.
It’s time for Westport to have a dog run.
I believe it would be a huge boon for several reasons.
Currently, many dog owners in Westport make do keeping our beloved canine companions on a leash, or traveling to neighboring towns with dog runs.
While some consider Winslow Park to be dog-friendly, the lack of an enclosed space for pups to run freely excludes a significant portion of the Westport canine population.
Fences have not prevented tragedies at Winslow Park. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
Dogs need to run for their health and well-being. It’s heartbreaking to see them confined to leash-walking, as owners try to avoid repeating tragedies on Compo North and Post Road ast.
An October 2022 petition made clear that at least 1,000 Westport dog owners are clamoring for a safe, enclosed dog run.
The absence of a safe, fully enclosed space not only inconveniences us as residents, but also limits our dogs’ opportunities for physical activity and socialization.
Enclosed dog run.
A dedicated dog run would provide a secure environment for exercise and socialization, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of our community.
I believe now is the time for Westport to consider the numerous advantages a designated area would bring, and take the necessary steps to make this vision a reality.
Probably the easiest, no-brained placement would be Winslow Park along Compo Road North, where the sewer work and fencing was done. The Representative Town Meeting or Parks & Recreation Department may have other ideas, however.
Winslow Park (bottom half of photo).
From a community perspective, a well-designed dog run can have positive social and economic impacts. Dog owners are more likely to frequent local establishments and outdoor spaces when they have a safe and enjoyable place to take their pets for exercise and socialization.
This increased foot traffic can benefit local businesses, and contribute to a vibrant and active community.
Moreover, a dog run can foster a stronger sense of community among dog owners. It provides a shared space where individuals with a common interest in pet ownership can come together, share experiences and build connections.
This sense of community not only benefits the dog owners themselves but also contributes to the overall social fabric of the town.
This enclosed dog run includes amenities.
Local authorities and community leaders should consider the numerous advantages a dog run would bring to Westport, and take the necessary steps to make this vision a reality. It’s time for our 4-legged residents and their dedicated owners to see a well-maintained dog run.
By providing a secure space for dogs to exercise and socialize, complete with separate areas, essential amenities and vaccination requirements, a dog run (possibly named “Winnie’s Run,” after a dog that was killed on the road) would become a valuable asset that enhances the quality of life for both dogs and their human companions.
(“06880” frequently publishes opinion pieces by local residents. It’s part of our mission as Westport’s hyper-local blog. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Last weekend was one of the most remarkable in memory.
Under spectacular late-summer skies, several organizations held important fundraisers.
The Westport Country Playhouse, Wakeman Town Farm, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services and Levitt Pavilion all threw great bashes. All depend on donors to do the amazing things they do.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Slice of Saugatuck is part fundraiser too. Each year, they donate thousands of dollars from proceeds to Homes with Hope’s food pantry.
Thousands of Westporters ate, drank, danced and were entertained at those events.
At the Levitt Pavilion, Peter Frampton came alive.
Two days earlier, the Westport Library’s biggest gala of the year, “Booked for the Evening,” was the most successful — and fun — in its 25-year history. Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Chris McKendry wowed a sellout crowd.
And this weekend, 1,500 more will head to Compo Beach. Proceeds from the Westport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest will allow that group to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars, to dozens of organizations in Fairfield County and abroad.
Parties like these make Westport a wonderful place to live. In addition to money raised, they create a sense of community. They make us smile, and feel good about ourselves, our neighbors and our town.
But none of those events happen overnight.
Each takes months of meticulous planning. From the big items — talent, food, decorations, auction items, publicity — to the smaller ones like programs, signage, tablecloths and a squintillion other details, a successful fundraiser relies on a huge pool of volunteers.
Wakeman Town Farm’s HarvestFest was fantastic. But who arranged for the singer? Figured out where he’d sing? Got the flowers, and put them there?
The overall chairs get thanked profusely. They thank their committee chairs. All deserve their kudos.
But it’s the grunt work of all the un-thanked men, women and teenagers who ace a Billie Jean King evening, help Peter Frampton sing, and feed (then clean up) 3,000 lobsters.
So to all those who worked on any of those events. Or will work this weekend. Or worked in the past, and may in the future:
Thank you. You are our unsung — but greatly appreciated — heroes of the week.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Sigrid Schultz has been remembered — belatedly — in her longtime hometown of Westport, with a parking lot named in her honor.
