Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight
Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 34. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tomorrow
Rain and sleet, becoming all rain after 1pm. High near 40. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no sleet accumulation expected.
Tomorrow Night
Rain, mainly before 1am. Low around 33. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Westport PAL Ice Skating Rink Celebrates 25th Anniversary
(L-R): Bob Wickey (Treasurer, Westport PAL), Tony Lantier (Rink Manager), Officer Craig Bergamo (President, Westport PAL), Officer Ned Batlin (Past President, Westport PAL), Sam Gault (President, Gault Energy), First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Vincent Penna Sr. (Owner, AJ Penna and Son), Retired Police Chief Al Fiore (Past President, Westport PAL), Deputy Police Chief Sam Arciola (Past President, Westport PAL), Jim Donaher (Vice President, Gault Energy), Retired Police Chief William Chiarenzelli (Past President, Westport PAL), Police Chief Foti Koskinas. Contributed photoWestport Police DepartmentThe Westport Police Athletic League (PAL) is excited to announce that the PAL Rink at Longshore just commenced its 25th year in operation. Each winter since 1997, with the support of the Westport Parks and Recreation Department, the Westport PAL has operated a family skating rink at Longshore Park.
The Westport PAL was established in 1948 and is one of Westport’s oldest youth organizations. The Westport PAL continues to blaze a trail with many outstanding youth programs such as football, cheerleading, and basketball. Even though the PAL knew its sporting programs were second to none, the organization wanted to do more for the community. They strived to create a place where families and friends could come together to enjoy some outdoor winter fun. An ice rink seemed like the perfect way to accomplish that goal. Through the tireless work of PAL volunteers, the ice rink became a reality.
During its first year of operation, the PAL erected a small ice rink in the parking lot adjacent to the Longshore Inn. However, based on this rink’s success and the financial contributions of some very generous donors a larger rink was purchased. During its fifth year in operation the rink was expanded to its current size of 75’ by 144’.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas commented that he could not be happier with the rink’s success. “First and foremost, I want to thank the ice rink’s staff as well as the PAL volunteers. Their hard work and dedication are the reasons the rink had been able to operate seamlessly for so many years.” First Selectwoman Jen Tooker added that, “It is wonderful to see friends and families skating at the rink and there is little doubt that it will continue to be a popular winter destination for the next twenty-five years.”
The PAL Rink at Longshore has so much to offer. There is public skating, and the rink can also be reserved for private parties. Additionally, skating lessons are offered.
Please join us in celebrating the PAL Rink at Longshore’s 25th anniversary!
For more information about the PAL Rink at Longshore please go to: https://www.wpalrink.com
Verne O. Sedlacek, 67, Died; Respected Businessman, Philanthropist
Verne O. Sedlacek died suddenly of a heart attack on December 10, 2021, while vacationing in the Caribbean. Maura, his loving wife of 40 years, was by his side. He was 67 years old. Verne was a proud native of Havre, MT, where he was born May 20, 1954, to Vernon and Signe (Martinson) Sedlacek. He graduated from Havre High School in 1972. During his time at Havre High, he was a starting offensive tackle for the Blue Ponies football team, which won the Class A State Championship in 1970.
Verne attended Princeton University, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. While playing football at Princeton and hospitalized with an injury, Verne met his future wife, Maura Mitchell, who happened to be working as a nurse in that same hospital. They were married in the Princeton Chapel in October 1981, on a day that Verne called the happiest day of his life.
After graduating, he was employed by Arthur Andersen & Co. in New York City in their Audit Division while simultaneously studying Accounting at the New York University Graduate School of Business. After working with investment and Wall Street firms as clients at Arthur Andersen, Verne entered the world of investment management himself after being hired by Harvard Management Company, which manages Harvard University's endowment, in 1983. He worked there for 15 years, ultimately serving as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Verne moved with Maura to Boston, where their family became complete with the births of their two sons, Ryan and Connor. It was shortly thereafter that he developed his lifelong passion for the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics.
In 1998, Verne was hired as President of the John W. Henry & Company, an investment management business based in Westport, CT, to which Verne and his family moved shortly thereafter. Since then, he has resided in Westport, and his family still lives there today, having established deep roots in the community.
In 2003, Verne became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonfund, a not-for-profit organization providing investment management, advisory and consulting services to nonprofit institutions (primarily colleges and universities) in nearby Wilton, CT.
Verne was highly respected in the investment and endowment management fields for his insights and ability to identify and anticipate important trends affecting those industries. In 2013, the National Association of College and University Business Officers awarded Verne the Rodney H. Adams Endowment Award for his outstanding individual contributions to professional development activities in the area of university endowment and investment management. Verne was a steadfast believer in the power of philanthropic giving, responsible management and altruistic investment to ensure and improve the accessibility and quality of education for current and future generations.
Verne retired in 2015 but remained active on several boards of directors for financial, investment and educational organizations, providing investment and endowment management consulting services to several organizations. Verne had served on the board of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and on the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. At the time of his death, he was a senior fellow with the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver, Wash., on the investment committee for the William Penn Foundation, and on the Dean's Advisory Board of the Ancell School of Business at Western Connecticut State University. He was also a member of the boards of the Thrivent Mutual Fund Complex, Valparaiso University and the Museum of American Finance in New York City.
Verne was a devoted husband and father as well as a loving and generous man. He enjoyed annual beach vacations with extended family, date nights with his loving wife, and watching movies and Boston sports with his sons. Verne loved watching TV (from WWI documentaries to American Ninja Warrior), but also reading: he was rarely seen without a book in hand. His competitive nature was legendary in the family– whether it was football, ping-pong or Monopoly, he always wanted to win and would do whatever it took to do so. He was known to friends and family for his quick wit and self-deprecating humor, as well as his deep humility and heartfelt concern for the people around him.
Verne lived a full life dedicated to his family and friends and considered himself a very lucky man. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maura, sons Ryan and Connor, his brother Stuart, and many loving members of his extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Signe Sedlacek. His absence will be felt by his many friends and colleagues.
A funeral will be held in honor of Verne at St. Paul Westport in early January at an undecided date. Further details will be forthcoming.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 9; State Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations both Down
The Westport-Weston Health District reported 9 new COVID-19 cases for Westport over the past 24 hours. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 7.14% while hospitalizations were down 6 patients, totaling 710 patients across the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 2,309 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 32 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 7.14% [down from 7.15%]
State Hospitalizations: 710 patients [-6]