End Of An Era: Democrat Kevin Christie Elected First Selectman
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal swearing in Kevin Christie as First Selectman along with his wife Gina and their twin children, son Ethan and daughter Skye.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The election for Selectman this year saw Democrats Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich defeat Don O’Day and Andrea Moore, and Independent David Rosenwaks to become the first Democratic leadership team in Town Hall in twelve years. O’Day had been a lifelong Democrat prior to changing parties to run on the ticket with Republican Moore. As a result of his vote tally, O’Day is not the town’s Third Selectman.
Christie and Wistreich replace First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore whom barely defeated Democrat State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and Candice Savin in 2021 by less than 70 votes. Savin served as Second Selectwoman after that election. Tooker, who served as Second Selectwoman along with Republican First Selectman Jim Marpe since their 2017 victory, opted not to run for a second term as First Selectwoman instead choosing to attempt a run as CT Governor which never really materialized.
Above: Senator Blumenthal congratulates First Selectman Kevin Christie while his family enjoy the exciting moment, while wife Gina, son Ethan and daughter Skye look on. Christie then addressed the packed town hall auditorium describing his gratitude for the honor and laying out some of his vision for the leadership of the town of Westport.
Above: Following the oath of office by Christie and Wistreich, Town Clerk Jeffrey M. Dunkerton takes a selfie. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal speaks on behalf to the new team, then takes a selfie with Christie. At right, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, is photographed along with RTM district 9 member Addison Moore, Christie and Senator Bleumenthal.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Spooky, Scary, Cute & Cuddly - Westport Halloween Parade Had It All!
The Westport Halloween Parade last month was, as always a delight for children and their parents, many of whom went all out in the creativity department looking their best to celebrate the much loved annual event. Here are some of the many trick-or-treaters who strolled up Main Street stopping at merchant after merchant to fill their bags, sacks or buckets with lots of candy.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Each year the partnership between Westport P.A.L, Westport Parks & Recreation and the Downtown Merchants Association come together to create this fun-filled Halloween tradition.
Westport canines are always a welcome addition with some getting into the Halloween spirit with some creative costumes while others just take in the sights and sounds.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, right, Westport PD Deputy Chief Ryan Paulson and Chief David Farrell joined the festivities as they walked up Main St. while Westport PD officers were happy to pose for photos with the excited trick-or-treatersand share candy and PD swag. Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Danielle Dobin (bottom, right) wasn’t an actual policewoman, but was happy to do her part as she does each year.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Wonderful Autumn Walk At Willowbrook
There are many places in Westport to enjoy the splendor of fall foliage. We recently visited one such place, Willowbrook Cemetery at 395 Main Street, just south of the Merritt Parkway.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Willowbrook’s beauty is apparent any time of the year, perhaps most notably in the spring when “Daffodil Mile” as it is known is in bloom with what seems to be an nearly endless stream of the vibrant yellow colored spring favorites which run parallel to Willowbrook’s stream and Main Street every April.
As it turn out, Autumn also provides a glimpse into Mother Nature’s beauty when the green leaves of summer transform into the rainbow hues of Autumn. There are numerous species of deciduous trees including various maples, oaks, and hickories which add to the spectacle of color at Willowbrook.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There is also one very unusual species which is rare to see in CT and which has a very interesting history. This tree is visually striking and dominates the view looking east from the top of the hill on the property.
It is a Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), a decisduous evergreen tree native to Central and western China. According to UConn’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE), this species is a “very nice Chinese tree once thought to be extinct and only known from the fossil record.” (photos below). Pamm Cooper of the UConn Home & Garden Education Center told WestportLocal, “We have the state Champion (Dawn Redwood) tree here in Manchester, CT. It is rapid growing with a pyramidal form of upturned branches.”
A champion tree is the largest known tree of its species in a specific geographic area, such as a country, state, or county. These trees are identified and recognized based on standardized measurements of their height, trunk circumference, and crown spread. Organizations like American Forests and Forestry England maintain national and regional registers to document and honor these "super-sized superstars" of the plant world.
Westport had a National Champion Bayberry tree, from Jan 2020 to Nov 2021 which was also was a national co-champion from Sep 2016 to Jan 2020 and was located at Sherwood Island, but unfortunately has died.
According to the NC State University North Carolina Plant Toolbox, the Dawn Redwood, or metasequoia-glyptostroboides (met-uh-see-KWOY-uh glip-toh-stroh-BOY-deez) was discovered during a plant expedition into remote China in the 1940s” Also, “This is a large, fast-growing, deciduous, pyramidal evergreen tree that grows up to 100' tall with attractive, feathery foliage that is easy to transplant. It has spreading branches that droop with age. Pin branchlets are paired, and drop as a unit.
How it found its way to Willowbrook, no one seems to know.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Willowbrook provides a superb spot to commune with the natural world. On this visit we heard a pounding sound against a tree limb and as we suspected, it was a Pileated Woodpecker, always a sight to behold.
The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent, as described in All About Birds.org It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many species including swifts, owls, ducks, bats, and pine martens.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
This blue jay also added to our experience by adding its call from a perch atop a post-bloom hydrangea bush framed by a background of gold.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples Boys Soccer Triumphs Over Darien In CIAC Match
Above, bottom right: Greyson Downes leads the celebration after his goal putting Staples on the board and in the lead.
It was a beautiful fall afternoon on Monday at Wakeman Field, as the Staples Wreckers earned a hard-fought 2–1 win over Darien. The game was anything but easy, with Darien sitting deep, defending in numbers, and looking to threaten through set pieces.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
ABOVE: In a match where inches can make the difference, Darien’s keeper is barely beaten by Downes’ shot fired on goal.
Staples started brightly, controlling possession and showing patience in the buildup despite Darien’s compact low block. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Greyson Downes finished calmly after a clever assist from Lucas Alarcon, giving the Wreckers a well-deserved 1–0 lead.
Wreckers Soccer fans line the fence, closely watching the intense action on the pitch as the Wreckers fought the Blue Wave in the CIAC match..
Gabe Duque was brought down in the box in the 2nd half earning a penalty that he confidently converted himself to make it 2–0 Staples.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Darien battled back in the second half and pulled one back from a set piece, setting up a tense final stretch. Their goalkeeper produced several big saves to keep them in the game, but Staples showed maturity and discipline to see out the result and secure all three points.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
It was a gritty and composed performance from the Wreckers, who found a way to break down a tough opponent and manage the game late on.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE: Staples defeated Ridgefield, 2-0 at home on Thursday, November 6th.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.