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The State of Connecticut has procured 500,000 at-home COVID test kits; each contains 2 tests. Westport’s allotment 3,420 kits.
The kits will be distributed to Westport residents tomorrow (Thursday, December 30) at Staples High School, beginning at 1 p.m.
Each vehicle will receive 2 kits, on a first-come, first-served basis. A driver’s license will be required to receive the test kits.
As early as next week, the state will also distribute N95 masks. Details are still being finalized.
Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani says:
I strongly encourage people to limit gathering sizes during this holiday week. Because of the scarcity of these kits, I ask residents to please take only the kits that you need for your immediate family so that we can distribute as many as possible to help flatten the Omicron curve.
Residents testing positive via the home test should stay home or isolate for 5 days if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. There is no need to obtain a follow up PCR test.
Given the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant, it is vital to wear a mask both in public, and when interacting in close contact with individuals outside of your household. For the latest CDC guidelines, please click here.
Westport Public Schools families should report positive COVID cases of students using the district’s reporting voicemail or email (click here for details). It is not necessary to report positive results from at-home testing to the Westport Weston Health District. (Hat tip: Ernie Lorimer)
An at-home COVID test.
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COVID did not stop you from buying a Christmas tree.
And it won’t stop Boy Scout Troop 39 from hauling yours away, either.
The Scouts’ annual tree pick-up project — one of the town’s most-awaited post-New Year’s events — is set for Saturday, January 8.
It’s simple: First you register (click here).
Then put your tree by your mailbox by 6:30 a.m. on January 8. Tape an envelope with a donation (suggested: $20 per tree) to your front door (cash or check, payable to “Boy Scout Troop 39”).
They’ll do the rest. Scout’s honor! (Hat tip: Jenny Rago McCarthy)
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This has been a tough year for many. It’s been especially difficult for the Colletti family.
Chuck and Roe Colletti have been active with Westport organizations, events and charities since 1974. Their daughter Cassie is married to Sean Mecsery. They have 2 children, 6 and 2 years old. For the past 2 years Sean has battled stage 4 brain cancer for 2 years.
They’ve shuttled between hospitals on both coasts for surgeries, chemotherapy radiation and trial medications. It’s been brutal.
Cassie has been strong, focused and committed throughout the ordeal. Meanwhile, she’s managed Sean’s family’s business — Cos Cob TV & Audio — to help keep the family afloat. COVID has made that especially hard.
Many daily medications and infusions are not covered by insurance. A GoFundMe page has been set up, to help. To donate, click here.
Sean and Cassie Colletti Mecsery, with their kids.
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The “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”
It doesn’t get more global than this.
Bert Spenkelink lives in Amsterdam. He loves the Rolling Stones. He has 25,000 photos of them in his library, and posts about them often on Instagram.
He just uploaded this one:
The photographer — uncredited — took this shot of Keith and his daughter Theodora the other day, at Sherwood Island State Park.
Avid “06880” reader (and Stones fan) Fred Cantor sent it along to me. He got it from our former Staples High School classmate Alan Bravin, who now lives in California.
So, to be clear: A fan in the Netherlands found this photo of Weston’s most famous resident, celebrating the holidays in Westport — and it came to me, a couple of miles from where it was taken, by someone on the West Coast.
Happy holidays, Bert, Fred, Alan, Keith and Theodora!
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As reported on “06880” last month, Savannah Bee has left its hive.
The Bedford Square store — which branched out from (great) honey products to become both an educational center and gathering place for ecologically minded Westporters — was shut by the owners of the largely Southern chain.
There’s a big hole in the heart of Church Lane today. No word yet on what will fill that very sweet spot.
Meanwhile, just a few feet away, Franny’s Farmacy closes Friday (December 31). Click here for details, reported earlier this month on “06880.”
It too is for rent.
The former Savannah Bee. (Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Fourth-generation Westporter Jonathan Maddock died December 19, after fighting a courageous battle against ALS. He kept his positive attitude and wonderful sense of humor until the end. He was 66 years old.
Jon grew up here surrounded by the love and friendship of his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters and parents Larry and Fran Maddock, who he believed were the best parents anyone could have.
Jon loved the outdoors, and enthusiastically embraced life. He bicycled more than 5,000 miles from Westport to California and back, alone. He served as commodore of the Sandy Hook (New Jersey) Catamaran Club, sailing and racing catamarans.
He skied, mountain biked, ran long distances, ice skated, and enjoyed trout and fly fishing. He was an avid photographer of nature, as well as silly things. Jon was a skilled woodworker, building furniture and special wooden boxes as Christmas gifts. He loved listening to music, played trombone (which he laughingly balanced on his nose), and long ago enjoyed being part of the Fred Robinson Big Band.
Jon graduated from Staples in 1973, then from the University of Maine in 1977. After following a variety of career paths he and his family settled in Wolfeboro. New Hampshire, where he was employed as senior designer at Lars Heating Systems. He worked there for 20 years, and made good friends who supported him through his ALS journey.
Jon is survived by his wife Karen; daughter Kelsey; loving sisters Becky (Ray) Racine, Judy Anderson and Sandy Hasket, and many nieces an nephews and good friends. He was predeceased by his parents.
Until the end Jon was was loving, kind, understanding, compassionate, smart, funny and brave. To help carry on Jon’s fight to stop ALS, click here.
Jon Maddock (Photo/Barbara Marks)
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For a few days now, a Christmas tree has dangled from a crane over the boatyard near the railroad station.
(Photo/Nancy Vener)
There must be a back story. But I sure don’t know it. If you do, click “Comments” below.
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We like serene scenes for our “Westport … Naturally” feature — especially at the end of this chaotic year.
It doesn’t get more calming than this:
(Photo/Bobbi Essagof)
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And finally … in honor of the Keith Richards/Amsterdam/California story (above):