But there is a lot more to her story than that.
Serving as the Chicago Tribune’s Berlin bureau chief from 1926 to 1941, Schultz masked her intense loathing for the Nazis in order to cultivate contacts at the highest level of the Third Reich. Among her many accomplishments, Schultz interviewed Adolf Hitler several times. She also fearlessly cast a barb at Hermann Göring for his failed attempt to have her arrested.
She boldly covered the persecution of Jews, was one of the first to report on abuses at the German concentration camps, and was once called “Hitler’s greatest enemy.”
Yet for all her accomplishments, Schultz’s story is largely untold.
Vanessa Johnston is working on a documentary film about her. It will explore her extraordinary career, from her heady days as a young reporter covering the Weimar Republic, to her writing in secret under an alias to avoid Nazi censors, on through her anguish at seeing the Buchenwald concentration camp, then her relatively obscure life in Westport.
Tomorrow (Thursday, September 19, 7 p.m., Westport Museum for History & Culture), Johnston will preview her unfinished film. There’s a talkback with the producer, and a look at a one-night-only display of artifacts owned by Schultz.
Click here for tickets ($5 for members, $10 for non-members). Proceeds support the museum’s exhibitions, programs and research.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Joseph J. Clinton Post 399’s 51st straight monthly Red Cross Blood Drive honors lance corporal Charles Rochlin, of the Marine Corps.
The 2003 Staples High School graduate spent 7 months in Iraq. He was on leave in Westport when he died in an automobile accident.
The blood drive is this Friday (September 20, noon to 5 p.m.).
Click here for an appointment; use sponsor code VFWWESTPORT. You can also call 800-733-2767.
CraftWestport returns to the Staples High School fieldhouse November 2-3. Over 175 vendors kick off the holiday shopping season, with thousands of products in mediums like ceramics, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, glass art and more.
Plus food items like bourbon-barrel aged maple syrup, hand-painted chocolates, teas, honey, cheese spreads, curds, baked goods, and skincare products, soaps, candles, etc.
All-weekend admission is $11; seniors $10, children 12-18 $5, children under 12 are free. Click here for more details. CraftWestport is presented by the Westport Young Woman’s League.
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The one good thing that has come out of the death of Rachel Doran — the 2015 Staples High School graduate who died just before her senior year at Cornell University after a rare reaction to common medication — is Rach’s Hope.
The non-profit provides nutritious food, lodging, transportation and encouragement to family members when a child is in intensive care.
Well, there’s one other good thing: community participating in “Walk the Extra Mile … for Rach’s Hope.”
The 4th annual event is Sunday, October 6 (Compo Beach Ned Dimes Marina, 3 p.m.).
The day includes community spirit, fresh air, a fun beach walk, live music by Ellis Island Acoustic, the Pizza Pie Wagon truck, wine and beer courtesy of Greens Farms Spirit Shop, and Rach’s signature black and white cookies.
All are welcome. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Rachel Doran
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A clarification on yesterday’s Roundup post about CLASP’s “Music Through the Decades” benefit (October 18, Fairfield Theatre Company).
Band Central — the great entertainment — is not “the CLASP house group.”
Band Central is made up of very talented professional musicians. At different times, members have played with very high-powered groups — including the Rolling Stones.
Band Central was created to unite a community of non-profits, musicians, donors, and audience members through themed music concerts. They’ve raised $6 million for over 60 Fairfield County organizations, and produced more than 150 events.
The October 18 show will raise funds to support CLASP’s clients, with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A 6:30 p.m. pre-party includes light bites from Blue + Berries and Little Pub. The main event kicks off at 7:30.
Guests are encouraged to dress in the fashion of their favorite decade.
Tickets are $45 in person at the FTC office, $54 online or by phone (203-319-1404).
A clinical psychiatrist at the Yale Department of Psychology with a private practice, she spoke about her work as lead psychologist at Mountain Seed Foundation. It provides healing camps in places like the Austrian Alps for veterans of foreign wars who are suffering from trauma or war loss, and their families.
The week-long program includes physical activities like mountain climbing, zip lining, nature walks and art therapy.
Amit Oren (Photo/Ellin Curley)
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On Sunday night, Alex Sherman was walking his dog near Compo Road South.
