High Tide along Hills Point
The sidewalk along Hills Point Road was busy as high tide rose to meet it this afternoon. WestportLocal.com photo
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.
High Tides
2:24 AM / 2:54 PM
Low Tides
8:49 AM / 9:05 PM
MaryLou Bell, 83, Died; Staples Class of ‘56, Beloved Westporter
MaryLou Bell, 83, of Westport, CT, died Thursday, June 30, 2022 peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.
MaryLou is survived by her daughter Kathy Santarella and husband Scott of Westport, CT; son Bob Stephens and wife Marybeth of Suffolk, VA; her six grandchildren, Jordan & Jamie Santarella, Weston, Tyler, Ashley & Will Stephens; her sister and brother-in-law Annette & AJ Izzo of Westport, CT; her brother-in-law Ray Barry and his wife Linda of Fairfield, CT. She is also survived by many cousins (especially her 'ABC' cousins) and many cherished nieces and nephews.
MaryLou was preceded in death by her spouse of 35 years, William E. Bell in 2000, and her youngest sister Angela M. Doddo in 2001.
MaryLou was born in Norwalk, CT to the late Patsy and Antonette Doddo. She was the eldest of three daughters and a lifelong Westport resident. She graduated from Staples High School in 1956.
MaryLou was a well-loved and respected local banker. She began her banking career with The Westport Bank & Trust company while in high school, often telling stories of sun-bathing on her lunch breaks with fellow employees on the roof of the downtown building which is now home to Patagonia. She amassed a loyal customer base during her career which would faithfully follow her to the newest bank branch in her capacity as Branch Manager, AVP. Throughout the years she worked with Connecticut Bank & Trust, The Bank of Darien, The Bank of Westport and many others, ending her career in 2012 at Fairfield County Bank.
She enjoyed her annual NYC outings with her network of bank colleagues, taking in Broadway shows and dinner. Her vacations in North Truro on Cape Cod were very special to her. She volunteered her time at the Westport Sons of Italy's Festival Italiano, the Westport PAL's Annual Memorial Golf Tournament and was a member of the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club. She was very active in local politics during the 1970's and 1980's as a member of the Republican Town Committee and Save Westport Now. She had multitudes of friends, co-workers and customers whom she loved very much. She always enjoyed spending time at the Westport Senior Center and sharing laughs with her friends and family. She was fiercely independent, a straight-shooter and was never afraid to express her thoughts to others. MaryLou lived life "her way."
MaryLou's family would like to thank her exceptional caregivers Millie and Thomasine for providing friendship along with compassionate care during the years MaryLou was not able to care for herself.
Friends may greet the family on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 4-7pm at Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:00 am. Entombment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in MaryLou's memory to the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice
Bright Blooms for Bradley Street
Pastel blues and pinks of hydrangea blooms greet those traveling down Bradley Street in a quintessential New England summer scene. WestportLocal.com photo
Morning Weather Report
Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 85. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then a chance of showers between 9pm and 3am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 66. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 62. West wind 3 to 6 mph.
High Tides
1:45 AM / 2:16 PM
Low Tides
8:12 AM / 8:24 PM
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 41 over past Two Days; State Positivity Rate Up, Hospitalizations Down
The State Department of Public Health reported 41 more cases in Westport over the past two days. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 9.85% while State hospitalizations were down 12 at 242 patients.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,309 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 37 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.85% [up from 8.69%]
State COVID-19 Hospitalizations: 242 patients
Westport PAL Fireworks Return to Thrill Thousands at Compo Beach
Spectacular Fireworks Display returns to Compo Beach thanks to Westport PAL, Town of Westport and Melissa & Doug
After being denied one of Westport's most cherished summer events for two years due to the COVID pandemic, Westport's biggest party by far came home to Compo Beach. Thanks to Westport PAL, the Town, and of course the continued tremendous generosity by Westport's Melissa and Doug Bernstein and their eponymous company: the skies lit up once again on Thursday night.
