No Westport COVID-19 Cases Reported Today
The State Department of Public Health reported no COVID-19 cases in Westport over the past day, a first for many weeks. The State positivity rate was down to 9.57% while 407 people remain hospitalized around the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,886 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 40 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.57% [up from 9.15%]
Morning Weather Report
Today
Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 61. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind.
Elmer Stannard, 89, Died; Purple Heart Recipient, Staples High Graduate
Elmer E. Stannard, 89 of Wilton, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2022 surrounded by family members.
He was born in Ridgefield, CT to Helen Minnerly Stannard and Elmer Wilton Stannard. Upon graduating from Staples High School in Westport, Elmer joined the United States Marine Corps where he fought in the Korean War and received the Purple Heart. After service, he went on to work for his father as a plumber and eventually took over the business Stannard Plumbing & Heating in 1985. In his free time he was an accomplished skeet shooter who won numerous competitions.
Elmer is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Nan Pat Carusone Stannard, his daughter Debbie Cowic and husband Brian, 4 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 1 niece and 2 nephews.
A Funeral Service will take place for Elmer on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church St. Georgetown (Wilton) CT 06829. Interment will immediately follow at Hillside Cemetery, Wilton. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 or https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate . To offer online condolences to the family, please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com
Tom Kiely Named Town of Westport Operations Director
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker announced today that she has appointed Thomas D. Kiely to the position of Operations Director for the Town of Westport effective immediately.
Mr. Kiely is a graduate of Plymouth State University, Plymouth N.H., where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Management. His professional experience is in law enforcement with the Connecticut State Police, serving 21 years in various roles and supervisory positions including 11 years as a Detective with Major Crimes. During that time, he established positive working relationships with a number of local, state and federal agencies.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Kiely has received numerous honors and leadership accolades, including Outstanding Service Awards issued by the State Police, United States’ Attorney’s Office District of Connecticut Department of Justice Award and multiple Unit Citation Awards in recognition of his outstanding service and performance for exceptional investigative efforts.
Mr. Kiely stated, “My entire professional life has been in public service. I am very excited to begin a new career as the Operations Director of this great community. I look forward to meeting new people, accepting new challenges, and collaborating with the team of town employees, business owners, and residents – confident that I bring a fresh perspective and life experience to this important role in town government.”
First Selectwoman Tooker said, “I welcome Tom in his new role as Operations Director. I know that his experience and skill-set are well suited to this unique position within the Selectwoman’s Office. I am looking forward to a positive working relationship where we are able to accomplish the many goals my administration has set on behalf of all Westporters. I am also excited to introduce him to our community including the residents, business owners, and the employees that make Westport the best place in the region to live, work and play.”
She added, “I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to Town Audit Manager and Senior Accountant Lynn Scully. Her work throughout the time that she served as the Interim Operations Director was exceptional. Her input, advice and guidance as she deftly managed the multiple jobs that we asked her to perform on behalf of the Town were invaluable, and we owe her a debt of gratitude.”
Halloween Window Painters Needed for 2022 Chamber of Commerce Contest
Calling all painters! The annual Halloween Window Painting Contest will take place on Saturday October 22. Painters wanted.
Last year over 100 children from the area painted scary scenes on windows offered by local businesses. Participants can paint their own window or in teams with friends. Judging will take place in the following days and winners will receive a gift certificate from Gofer Ice Cream.
Sign up is at www.westportwestonchamber.com/halloween
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 5
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: 5,886 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 40 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.15% [down from 9.51%]
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.