Stunning Sunset on the Sound
Tonight’s sunset resulted in a vibrant skyline over the Long Island Sound. Photo by Cami Vynerib.
Lynn Murray (Lucke) Lutkin, 87, Died; Staples High School Class of ‘52
Lynn Murray (Lucke) Lutkin passed away peacefully on October, 23, 2022. She was born in Flushing, Long Island, NY on November 7, 1934, to Frank Leo Lucke and Marion (Krelwitz) Lucke.
Lynn and her older sister Ann grew up in Wilton CT. After graduating from Staples High School in 1952, Lynn attended and graduated from Green Mountain Junior College in Poultney, VT. She later attended the University of Bridgeport and Colorado State University. Lynn married Russell Dieffenbach in 1957, and they had three sons, Russell, Michael and Paul. She later married Maurice Lutkin, combining her three children and his four children onto one family.
Lynn's earlier years were spent in New Jersey and Connecticut, with later moves to Massachusetts, New York, Montana and finally to Colorado in 1973. She also had a one-year sabbatical in New Mexico. Lynn's passion beyond her family was art in all forms. After finishing school at Green Mountain Junior College, she worked at Norcross Greeting Cards and later at Time-Life. Lynn then began her teaching career in art in the Poudre School District upon her move to Fort Collins, CO in 1973. She taught art at various levels and different schools within the district. She was promoted to Art Administrator for the Poudre School District and maintained that position until retiring. During her career, she was named Art Teacher of the Year in 1983 and served as National Chairperson for the Youth Art Month through NAEA.
After retirement, she continued her passion for teaching by leading art classes at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO and at the senior center in Fort Collins. During her retirement, Lynn loved to travel to different countries, with trips to Africa, the Philippines and many European countries. In 2003 she connected with Don Hallowell, a friend of many years who was her partner until his passing in 2016. Lynn was also active in her retirement by attending classes at the senior center in Fort Collins, as a member of a hiking group, book club and bridge club.
Lynn loved being active and social and always had an event to look forward to.
Lynn is survived by her three sons, Russ (Judy) Lutkin, with their children Kyle Lutkin, Mallory Lutkin and Audrey (John) McAndrews and son Mason; Michael (Karrie) Lutkin, children Andrew Lutkin and Jordan (Ryan) Cody with children Cooper, Wyatt and Liam; and Paul (Tammy) Lutkin, with their children Katalyn Lutkin and Leandra Lutkin. She is also survived by her sister Ann, and step-children Chris, Debbie, Chinery and Beth. We love you Mom and rest in peace. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 1 at 11 AM at Allnutt Funeral Home on 650 W Drake Road in Fort Collins.
Published by Greeley Tribune on Oct. 26, 2022.
Kim Ann Angell Thorstenson, 57, Died; Staples Grad, “tenacity and strength unmatched”
Kimberly 'Kim' Ann Angell Thorstenson- beloved mother, sister, daughter, and friend- passed away on October 22, 2022, at the age of 57 in Chattanooga, TN.
Kimberly grew up in Upstate New York, graduated Staples High School in Westport CT, and attended the American School of Paris while living in France. She graduated with honors in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1987, and earned a masters in business administration from University of TN, Chattanooga.
She was a member and former president of the Kappa Alpha Theta Women's Fraternity, and graduated with numerous accolades and honors. Kimberly also excelled in business, and was recognized as one of the top employees during her career working at IBM.
After moving to Signal Mountain in 1994, Kim invested her time and energy into helping those in need, and acted as a leader in her community. Throughout the years, she was an active member and teacher in the Church, a CASA representative for the Chattanooga Juvenile Courthouse, and served on the Signal Mountain Social Services board in Finance and Development. She was invariably and wholeheartedly dedicated to all of those in her life.
Kimberly's tenacity and strength was unmatched, and her brilliance was evident in every activity she participated in. She will be dearly missed, but will always be remembered for the devotion, authenticity, and kindness she consistently radiated, and will live on through the many lives she continues to touch.
Her family includes daughters Noelle Elizabeth Thorstenson, Jenna Claire Thorstenson, and Kaedra Mae Thorstenson, former husband Jon Thorstenson, parents Carol Dee Angell and David Roger Angell, and sisters Janet Angell Frink, Jennifer Angell Shannon, and Karyn Angell.
Memorial services will be held at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church (612 James Blvd, Signal Mountain, TN 37377) on Friday, October 28th at 11:00am with The Reverend Dr. Andy Cornett hosting and The Reverend Margaret Ferguson officiating. A reception will follow at the Chattanoogan Hotel (1201 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402) between 2pm and 5pm to congregate and pay respects.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Kim's name be made to Signal Mountain Social Services at signalmountainsocialservices.org
Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory, Battlefield Parkway.
Published by Heritage Funeral Homes & Crematory from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, 2022.
Westport Garden Club Accepts Statewide Awards and Citations
The Westport Garden Club received multiple awards and certificates of achievement at the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s 93rd Annual Awards Luncheon held at the Aquaturf Club in Plantsville, CT.
The club was awarded the ‘Club Certificate of Achievement- Arboreal’ for the planting of a Swamp White Oak at Grace K. Salmon Park on Imperial Avenue for “Oaktober 2021.” The club also won a ‘Certificate of Achievement- Historic, Memorial and Public Gardens’ for their 2022 renovation of the Nevada Hitchcock Garden located at the corner of Cross Highway and Weston Road. The garden was established in 1941 and was renovated to focus on native and pollinator plantings.