Alex got to hear Peter Frampton’s concert (for free).
Plus, he spotted this cool-looking owl on Baker Street. It’s a great image, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … in the midst of one of the most polarized times in American history, today is National Respect Day.
(If you respect “06880” — or even just like it a little bit — please consider a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. Just click here. Thank you!)
On a warm, late-summer day, Max Harper’s family, friends and those who wished they had known him bid farewell.
The 18-year-old Staples High School senior died last week, on his dirt bike not far from his home.
All after-school activities were canceled yesterday, so students could attend the poignant service by the Compo Beach cannons.
Max’s dad spoke, as did Staples principal Stafford Thomas, Greens Farms Academy head Bob Whelan (Max’s previous school), and several friends.
Near the end, yarn balls were passed out. Everyone held on, connecting the large group.
Then the crowd made their way to the shore, and placed petals on the water.
Greens Farms Academy head Bob Whelan (right) addresses Max’s friends from 2 schools. Staples principal Stafford Thomas stands nearby (jacket, hands clasped).
(All photos/Luca Caniato, Staples High School Class of 2025)
Hundreds of friends joined Max Harper’s family to say goodbye to the 18-year-old today, at Compo Beach. He died last week, on his dirt bike. After the memorial, they gathered at the shore, to throw petals on the water. (Photo/Katie Phillis)
Posted onSeptember 17, 2024|Comments Off on Scarice Updates Community On School Threats, Police Response
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice says:
Good afternoon,
I would like to provide an update to our school community regarding the reported threats made to Staples High School.
Our School Day Today
Over the course of the day, I visited all 8 WPS schools and spoke with each building principal and faculty members. I observed the additional officers at Staples, and officers patrolling all of our schools today. I have spoken with Westport Police Department Chief Foti Koskinas multiple times today to ensure our systems continue to serve our schools.
In full disclosure, with the exception of some isolated incidents of anxiety, our schools proceeded with their days. We will return tomorrow with the same high standards for safety that we maintain each day.
Two Separate and Unrelated Staples High School Threats
To reiterate from my message last night to the Staples community, there were 2 entirely separate and unrelated events at Staples. One involved language on a bathroom stall threatening the school community. The other involved a social media posting last night from an identified Staples student.
Assessment of Threats and Actions Taken
I have had multiple conversations with the WPD Chief and members of his team. I am very comfortable with their protocols and threat assessment.
The WPD team, in collaboration with the Staples and district administration, determined the threat written on the bathroom stall lacked credibility. However, the social media posting warranted immediate and decisive action.
Found on a bathroom stall.
Bathroom Stall Threat
In order to assess credibility of the bathroom stall threat the WPD team and school administration engaged in a process including the following:
The bathroom where the graffiti was found was secured and closed until the situation was fully assessed.
The Staples School Resource Officer was notified immediately.
The district administration was notified.
The SRO worked with the building administration to conduct an investigation, looking for any potential evidence (i.e. security footage, suspicious activity, etc.) that would identify a suspect.
Surveillance footage near the bathroom was reviewed to identify potential suspects.
Any staff or students who might have information about the threat were interviewed.
The WPD team and school administration monitored social media leads and any student conversations that could provide information to identify a suspect.
WPD Assessment included:
Specificity:
Is the threat detailed or is it vague? Are names associated with the threat? Is it specific enough to speculate there is a plan?
Wording:
The threat’s wording suggests that the threatener has considered how the act will be carried out
Capability:
If there is a suspect, is there any indication that the person has the means or access to carry it out?
History:
Are there any similar threats or incidents in the past that could be connected? Is there a suspected individual responsible and if so, is the individual known for behavioral issues, special needs, mental health, etc.?
Context:
Does this threat coincide with any known tensions, events, or conflicts presently at the school? Is there corroborating evidence that points to other events providing context that a threat is likely to be carried out?
Preparatory steps:
Is there a strong indication that the individual responsible for the threat has taken preparatory steps?
Rationality:
Is it rational to believe that the threat will be carried out? For example, in this instance of the bathroom stall, is there a history of anonymous threats such as this carried out?
Any other evidence:
Is there any other evidence that would point towards a credible threat?
Based on the evidence, the WPD and WPS administration determined that the threat was not credible.
The district administration will continue to work with the WPD to definitively identify any suspects.