Some brought coolers and blankets, other erected illuminated tents adorned with various forms of Old Glory that began arriving earlier in the day with their owners returning later to get the party started.
Disaster was averted by the quick response of Westport and Norwalk marine units who assisted the crew of Fireworks by Grucci in dousing a fire abroad one of the barges before any real harm was done; the show not really interrupted.
Westport PD kept the traffic flowing freely capping of a great and memorable night for Westport and area families.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Grammy Winner Falu Delights Children, Young & Old At Levitt Pavilion For The Arts Summer Children's Concert Series
Critically lauded, Indian born world musician Falu (aka Falguni Shah) who won her first GRAMMY® award in 2022 for in Best Children's Album category for her latest album "A Colorful World" (Broadway World Music) brought her upbeat, high-energy show to the Levitt Pavilion on Wednesday. Her talents and creativity was on full display with various styles of music geared for children which included Bhangrah, the music well represented in many "Bollywood" movies made each year in her native India.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
More than 1,000 free ticket holders, children, parents and grandparents were thoroughly entertained by this world musician who taught some Bhangra moves to the audience for some of her songs. Focusing on inclusivity for children and families, her third song was performed after she requested bi-lingual children to join her on stage to teach the crowd a few words in tier second language, which included Spanish, Polish, even Arabic and also her own Hindi.
The Levitt Pavilion For The Arts Summer Children's series continues with the return of the very popular Joanie Leeds who was the 2021 Grammy winner for Best Children's Album. The children's series happens on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM
Free performances are happening all weekend and on Tuesday, July 5, comedy by John Tobin Productions returns for the season's second Comedy Night at 7:00 PM.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Property Transfers: June 13th - 17th; Highest Sale at $8.5 Million on Stony Point Road
5 Stony Point Road, sitting on the banks of the Saugatuck River, sold for $8.5 million. Smart MLS Photo. Westport Town Clerk’s Office:
Total Conveyance Tax: $143,143.75
Total Sales: $57,257,500.00
Highest Transfer Price: 5 Stony Point Road: $8,500,000
Lowest Transfer Price: 112 Easton Road: $621,000
Transfers:
5 Stony Point Road: $8,500,000
131 Beachside Avenue: $6,800,000
10 Minute Man Hill: $6,500,000
3 Webb Road: $3,150,000
12 Sandhopper Trail: $2,858,000
27 Edgewater Hillside: $2,800,000
99 Hills Point Road: $2,800,000
15 Beechwood Lane: $2,700,000
9 Tamarac Road: $2,070,000
4 Crawford Road: $2,076,500
49 Wright Street: $1,900,000
15 Reimer Road: $1,838,000
10 Dexter Road: $1,835,000
330 Compo Road South: $1,725,000
23 Fairfield Avenue: $1,650,000
41 Wright Street: $1,430,000
183 Newtown Turnpike: $1,290,000
7 Colony Road: $1,125,000
193 Newtown Turnpike: $1,100,000
45 Westfair Drive: $838,000
3 Clinton Avenue: $776,000
34 Franklin Street: $750,000
112 Easton Road: $621,000
NWS: Slight Chances of Severe Weather this Weekend
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center: The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of the area in a slight risk for severe thunderstorms for Saturday and we wanted to provide you with a brief update.
A few showers and thunderstorms are possible this evening, tonight and into Saturday morning. These showers and thunderstorms may contain locally heavy rain and gusty winds. Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon and evening which may become severe.
There remains a great deal of uncertainty regarding timing and coverage of any thunderstorm activity.
Locations:
The Lower Hudson Valley, northeast New Jersey, New York City metro, southern Connecticut, and much of Long Island.
Impacts:
Damaging wind gusts (>58 mph) and hail (=1 inch diameter) are the main threats from any thunderstorms that develop. Localized flash flooding is also possible.
Timing:
Most likely Saturday afternoon and evening. Early morning thunderstorms are also possible, especially across CT and eastern Long Island.