Morning Weather Report
Today
Light rain. High near 55. Northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. North wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind 3 to 7 mph.
Susan Lloyd Debuts Art in Drew Friedman Art Space for October
The Westport Book Shop is pleased to welcome artist Susan Lloyd as guest exhibitor for the month of October at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place.
Susan is exhibiting an assortment of her two-dimensional shell art works, including mirrors and mosaics. “I’ve been making shell art for about 15 years now. My work started out more traditional, but has evolved to include skulls (plastic reproductions), old dolls, and Saints (because of their stories, and not for religious reasons). The color, shape and texture of the shells are all very important in the design of my work, as is the variety of shells used,” said Susan. Traditional shell art dates back to the Victorian era, with souvenir shell-covered boxes from Europe, and sailors’ Valentines from Barbados.
Susan is an exhibitor at the Annual Sanibel Shell Show, the oldest of its kind in the country, every March. She holds degrees in sculpture, studying jewelry and metalsmithing. “I am pretty handy with glue and a pair of tweezers,” said Susan.
Susan Lloyd’s artwork will be on exhibit at the Book Shop through October 31, 2022. All artwork on display is available for purchase (unless specified otherwise).
To see more of Susan’s work, visit her website: www.slloydshellart.com
Westport Book Shop, a nonprofit used book store, is downtown Westport’s only source for gently used and antiquarian books, vintage vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and audio books. It is located at 23 Jesup Road, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.
The Book Shop’s “Drew Friedman Art Place” is an area of the store dedicated to exhibiting the work of community artists year-round, on a rotating basis. Miggs Burroughs, a Trustee of the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, and a founding member of The Artists Collective of Westport, is curating these exhibits, which change monthly.
The art exhibit is open to the public during the Book Shop’s business hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays).
Ronald A. Caruso Died; “the most intelligent, kind, interesting and warm friend one could have.”
Ronald A. Caruso, son of Rocco and Josephine Palermo Caruso, and a long-time resident of Weston, died on August 5, 2022 at Meadow Ridge in Redding following a long illness.
Upon learning the news, a friend wrote to the family, “Life’s greatest moments are achieved with a special friend. Ron was that friend to me. He was the most intelligent, kind, interesting and warm friend one could have.”
Born in 1937, Ron grew up in Greenwich, where his family operated a successful iron working business and at which he worked as a boy.
After graduation from the College of the Holy Cross, he tried his hand at a variety of careers. With his good looks and engaging manner, he was always a top performer. In time, he found his niche and decided to become a teacher. He was initially employed by the Dover Delaware School System, lured away by the Weston School System, and ended his long teaching career at the Heathcote Elementary School in Scarsdale, NY. He had a creative, somewhat unconventional approach to education, which made him popular with both his students and parents alike. He was respected, even revered, by his peers. One of his former, fourth grade students recently wrote to him, “Mr. Caruso, you were the most influential and important instructor I ever had. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
During his summers and after retirement, Ron traveled extensively throughout the United States, Latin America, Russia, and Europe. Wherever he went, he would venture out on his own to meet and make friends with local people and enjoy unusual and authentic experiences.
Intrigued with far eastern culture, Ron studied Tai Chi in New York. He made lasting friendships with a diverse array of Tai Chi “brothers” and became so skilled himself that he was considered a master. Pupils would travel from far and wide to attend the Tai Chi classes he taught in the loft of his barn in Weston.
Ron was an avid bridge player, an enthusiastic golfer, and a lifelong learner with a book always at his side. His many accomplished students and extensive list of friends are his lasting legacy. All who knew him were charmed by his wit, intelligence, and generosity of spirit and they will miss him dearly.
Ron was pre-deceased by his older brother Frank Caruso and his younger brother Don Caruso.
There will be an informal celebration of his Ron’s life later in the Fall.
