Hallows Eve Sunset
A slim horizon of orange sunset have a jack-o-lantern glow to those heading for their candy and Halloween parties this evening surrounding Compo Beach.
Letter to the Editor: “I have seen many changes in our town”
Letter to the EditorLetter to the Editor:
I have never voted along one political party line or for a candidate who makes boastful promises of change and things to come. Rather, I look at the individual, his or her record and what has been accomplished.
As a resident of Westport for over 43 years, I have seen many changes in our town as it has grown and I have often wondered whether we are heading in the right direction. One thing I know for sure is that Westport is a better place today because we have had professional and caring leadership these past 8 years and that is why, when I vote for Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore, I feel certain that we will continue on the right path.
Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore both have professional backgrounds that include years of management and leadership experience. They have been a part of the team that has seen Westport through many challenges and made it one of the best run towns in Connecticut. They have listened, and will continue to do so as they work together to keep our town moving forward.
Westport needs leaders that can be relied on…we need Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for Selectmen!
Sincerely,
Jacque O’Brien
Halloween 2021: Just Like Old Times
Tonight’s scenes reminded Westporters of years’ past as kids and families returned to the streets after the 2020 lockdowns kept many in their homes.
Trick or Treat Trio
Westporters Macklin Reilly, Max yeater, and Ean Frankle stop by a home on Soundview Drive tonight for candy - only quickly pausing for a photo before heading off with the rest of the costumed crowds.
Collecting the Candy on Soundview Drive
A trick-or-treater collects their candy from a Soundview Drive home this evening as Halloween returned to the community in force, with warm weather and few raindrops bringing thousands to the neighborhood.
Fairfield Avenue Braces for Candy
Westporter Carol Brezovec prepares for the influx of trick-or-treaters this evening on Fairfield Avenue. The Compo Beach neighborhood braces for over 1000 kids each year on Halloween.
Letter to the Editor: “I am well-aware of the skill set that is needed to run Westport well”
Letter to the EditorTo the Editor,
My wife, Patty, and I strongly support and will vote for Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for Board of Selectwomen on November 2.
I’ve had the fortune to work with Jen and Andrea in my current position of Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. They have been supportive of the need to improve the Parks and Recreational Facilities in Westport and I am positive that they will do so when elected on November 2.
In addition to my 8 years on the Commission, I have served the town as RTM Member (2 years), Member of the Board of Finance (7 years) and Member of the Board of Selectmen (3 years). Because of my 20-year experience in Westport Government serving in the Dianne Farrell, Gordon Joseloff and Jim Marpe administrations, I am well-aware of the skill set that is needed to run Westport well.
Aside from their management experience, Jen and Andrea are collaborative and non-partisan. They care deeply about Westport and understand the need for fiscal responsibility reflecting their BOF experiences. Jen, in particular, worked hands on in Jim Marpe’s administration as second Selectwoman and understands the requirements of 1st Selectwoman.
My wife, Patty, worked in the Westport Human Services Department for the past 20 years and is keenly aware of the successful attributes of a caring Westport First Executive and also strongly supports the ticket. Please join us in voting for Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore for Selectwomen.
Charlie and Patty Haberstroh
WAAC Culture Corner: Grateful for Art
Prepared by WAAC Member and Westport Poet Laureate Diane Lowman
Welcome back to the Westport Local Press’s Westport Arts Advisory Committee’s “Culture Corner.” Each month, the WAAC scours our 33.45 square miles and highlight one of the many artists – visual, written, performance, and other – who call Westport home. These artists create a spectrum of color that shines over town like the rainbows often seen over the Saugatuck, so we have made “color” our theme.
For November, we’ve chosen golden – for the foliage certainly, but also, as the color of gratitude. We celebrate Thanksgiving this month, so it seemed a good time to express appreciation for the vibrant art scene in town, and one of the town’s institutions that so supports our collective creativity: The Westport Library.
