Westport Fire Department To The Rescue!
Firefighters paddle into the Saugatuck just south of the Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen bridge in downtown Westport to rescue a deer which was having a very bad day until Westport FD cam to save it.
Westport Fire Department photos.
There is one lucky deer wandering downtown Westport today thanks to the quick and skillful response of The Westport FirefightersAt 6:49 this morning Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a call about the scared, helpless deer which had fallen through the ice in the Saugatuck was brought to safety.
The FD press release states:
The Westport Fire Department responded with an Engine, Rescue, Shift Commander, and Safety Officer. Responding companies found a deer stuck in the ice of the Saugatuck River near the Post Road. Members from the Rescue Company utilized cold water rescue suits and equipment to enter the river and successfully remove the deer. The deer was able to walk away into a wooded area.
We don’t know if he/she thanked the rescuers but we can safely assume it was grateful as it look at the first responders who saved it’s life.
Cribari Bridge Re-Opened As Of 8:30PM
Cribari Bridge File Photo By J.C. Martin
Westport Police Department Press Release January 6, 2025 - Update: Bridge Now Open To All Traffic
At approximately 3:00pm this afternoon, a routine opening of the Cribari Bridge was conducted to allow a vessel to pass through. Upon attempting to reclose the Bridge, there was reported to be a mechanical issue that was preventing this from happening. Initial reports were that this would be a temporary condition with a prompt resolution.
Since that time, further updates from workers at the scene were that once closed, there was an additional issue preventing the re-opening of the Bridge to vehicular traffic. At the time of this writing, the duration of repairs and the associated road closure is unknown.
Officers are assisting with traffic control in and around the affected intersections, however this situation has caused significant congestion and delays. If possible, motorists should attempt to avoid the area and/or to seek alternate routes. An updated advisory will be published if/when this is resolved.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!
December 25th, Christmas Day is also the first night of Hanukkah-
This year, the first day of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas Day, marking a significant overlap that has not occurred in nearly two decades. Over the past century, this rare alignment has happened only four other times, with the last occurrence in 2005, and previously in 1959, 1921, and 1910. The difference in calendars explains the overlap; the Hebrew calendar, which is lunisolar, identifies months based on the moon’s phases, resulting in a calendar year that is shorter than the typical Gregorian calendar used widely in the Western world. As such, Hanukkah, beginning at sundown, falls on a day that is typically reserved for Christmas festivities, creating a unique moment for those who celebrate both holidays.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Hanukkah, also known as the Celebration of Lights, is an eight-day holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC following its liberation by Jewish fighters from foreign occupation. The holiday is observed through various traditions, including lighting the menorah, which holds nine candles, one for each night of the holiday and an additional candle used to light the others. Families gather to celebrate with special prayers, games, and traditional foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot. Hanukkah serves as a reminder of resilience and the enduring spirit of faith within the Jewish community.
Above left: Last year’s Menorah lighting celebration at the Pequot library in Fairfield, hosted by Chabad of Westport, Chabd of Fairfield and the Pequot library. This year the event will take place on Monday, December 30th at 4:30 PM at the Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Avenue, Southport. There will be music by DJ Marv and of course latkes and donuts. All are welcome. Visit Pequot Menorah Lighting for more info.
Above right: The Lessons & Carols event at Christ & Holy Trinity church in Westport on Sunday, December 15th. To see our coverage visit: CH&T Lessons & Carols. The church hosted their annual Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Christ & Holy Trinity Festival Of Lessons & Carols Celebrates Christmas
The 21st annual Festival took place on Sunday at Westport's Christ & Holy Trinity Church.This event celebrating the birth of Jesus has the sanctuary filled to capacity each year as the choir of C&HT performs traditional popular Christmas carols and religious songs along with readings from scripture.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The event began when the choir entered the church by candlelight singing "Once in royal David's city", introduced by a boy chorister and accompanied by organist Jonathan Vaughan. As the service progressed, young choristers as well as adult singers were featured in several pieces, and cellist Cheryl Labrecque accompanied the choir in "Carol of the Magi" by John Rutter.
The lessons, which are readings from the Holy Bible from the books of Genesis, Isaiah, Luke, Matthew, and John were each read by a different member of the church, choir and community, including Connecticut State Senator Ceci Maher.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Each lesson was followed by a carol sung by the 32-voice intergenerational choir, or a hymn sung by the congregation. All of the music sung, which spanned several centuries, was related to the biblical texts which preceded them, so some lyrics may have a more sacred connotation than the secular versions frequently heard. The tradition of Lessons & Carols dates back to the Church Of England in 1880. A special broadcast of the Festival from King's College, Cambridge, England will be aired by WSHU Public Radio at 91.1 FM on Christmas morning at 10:00 AM.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Christmas Eve at 3:00 CHT Church will present The Christmas Crèche, the birth of Jesus as told in story, movement and song headlined by Broadway star Kelli O'Hara, seven-time Tony nominee and winner of the 2015 Tony for Best Actress in a Musical.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The sanctuary was filled for this special event. After the service, Santa directed guests downstairs to Branford Hall for refreshments and a wonderful array of homemade appetizers and delicious desserts.