Andrea Turner received Certificate of Individual Achievement for her work as the club’s Horticultural Chair, honoring her for her efforts to further the club’s horticultural knowledge by sharing well researched and informative best practices at each club meeting.
The ‘Tribute Award in Landscape Design’ was awarded to Ellen Greenberg, a past President of the Westport Garden Club, for her leadership for projects in the club and within the community, involving a diverse array of partners including The Waltersville School Garden Project with Pivot Ministries, The Wakeman Town Farm Pollinator Gardens, a Kaboom playground project in Bridgeport, as well as her work with Aspetuck Land Trust on the Green Corridor Initiative and the Haskins Preserve Project.
WGC President Ginger Donaher commented on the club’s awards, “We are very proud of the civic beautification work we do within our town, as well as our involvement in various community outreach projects, all the while furthering our members’ interest and knowledge in best gardening practices.”
Affiliated with the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc., The Westport Garden Club of Westport, CT was founded in 1924 and consists of members who are united by an interest in gardening, a desire to further their gardening knowledge, participate in civic beautification and to promote conservation and environmental education.
For more information about The Westport Garden Club, updates related to the annual plant sale, events, and membership, please visit: https://westportgardenclub.org and follow the Westport Garden Club on Facebook: Westport Garden Club and Instagram: westportctgardenclub
Spooky & Adorable Creatures & Characters Swarm Main St. In Search Of Treats At Westport's Annual Halloween Parade
There was every imaginable character and creature, from Lions & Tigers & Bears (Oh, My!) to the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Dorothy, to vampires and Cookie Monster and even a 4 month old Oscar the Grouch in a garbage can carried by Dad. There were princesses of every kind, firemen and cops, dinosaurs and witches., There was a giant spider and a Rockford Peach (League oOf Their Own). Their were Minnions and even a giant inflatable bear handing out candy as they all went from store to store to be given their treats.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Veteran's Green Welcomed Them All For A Dance Party and Candy Give-Away
The annual DJ led dance party had both young and all finding their groove and showing off their best moves, truly a great time for all.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Morning Weather Report
Today
Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the evening.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Gang of Turkeys off Wilton Road
A gang of wild turkeys looked for some midday grub within a cemetery along Wilton Road. Photo by Brad Berman for WestportLocal.com
Emerging From The Pandemic, Critical Education Issues Discussed At Westport Library Forum
On Saturday a panel of education experts address issues of concern to parents, educators and students at a forum held at the Library and organized by Toni Boucher, candidate for state senate. Boucher, who is in a race with Democrat Ceci Maher to fill the vacancy in the 26th district which includes Westport created by Westport's Will Haskell who is retiring to attend law school at NYU. Ms. Boucher was the former co-Chairman of the CT State House and Senate Education, Higher Education and Children committees among others.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
A distinguished panel of experts in the field of education discussed what we have learned from the pandemic about teaching, learning, child development and mental health and how that knowledge may help moving forward in education. The panel included Joshua Aronson (Panel Facilitator), PhD, Associate Professor of Applied Psycology, Directs Mindful Education Lab, New York University; Morgaen Donaldson, PhD, Phillip E. Austin Endowed Professor of Education Policy and Leadership and Associate Dean for Research at the Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut; Peter Valentin, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Chairman of the Forensics Department, University of New Haven; Andrea Leonardi, Assistant Superintendent and Head of Special Services, Wilton Public Schools; Bianka Kortlan-Cox, VP-Legislation and Public Policy, Connecticut Association for the Gifted and Jesse Balis-Harris, Achievement First, Interim K-8 Chief of Schools.
The panel discussed issues and took questions from the audience of more than two dozen area parents and several ugh school students for nearly two hours.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Morning Weather Report
Today
Patchy drizzle with a chance of showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 70. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind.
Health District Gives Out Warning ahead of Halloween, “colorful pills could be mistaken for candy”
Aspetuck Health DistrictWith Halloween right around the corner, the Aspetuck Health District is encouraging the community to practice the following tips for a safer and fun-filled holiday:
When trick or treating, allow kids to only take candy and treats from trusted neighbors, family, and friends. Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home. Check wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.
Wear bright, reflective costumes or add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible; carry a flashlight. • Make sure your child can see! Masks and large hats or wigs can block vision. All costumes should be fire-resistant.
For older children who may be trick or treating without parental supervision, set a curfew and remind kids to stick with a group and check in with parents periodically.
If you are out driving, remember that kids tend to dart across streets and may not be paying attention to their surroundings. Slow down and keep your eyes peeled.
For general public awareness, the Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced an emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States. Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, these colorful pills could be mistaken for candy by children and young people. It has recently been reported that some fentanyl laced pills that look like candy have also been packaged in bags that look like popular Halloween candy. Authorities in California recently found the dangerous opioid inside boxes of Sweetarts, Skittles, and Whoppers.
Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is being pressed into fake pills or cut into heroin, cocaine, and other street drugs to drive addiction. Fentanyl is being seized in multiple forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk. Parents and caregivers need to be educated on current drug trends and have conversations with their children, as appropriate. For more information and tips about how to talk with your child about drugs, visit https://www.dea.gov/onepill. Stay alert and make sure there is more treats than tricks this Halloween!