Social Media Posting Threat
A review of the social media posting last night warranted immediate intervention and decisive action including:
A house visit from the WPD to the suspected student after 9 p.m. last night
An arrest summons issued by the WPD
A directive to not report to school by the WPD and school administration
The timeline for the evening social media posting was swift:
8:56 p.m.
The high school administration was notified of a threatening social media, and contacted the WPD and me to plan our actions
10:02 p.m.
The WPD completed a visit to the home of the suspected student and family
An arrest summons was issued
The student and family were informed that they are not to report to school on Tuesday and that the Staples administration will contact the family with next steps.
10:25 p.m.
Notification was sent to the Staples students, families, and faculty
Tuesday 8:27 a.m.
After social media spread, a message was sent to the entire school community, sharing the message sent to the Staples community
Communication to the School Community
My goal is always to balance ensuring the safety of the school community with maintaining calm and minimizing disruption to the school environment. These two incidents were isolated to Staples and both were managed effectively by the building administration in collaboration with the WPD.
In a simple search this afternoon I found 8 Connecticut school districts report threats made and action taken in just the last week. Unfortunately, this continues to happen. Coupled with unspeakable tragedies like the school shooting in Georgia last week, it is very understandable why there is anxiety and an appetite to know more.
That said, I made the decision to have Staples Principal Stafford Thomas communicate to his school community only, along with my follow up at 10:25 p.m. last night.
Yet it became clear to me by morning that social media spread necessitated a message by me to the entire school community. Additionally, it was pointed out that Bedford Middle School and Staples share a campus, providing further justification for a broader message.
Bedford Middle School parents were anxious today. The school is just up the hill from Staples High School.
Beyond the actual acts of violence, the other destructive factor is the paralyzing fear felt across all school communities in the aftermath of another school shooting, or school violence threat. I did not want to disrupt or worry our other schools as no threats were made in their direction.
Our schools were safe today and remain safe everyday. Sadly, that is not a guarantee, as much as I wish I could. If anything, this is yet another example of how our system of response works. Students reported and we acted decisively.
The speed of our communication will never keep pace with social media. Taking the time to sit and write this summary message, a necessary part of my job, took a considerable amount of time after ensuring our schools ran smoothly and without incident.
Vigilant Partnership
I want to reassure the school community that the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. While we cannot predict or prevent every potential threat, we can and will continue to act swiftly, and in close partnership with the WPD.
I am humbled by this responsibility, and by the trust and confidence you place in us. Please continue to encourage your children to speak up when they see or hear something concerning, and know that we will always take their reports seriously.
Thank you for your continued support.
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If you think this harvest moon is particularly stirring: You’re not alone.
Saugatuck Church invites the community to “celebrate the harvest and abundance, while drumming to the full moon’s energy and its strong pull of the tide.”
The Harvest Moon Drum Circle is tomorrow (Wednesday, September 18, 7 to 9 p.m., Compo Beach cannons).
Attendees are encouraged to bring a drum or percussion instrument. Tell the gate attendant you are with the church. Rain location: Hoskins Hall, at Saugatuck Church.
Band Central — the CLASP house group, specializing in classic tunes — headlines the non-profit’s “Music Through the Decades” benefit.
The October 18 show (Fairfield Theatre Company) will raise funds to support CLASP’s clients, with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A 6:30 p.m. pre-party includes light bites from Blue + Berries and Little Pub. The main event kicks off at 7:30.
Guests are encouraged to dress in the fashion of their favorite decade.
Tickets are $45 in person at the FTC office, $54 online or by phone (203-319-1404).
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Wakeman Town Farm is a place for everyone. And that means everybody.
The environmental center has just announced a farmer program for neuro-diverse children.
Designed for youngsters of all abilities, the farm-based program offers a hands-on, sensory-rich experience that encourages exploration, creativity and learning, in a natural setting.
Wakeman Town Farm provides a safe, welcoming environment where kids can connect with animals, engage in gardening activities, and explore the outdoors at their own pace.
The staff is trained to support neuro-diverse learners
There are 2 age groups: 3-10, and 11 and up. Activities like feeding animals, planting seeds and observing nature are outdoors, and tailored to accommodate various sensory, social and communication styles.
The program promotes social interaction, emotional regulation and physical activity, while nurturing a love for nature.
