Chamber Of Commerce Honors Westport "First Citizens"
Award recipients Charlie Haberstroh, Founder and CEO of CastleKeep Investment Advisors (L) and Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce honored Charlie Haberstroh, Founder and CEO of CastleKeep Investment Advisors, and Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library who were this year’s First Citizen Award recipients. This was the return of the First Citizen Award gala dinner since the pandemic.
The event was attended by many notables including Senator Bluementhal, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, former First Selectman Jim Marpe, former Second Selectman Avi Kaner, State Senator Cici Maher, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor and other leading citizens.
Above: Bill Harmer with his family, and Charlie Haberstroh with his family
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
“We have selected a fine and admirable mix of awardees this year,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Each year the board looks for one nonprofit and one traditional businessperson and these dedicated individuals stood out and represent what is best in our town for their work ethic, generosity and how they approach business.”
“It is a distinct honor to be recognized by a community that has given my family so much since we moved here in 1990. Whether it's long nights on the baseball fields, picturesque sunsets at Compo Beach or digging out of the sand hazards at the Longshore golf course, I cherish the many memories and experiences in Westport,” said Charlie Haberstroh. Since I founded my investment advisory firm, 2000, I've also had the privilege of giving back to the community through public service. I was inspired to do so by my wife and by Bill Meyer who also inspired many who continue to serve Westport.”
“I am deeply humbled and moved by this recognition by my friends at the Chamber of Commerce for frankly doing work that I absolutely love and am extremely passionate about,” said Bill Harmer. “Thanks also to my staff and our Board of Trustees who consistently support our vision and allow me to be a part of this magnificent place we call Westport and the Westport Library.”
The keynote speaker this year will be Richard Blumenthal, Senior U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut, having previously served as the State’s Attorney General.
Also receiving awards will be four “Young Entrepreneurs,” Marley Brown, Akhila Kooma, Addison Moore and Jamie Semaya seniors from Weston and Staples High Schools, for their efforts in creating new and intriguing business ventures.
“What a wonderful group of innovative kids, they truly embody the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Barbara Reynolds Chairman of the Board of the Chamber. “They have executed at a higher level and deserve these accolades. Congratulations to all.”
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Elmo Learns A Trade
Elmo is a 5 month old yellow labrador retriever who is a bright and energetic puppy and is now in his initial phase of learning to learn a specialized and highly valuable trade. He is learning to become a seeing eye dog who may eventually become the "eyes" for a sight impaired person, enabling them to live a more productive and independent life.
Elmo was on a training walk through Westport Thursday night. He was in a puppy class along with his Guiding Eyes for the Blind volunteer puppy raiser Jared Malise who was also being trained by Maureen Hollis, regional puppy instructor for the organization.
Elmo and his puppy raiser Jared were working on a polite greetings with people they passed by who were delighted to show Elmo some puppy love. They had just worked on another element of his training, settling on a bench in a public setting so Elmo could learn how to ignore dogs and people passing by while remain calm and connected. Elmo is training to be a future guide dog for a sight impaired individual. Jared is a volunteer puppy raiser who has taken Elmo into his home to raise him till he goes in for formal harness training and is teaching him basic manners, obedience and socialization to human experiences for his first year of life.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs to people with vision loss. Said Maureen Hollis, "we are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide all services completely free of charge to people who are blind or experiencing vision loss. At Guiding Eyes, we rely upon the contributions of our generous donors to fulfill our mission."
They are also currently in great need of puppy raisers or sitters in the Connecticut area and New York areas. Said Hollis "We could not complete our mission without wonderful volunteers like Jared and his wife Andrea helping us by taking our puppies and giving them the skills they need to make it to harness training!"
To learn more and to help this great organization visit them at www.guidingeyes.org or by calling 800-942-0149.
Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Air Quality Issues Leave Westport Beaches Nearly Empty Thursday
Old Mill Beach had virtually no visitors on Thursday, except for those pictured below
Photos & Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Old Mill Beach gate guard confirmed the beach was groomed early Thursday morning and by end of day it was clear from the lack of footprints that there were almost no visitors that day. It was much the same at Compo Beach. The exception here is clearly the more than a score of shorebirds who were taking advantage of the ebb current, the receding tide, to score an easy dinner.
There were more than a dozen Black Crowned Night Herons including a juvenile (brown feathers) who were joined by several both Snowy and Great Egrets as well as the omnipresent seagulls. The only activity was the jostling for position among these beautiful shorebirds to get the best "seat at the table" so to speak.
Westport Installs Bike Repair Stations To Aid Cyclists
Photos & Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
You may have noticed these unusual looking black, tubular objects in several Westport locations and wondered what they are. They are in fact "Fixit" repair stations for helping cyclists traveling through town who may encounter mechanical issues with their bicycles.
They are made by Dero, a company specializing in all things bike related, which offers a myriad of products from various types of bike racks to bike shelters and lockers and more to a global market. Riders simply lift their bikes onto the horizontal hanger bars which allows the pedals and wheels to spin freely while making adjustments, and then utilize the various tools which hang from secured stainless steel cables. Available tools include screw drivers, multiple sized allen and box wrenches, a Torx wrench and tire levers.
Above, Dominic, 6 years old and sister Cordelia, 5 of Westport discover the "Fixit" bike repair station newly installed at the Jesup Green parking lot.
Click on an image to enlarge
The “Fixit” bike repair stations came about at the suggestion of RTM member and avid cyclist Peter Gold who brought the idea to Public Works Director Peter Ratkiewich. They felt that with all the expenditures for transit, new sidewalks and other projects enhancing travel through and about town, a small investment supporting the many cycling enthusiasts and casual riders would be welcome addition to town amenities. They looked at popular bike travel routes including downtown and town beaches and determined the locations for the stations would be the Jesup Green parking lot behind the library, the rear of Town Hall, and both Compo and Old Mill beaches.