Let’s start with the current exhibit. All of the library’s gallery space is currently dedicated to the work of local artist Leonard Everett Fisher. According to their website, “His career as a painter, illustrator, and designer spans over 70 years. The exhibit highlights Fisher’s deep sense of humanity which is conveyed through his unique use of shape, line and color.” The few examples shared here represent only a slice of the exhibit, which is much better viewed in person (runs through January 2, 2022).
I sat down with Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the library, to express appreciation for everything they do to support and promote the arts in our community, and to find out how they approach showcasing all the creativity in town. Harmer acknowledged that since Westport has such a long, rich history of being home to so many visual, writing, and performing artists that he has always considered this a key, critical part of their mission – to recognize, honor, and provide an outlet for all that talent. It figured heavily into the redesign of the space, where three rotating gallery spaces, and state of the art performance and studio spaces afford a publicly visible outlet to myriad forms of expression. He personally promised artists of all kinds that their work would always have a home both physically, and on the programming schedule, at the library.
Many pieces from the town’s own art collection, as well as the library’s own well-loved black and white collection hang throughout the building. During the worst of Covid19, Harmer encouraged his staff to “pivot,” and continue to provide access to the arts to its patrons online. In another pandemic silver lining, this gave birth to a video series, which is still available on their website, profiling over 30 artists-in-residence.
In creating programming, Harmer says the library works very closely with the Westport Chamber of Commerce to eliminate barriers to artists showcasing their work: the drive-in theatre in the Imperial parking lot, that provided so much safe, fun entertainment to the community at a time when so many other outlets had shut down, as well as the very popular Supper and Soul series, are great examples of this collaboration.
Now that venues can again welcome he public, the library has some exciting upcoming arts events on the docket: they will showcase new musical talent with both a new series spearheaded by Chris Frantz of Talking Heads fame and the The Westport Sessions, produced in the broadcast studios. Artist Charles Joyner, who spent several formative years here in town, will be featured in upcoming exhibits and events. The annual StoryFest celebrates the written word and Short Cuts highlights film. This is only a smattering of the ways in which our local library makes the arts a very important part of their raison d’etre. The best place to keep abreast of their vast offerings is, of course, their website: https://westportlibrary.org
We just wanted to take this month to express our gratitude to all those who create in our community, and to the library for so proactively supporting them.
Halloween in Westport: Trick or Treating “Tips and Tricks”
Photo by Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com/October 2019, Compo Beach. With treat or treating back this year after the pandemic lockdowns - local neighborhoods are preparing for thousands of ghouls and goblins to arrive for their sweet treats. The Westport Police Department has issued safety tips to keep families safe as Westport’s youngest residents turn to the local streets to celebrate. The police department keeps a presence in the most popular trick or treating hotspots, such as the Compo Beach neighborhood and Gault Avenue neighborhoods, while motorists are reminded to watch for crossing costumes. Trick or treating usually begins in the community around 4:00 PM and can be expected to slow down when the community’s teenagers have figured out all the candy has gone for the year.
Westport Police DepartmentWith Halloween almost upon us, the Westport Police Department would like to offer some safety tips. If everyone adheres to the following suggestions a safe and fun Halloween should be had by all:
Trick or Treaters:
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
Agree on a specific time when older children should come home.
Only go to homes where the outside lights are on.
Stay Visible – Carry a flashlight/glow sticks and consider affixing glow tape to costumes and bags.
Never assume a car can see you as visibility is low.
Use sidewalks and crosswalks.
Travel in groups.
Carry a cell phone – Make sure you and your kids can easily reach one another.
Never enter a stranger’s home.
Have an adult examine all candy prior to eating and avoid homemade treats made by strangers.
Drivers:
Be mindful of pedestrians.
Do not speed through neighborhoods.
Use extreme caution – Many trick or treaters are hard to see due to dark colored costumes.
The police department wants everyone to be safe, so please review these safety tips with children who will be trick or treating. Additionally, extra officers will be out on patrol during Halloween night.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!