Jennifer Wolff writes: “Once again, hostage poster thieves have taken to the Ruth Steinklaus Cohen Bridge and ripped down posters.
“And once again, the Westport chapter of RunForTheirLives printed new ones and replaced all that was stolen.
“We have an amazing community of caring people who take it upon themselves to keep reminding Westport and beyond that these innocent folks need to come home. The RunForTheirLifers who replaced the posters include Maya Rotem, Relly Coleman, Hagar Moshe, Ana White, Lynn Rabinovici Park, Julie Podziba and Nitsan Greif.
“We are tired of this cat-and-mouse game. Whatever anyone’s opinion about the conflict in the Middle East, we all can agree that the innocent hostages — many of whom on the morning of October 7 were either dancing, making breakfast for their kids, or still asleep — need to come home. Especially now that we have seen the conditions they are living and dying in.”
Hostage posters on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
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Got an idea for downtown?
The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee invites all stakeholders to a public charette next Wednesday October 23 (6 p.m., Westport Library).
Attendees can learn about current plans for Jesup Green, the Imperial Avenue parking lot, and a possible parking deck, with time for questions and feedback.
Maps and displays will help guide discussions.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Ben Casparius secured last night’s 8-0 win over the New York Mets, in game 3 of the National League Championship Series.
It’s getting routine for the 2017 Staples High School graduate — called up to the majors only in August — to come on and succeed, in relief.
But there was another local twist to yesterday’s contest.
Mets’ public address announcer Marysol Castro has lived in Westport for 19 years. The first Latina to hold the job in Major League Baseball, she had the honor of announcing her fellow resident’s name to the CitiField crowd.
And her words were heard, presumably, by millions of Americans watching too. (Hat tip: Isa Didio)
(Instagram courtesy of Dave Briggs)
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If you weren’t watching the Mets and Dodgers last night, maybe you were at Compo Beach for the comet show.
Franco Fellah was.
He captured this great image of Comet C-2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas.
Check out the bright dust tail on one side, and opposite the rare, faint anti-tail, pointing at the sun.
(Photo/Franco Fellah)
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Survivor Rowing Network connects breast cancer survivors to bond and support each other through their love of rowing.
The Saugatuck Survive-Oars are proud members of the Network. Yesterday, they were part of the story on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Click below for the fascinating segment. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
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Among the 100-plus Republican officials appearing with Vice President Kamala Harris yesterday, at a Pennsylvania rally: Westport’s former Congressman, Chris Shays.
Shays won a special election to replace Stewart McKinney, after the Republican’s death in 1987. He was elected to a full term in 1988, then re-elected 9 times.
Shays lost to Jim Himes in 2008. He was the most senior member of the House of Representatives to be defeated that year.
Other Republicans who joined Shays and Harris in Bucks County were former Representatives Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma, and former Governor Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey.
Former Congressman Chris Shays
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Remember the Maxytaxy?
The Westport Transit District is looking for color photos of the 1970s-era Mercedes bus that traveled throughout town, picking up and depositing riders. (Its cousin, the Minnybus, did the same, but on fixed routes.)
If anyone has a piece of an old Maxytaxy — hey, it doesn’t hurt to ask! — that would be even better.
Email pgoldrtm3@gmail.com with photos or actual bus parts.
In lieu of photos of a Maxytaxy, here’s one of a Minnybus. The transfer point was Jesup Green.
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between October 9 and 16.
A 34-year-old Stamford man was charged with interfering with an officer and breach of peace, following an investigation into a September domestic violence altercation in the Saugatuck railroad station parking lot.
A 36-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, after an investigation into a September theft of $850 worth of merchandise from Stop & Shop.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 7 citations
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Distracted driving: 2
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
- Failure to grant right of way: 2
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
- Failure to comply with state traffic control regulations: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Failure to renew registration: 2
- Traveling unreasonably fast in a school zone: 1
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Improper turn: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Failure to reinstate license: 1
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Too many Westporters — and folks everywhere else — have been affected by ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
ALS United Connecticut is sponsoring a walk this Saturday (October 19) at Sherwood Island State Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m.; the walk starts at 11.
The walk draws people together to honor all those affected by ALS, and remember those who have died. Click here for details, and registration.
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Noted artist Ruth Kalla Ungerer died Tuesday in her home on Bayberry Lane, surrounded by her family. She was 76.
The Pittsburgh native earned a bachelor of fine arts magna cum laude in sculpture from Drew University.
After years of artistic practice and raising 2 children, Ruth began a new career as director of the 1990 census operations for municipalities in New Jersey. She then spent more than 10 years at the Committee for Economic Development.
She continued her career in development leadership with non-profit organizations, including Literacy Volunteers of America, Montclair State University, the New School University and the Population Council. Her expertise was in strategic planning, corporate and foundation grantsmanship, and major individual donor solicitation.
After retiring, Ruth resumed her artistic career with a focus on printmaking. She worked independently and with fellow artists at the Center for Contemporary Printing in Norwalk and Milestone Graphics in Bridgeport.
Accompanying her husband Richard on business trips to China, Ruth worked with Zhang Dongmin and met Fan Li Jun, one of China’s most renowned artists.
In particular, Ruth pursued her love of the line and a feminist approach to the female form. Her work was shown in galleries and exhibitions across Connecticut and in Brooklyn.
Ruth received numerous awards and honors. She was active in the Artists Collective of Westport and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, as a board member.
In addition, Ruth and husband became advocates for Montessori education around the world.
Ruth tried through her nonprofit work and arts engagement to underscore the importance of the creative spirit in enhancing the understanding of life’s complexities, as well as its wonders.
She is survived by her husband Richard, children Erika Grossman (Claire Psarouthakis) of Minneapolis, and Heather Grossman, of Urbana, Illinois, and older brother Ronald Kalla. She was predeceased by her younger brother, Alec Kalla.
Her family is grateful for the medical staff at Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital and elsewhere, and the many dedicated caregivers who supported her.
A graveside funeral service will be held tomorrow (Friday, October 18, 10 a.m., Willowbrook Cemetery). Shiva will be observed in her home that day, from noon to 6 p.m. .
To share online condolences, click here. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Artists Collective of Westport.
Ruth Ungerer
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature shows a suburban intersection of nature and the man-made environment.
Susan Garment spotted this bobcat mother, and 2 of her 3 kittens, frolicking by Susan’s back yard pool.
(Photo/Susan Garment)
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And finally … today is Forgive an Ex Day. Enjoy!
(From Citi Field to Kelly Clarkson to comets in the sky, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. We couldn’t do it without you, though. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
