Westport Library Double-Header Concert Weekend Sunday Show: Mark Naftalin Presented Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman
Famed keyboardist and noted producer and radio host Mark Naftalin once again brought his talents to The Westport Library, on Sunday, November 20th, the third installment of the Library's ultra-popular Blue Sunday series.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A capacity crowd was on it's feet more than once as they enjoyed the one and only "Beehive Queen" Christine Ohlman with special guest Willie J. Laws, along with Mark Naftalin & The Blue Sunday Band featuring Crispin Cioe, Paul Gabriel, and JD Seem.
The show was a perfect fit for the Library's beautiful Trefz Forum which is a versatile, cutting-edge space. The Trefz Forum is a premier tri-state area venue for performances, concerts, film screenings, lectures, and more. It features a concert stage, an 18-foot x 10-foot Digital Projection Radiance LED screen, state-of-the-art sound, theatrical lighting, video and digital projection, and seating for 400+ people (600 standing).
Presented by The Westport Library and Verso Studios, this series is produced by Naftalin, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame who rose to fame as the keyboardist with the influential Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 32. West wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 51. West wind 3 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Clear, with a low around 30. Light north wind.
Governor Announces State Credit Rating Increased; “Connecticut is getting its mojo back”
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has received notification from credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) that it is increasing Connecticut’s general obligation bond credit rating from A+ (positive) to AA- (stable). This credit rating increase follows increases in 2021 by several other agencies, including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Kroll.
Prior to Governor Lamont taking office, Connecticut had not experienced an increase in its credit rating since February 2001.
Governor Lamont said, “Connecticut taxpayers should celebrate today’s news. This credit rating increase will mean lower costs for critical projects that move our state forward. It is a signal to the businesses and residents that our state is on the right financial path, that we have shown a commitment to putting our fiscal house in order, and we are continuing to make significant progress to address our pension and other postemployment benefit liabilities. S&P recognizes the progress that has been made and that Connecticut is getting its mojo back.”
Secretary Beckham said, “As we develop next year’s budget, this credit rating increase sends strong signals for how we should proceed in the future. The budget we release in February will include an extension of the bond covenants that S&P stated as a key reason for our upgrade. If we are going to continue the positive progress made under this administration, those bond covenants and associated benefits must be a part of the final budget bill.”
In its notice to investors that was released today, S&P said, “The upgrade on the state’s GO debt reflects our view of Connecticut’s sustained positive financial results and building of high reserve levels during a recent period of economic and revenue growth, while also demonstrating its commitment to structural budget balance and curbing future growth of the state’s very high debt, pension, and other postemployment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, which we expect will continue in future biennial budgets. Connecticut’s overall credit improvement is also underscored by the executive branch’s announcement and intent to extend statutory financial controls in the next biennial budget proposal, which supports our view that the state remains more firmly committed to these provisions for the foreseeable future.”
Joseph Louis Veno, 96, Died; Born in Saugatuck, WWII Navy Veteran
Joseph Louis Veno passed away peacefully on November 16, 2022, at the age of 96. Joseph was born on May 10, 1926, in Saugatuck, Connecticut to Louis and Mary (Dorta) Veno and was a lifelong resident of Westport and Norwalk.
As a teen, he worked as a caddie at Longshore Country Club and enjoyed swimming in the Saugatuck River. At age seventeen, Joseph enlisted in the Navy where he served on the USS Apollo submarine tender in the Pacific during WWII. After his return from the war, Joseph met and married the love of his life, Madeline (Cenatiempo) Veno. They settled in Norwalk, Connecticut and had three sons, Louis, Joseph Jr. and Steven.
Joseph had a tireless work ethic and worked in the flooring industry as a business owner and expert installer of linoleum, tile and carpet. He later worked at St. Thomas the Apostle church in Norwalk, St. Cecilia church in Stamford and Christ & Holy Trinity church in Westport until he retired at the age of 85. He returned to Saugatuck in 1997 and lived in the same building where he had once attended elementary school. He lost his beloved wife, Madeline, twenty years ago in November 2002.
Joseph was a faithful Catholic who appreciated the simple joys of life. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and took great pride in their accomplishments. He loved Italian food, ice cream sundaes and baseball (the New York Mets), and kept an exceptionally clean home. He also enjoyed countless visits to Compo beach with his brother, Angelo Veno, and other friends. He maintained an active social calendar and met regularly with his friends. His sharp memory allowed him to share detailed stories from his youth well into his tenth decade, recalling Saugatuck at a time when Italian families shared a communal baking oven and kept pigs and chickens.
Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Madeline, brother Angelo and sister Ida. Joseph is survived by his sons, Louis Veno (Marlene), Joseph Veno, Jr. (Anne), Steven Veno (Sara), his sister Theresa Valentine (Richard), grandchildren Alison Larsen (Jared), Jason Veno (Lauren), Tyler Veno, Michael Veno (Kristin), Nicole Veno, Natalie Veno, Steven Veno, Jr., Brendan Veno, Christopher Veno (Courtney), and great-grandchildren Spencer, Trevor, Benjamin, Lucia and Nicholas. He is also survived by Sylvia Pack, whose companionship he was blessed with in his later years.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT, followed by a graveside service with full military honors at 12:15 p.m. at St. John's Cemetery, 223 Richards Ave., Norwalk, CT.
The Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street in Historic Norwalk has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com to leave an online condolence.