Tag Archives: Connecticut Primary 2020

Roundup: Isaias Update, Primary Election, More


If you’re like me, it will take a while to break that walk-into-the-room-and-flip-the-light switch habit.

Westporters are spending today foraging for food, gas, internet — whatever we need to survive.

We’re doing it while masked too. This is not fun.

We’re still stuck at 97% of Westport without power. And the Eversource outage map is still stuck on “evaluating outage” in terms of a restoration estimate. That is not a good sign.

But downtown does have power. There was a line when Starbucks opened at 6:30 a.m. Rye Ridge Deli, the new açaí bowl place and Green & Tonic were all open. They’ll be even more busy once the word gets out, and all the side roads are cleared.

Stew Leonard’s is open. They’ve got nearly everything you need — hot and cold sandwiches, bread, water, coffee, meat — and stuff you didn’t know you needed too, as always.

The Westport Library does not have power. They are not open today (though the Riverwalk and Jesup Green are filled with people using their WiFi), and are canceling programs through the end of the week.

And for a fee, Symphone Workplaces is open. It’s a business center at 55 Greens Farms Road, in that weird office building between the Assumption Cemetery and the I-95 overpass.

You’ll need an ethernet port connector or adapter. But there are plenty of desks (private) open from 8:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays, plus free coffee and snacks. Call 877-539-5100 for more info.

55 Greens Farms Road: hidden in plain sight, across from I-95 and next to a cemetery.


The Democratic and Republican Parties hold primaries on August 11. All absentee ballots must be received by that day. Ballots may be dropped off in an outdoor box behind Town Hall.

If you’re like me, you may have requested one from the state a couple of weeks ago — and not received it yet. Fingers crossed.

Voting can be done in person. But there’s only one polling place in Westport: Bedford Middle School.


And finally … on this date in 1957, “American Bandstand” premiered on ABC-TV.

Roundup: Primary Day Workers, Farmers’ Market For Kids, Navigating College During COVID, More


There’s an election coming up — and it’s not in November. The Democratic and Republican Parties hold primaries next Tuesday (August 11). Workers are being hired to man (and woman) the polls.

No party affiliation is needed. Most positions do not require prior experience. PPE is required (and supplied). For details, email mcowden@westportct.gov.


Oops! I had a couple of errors in yesterday’s story about the Westport Farmers’ Market kids’ crafts program. A corrected version appears here:

The pandemic has prevented live gatherings for the “Get Growing” kids’ program at Westport Farmers’ Market.

No problem! WFM has launched “Get Growing to Go!,” a craft kit of activities youngsters can do at home. The brainchild of Mae Farrell, it includes a free package parents and caregivers pick up at the Farmers’ Market Imperial Avenue parking lot.

Each week Mae announces the craft for the following week on Instagram and Facebook, and children and parents through the week’s activity — on their own schedule.

“’Get Growing’ is dear to my heart,” says WFM executive director Lori Cochran-Dougal.

“Mae has taken it to a whole new level, both in person and now virtually with the craft kits. Families are a big part of our market. We won’t let the pandemic prevent us from helping the next generation appreciate nature, farmers, and importance of a local food community.”

Parents can pre-order craft kits for pickup at the Farmers’ Market by emailing Mae any time between Sunday and Tuesday each week: getgrowing@westportfarmersmarket.com. The first pickup is Thursday, August 13, and each Thursday thereafter from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WARNING: Only 30 craft kits are available each week.

For an introduction and sample, click here (Facebook) or here (Instagram).

Causeway Collaborative is a Westport-based organization that counsels and mentors young men between the ages of 17 and 30 who are struggling to navigate transitional stages in life.

That includes coping with COVID-19.

On Thursday, August 13 (7 p.m.), Causeway hosts a virtual (and free) event for parents of young adults, whose children are preparing to return to college during COVID-19. It’s a new struggle —  but one many Westporters can relate to. Click here to register.


MyTeamTriumph — the great local organization that pairs people with special needs with volunteers who help them take part in triathlons and road races — suffered a devastating loss Friday.

Connie Crowell and her 22-year-old son Jack died when their SUV plunged into the Housatonic River in Seymour. Both lived in Monroe, but had been very active with the Westport chapter.

The local group posted this video, and passes on word of a GoFundMe collection to cover funeral and memorial costs, and an education fund for Jack’s brother.


And finally … on this day in 1901, Louis Armstrong was born. For 69 years, he shared this wonderful world with us.