Those willing to perpetuate and honor Ron’s commitment to education may donate monies to the Mercy Learning Center 637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
“The Unit”: Westport Officers to Fight Traffic Issues after Community Outcry for Enforcement
The Westport Police Department announced today that it will be establishing a Traffic Safety Unit (the “Unit”) in early October. The Unit’s sole focus will be to mitigate the traffic related issues affecting the Westport community. This will include targeted motor vehicle enforcement on our area roadways with an emphasis on aggressive and distracted driving. Additionally, the officers in the Unit will host educational programs and forums where members of the community can meet with the Unit officers to share their concerns.
Over the past several months, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker organized a series of meetings where citizens were invited to meet with representatives from the Police, Fire, Public Works, and P&Z Departments to voice their traffic related issues and concerns. Ms. Tooker said, “Clearly, poor driving habits have become a major quality of life issue for our residents. So, Police Chief Koskinas and I are committed to making our roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The newly created Traffic Safety Unit is a vital step in accomplishing that goal.”
Police Chief Koskinas stated, “traffic safety has always been one of the police department’s top priorities and it is my belief that the new Traffic Safety Unit will have a positive effect on altering drivers’ behaviors.”
The Traffic Safety Unit will be comprised of two police officers – Scott Thompson and Dominique Carr. Officer Thompson joined the department in July of 2017. Prior to coming to Westport, he was an officer in Trumbull for thirty years. During his tenure with the Trumbull Police, Officer Thompson spent over sixteen years in its Traffic Unit. He is a certified motorcycle officer and is on Westport’s Accident Investigation Team. Officer Carr joined the department in November of 2020. Prior to coming to Westport, he spent two years with the Windsor Police Department. Officer Carr is a certified motorcycle officer.
Promoting safe and responsible driving is of the utmost importance to the Westport Police Department, so we ask the motoring public to do their part. Please drive carefully and obey all traffic laws.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 5 over Weekend; State Positivity Rate 9.15%
The State Department of Public Health reported 5 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the weekend. The State positivity rate was down to 9.15%.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,881 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 40 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.15% [down from 9.51%]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 15 to 17 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind 11 to 14 mph.
Tomorrow
A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Surf’s Up, Dude
Winds, waves, and some rain created an ocean-like scene at Compo Beach this weekend as high turf and red flag warnings continued through Sunday evening. WestportLocal.com photo
Thomas Buchanan Hood Jr., 65, Died; Longtime Westporter, Public Servant, Artist, Sailor
Thomas Buchanan Hood Jr., 65, a longtime resident of Westport, CT died on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City. Thomas was born in New Brunswick, NJ, and was predeceased by his parents, Thomas Buchanan Hood and Janice (Dowdy) Hood.
Thomas received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (“NJIT”). He later received an MBA from the University of Connecticut, and a Masters of Architecture from NJIT. Thomas had 40+ years of experience in the design, planning & construction of buildings, software engineering, advanced product development, marketing, and consulting.
Thomas enjoyed being involved in his community. He served two terms as a member of the Westport Flood and Erosion Control Board, and was appointed to the Westport Zoning Board of Appeals in 2018. He was also a member of the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston for more than 30 years; he served as a trustee for the church and sang in the church choir.
Thomas’s favorite activities were spending time with his family, painting, cooking, and being near the water. He was an avid sailor and member of both the Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT and the Mantoloking Yacht Club in Mantoloking, NJ.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Mary Jane (Pascale) Hood, and their children, Elizabeth (James Ifert) of Philadelphia, PA, Thomas and Meredith, both of Brooklyn, NY. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Hood Benz (Charles) of Mantoloking, NJ, and extended family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 6 from 4 - 8 PM at the Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk, CT. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Friday, October 7 at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston, 49 Weston Rd, Westport, CT.
Memorial contributions can be made to The American Diabetes Association.
Sirens: Accident Reported on I-95’s Southbound Lanes after Exit 17
First responders were dispatched to I-95 in the southbound lanes, between exits 17 and 16, for the report of a car accident with injuries at 2:30 this afternoon. No other information was made available by the State DoT.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 57. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Northeast wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.