There are 4 Saturday morning sessions, from October 5 through 26. The fee is $180.
Each attendee needs an adult buddy (18+) — a parent, paraprofessional, babysitter, grandparent, or someone else who knows the child well and can support them as an instructor leads the program.
Wakeman Town Farm animal ambassador Judy Panzer and special education professional Leann Duggan helped develop the curriculum and activities for the program.
As CEO of New York Road Runners, Westporter Rob Simmelkjaer is closely associated with the New York Marathon.
But on September 29, he’ll be in Germany, running the Berlin Marathon.
Across the ocean though, his heart will be here. He’s running fo NYRR Team for Kids, the premier charity of New York Road Runners and the New York Marathon.
Since its inception in 2002, NYRR Team for Kids has raised more than $110 million, in a variety of races. Rob’s personal goal is $10,000.
The Funds serve nearly 200,000 youngsters locally and nationally, through NYRR’s free youth running programs.
For more information, and to donate to Rob’s team, click here.
Rob Simmelkjaer
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Many Westporters shop at The Pantry, on the Post Road in Fairfield.
There was a fire there yesterday. All food was thrown out or given away, to churches and Operation Hope.
Owners hope to reopen soon. (Hat tip: Mary Condon)
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The Girl-Power Squash program — an introductory program for kids — got off to a rousing start on Sunday.
All 20 spots were taken, at Intensity Squash.
The program continues for the next 11 Sundays.
A similar one is planned for winter.
Westport elementary school girls, with former Staples High School boys squash coach Eddie O’Rourke (top left) and, in the front row (7th-9th from left), Staples players Rhiya Anand, Rebecca Schachter and Sophie Smith.
Longtime Westport resident Tommy Greenwald and his son Charlie’s “Beginning Reader” series for children ages 5-8 began with a hit.
The first book — “The Rescues Finding Home,” about 2 shelter dogs awaiting adoption was named a 2023 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
The second in the series — “The Rescues Best Day Ever” — is published today. It’s about 3 new adventures with adopted pet friends Moose, Bear and Tiger. Click here for details.
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Longtime Westport resident Joyce Netherton died peacefully last week at Norwalk Hospital, of natural causes. She was 86.
She graduated as salutatorian of Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky. At the University of Kentucky she continued to play violin and was in Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in only 2 1/2 years.
She met Elliott, her husband of 58 years, there. After living in Louisville they moved to Westport in 1973, with their 3 children.
Joyce was an avid tennis player. When her children were older, she became a computer programmer analyst with AC Neilsen and Dun & Bradstreet, rising quickly to management positions.
After retirement she served in numerous local leadership roles, for the Westport Woman’s Club, League of Women Voters, Medical Serve Corps and Staples Tuition Grants. Treasurer was her favorite.
An enthusiastic reader, she was a devoted supporter of the Westport Library.
Joyce was known for her sewing skills. She created clothes and household items for her family, and even made her own wedding gown.
She and Elliott enjoyed trips in their motor home, visiting nearly all 50 states. After retiring, they traveled with friends around the world.
Joyce is survived by daughter Cynthia Lipe (Joe) of Point Blank, Texas; son Hank (Wendy) of Woodland Park, Colorado; grandchildren Kelly (Richard) Deleon, Tracy (Dustin) Bowling, Jonathan Lipe, Miranda (Jerek) Bickford, Mallory (Austin) Nuss, Henry (Candis) Netherton and Wyatt Netherton; and great-grandchildren Lillian and Mason Sarvis, McKenzie, Victoria and Aubrey Deleon, Eleanor, Abigail and Caroline Bowling, Brynley and Emmit Nuss, Conall and Roderick Bickford.
She is also survived by her brother David Beals, and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Elliott, daughter and son-in-law Paige and Tom Totilo, and brothers Ralph and Philip Beals.
Services will be held outside at the Memorial Garden of Christ & Holy Trinity Church on Friday, September 27 (11 a.m.). Her ashes will be interred in the Memorial Garden during the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Westport Library or Westport Woman’s Club.
Joyce Netherton
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Johanna Keyser Rossi offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, taken at the Senior Center, and explains:
“With summer’s end, and fewer and fewer flowers, the bees are looking to stock up for winter. They’re finding the flowers with the most nectar and pollen.”
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