Indian-American Community Celebrates The Diwali Festival In Stamford
Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, was celebrated by the Connecticut chapter of GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) in partnership with the Ferguson library and the Stamford Mayor's Multicultural Council (MMC) with traditional music, dance, Mehendi, Indian snacks and a rangoli exhibition.
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Diwali, which is a major festival in the Indian sub-continent, celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Diwali is now a public holiday in many US towns and cities including New York.
The performances by local dance schools showcased the diversity of India with classical, fusion, folk as well as Bollywood dances. Indian delicacies served after the event were enjoyed by all.
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In these three photos above, girls from the Stamford chapter of Hindi USA are performing the Deepvandana stotram in dance form at GOPIO- CT's annual Diwali celebration in collaboration with the Stamford Mayor's multicultural council and the Ferguson library. In Hindu Sanatan Dharma, the tradition of lighting a lamp in the early morning hours and in the evening at sunset is more than 5000 years old. Any auspicious occasion, be it a festival, a wedding or a puja, is initiated with the lighting of a lamp. Diwali or Deepawali (meaning row of deeps/diyas little lamps) is celebrated by lighting little diyas or lamps as it falls on New moon day, to remove the darkness, representing victory of light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance. Fire from a diya symbolizes purity and enlightenment.
The dancers pictured above include: Chandrala Kulkarni, Saanvi Kulkarni, Shreya Perinkulam, Saesha Gianchandani, Ishika Rao, Ipsika Bokka, Hansika Janna
The event was a culmination of the flawless team work between three organizations. Everyone came together to spend the afternoon immersed in the culture, heritage and colors of the Diwali, the festival of lights.
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Fading Autumn Colors At Longshore
David and Jennifer, who live across Compo Road from the golf course enjoy the fading colors of autumn on a few trees still have their orange and rust colored leaves, as they stroll down the allée at Longshore with their Border Collie Mac and their Poodle-Aussie mix Ada.
Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Police: Missing Westport Teen is Found
Westport Police Press Release
The Westport Police Detective Bureau worked this case throughout the day on Sunday, following numerous tips that lead to New York City. Through the use of Law Enforcement sharing and social media platforms, The Westport Police Department was able to track Maxwell [redacted] to a New York City Library in the vicinity of Grand Central Station. Our Detectives ultimately reunited Maxwell with his family at approximately 5:00 PM. Westport Police want to thank the Public, our Law Enforcement Partners and the Media in assisting us to reunite this family.
UPDATE: LOCATED - Westport Searches for Missing Teenage Boy; Call Police with Any Info
Westport Police Department Press Release: On November 18, 2023, at approximately 3:30pm Westport Police responded to a report of a missing 15-year-old juvenile from the Newman’s Preservatory Trail off 307-309 Bayberry Lane. [personal information redacted]
Maxwell is a Caucasian male, approximately 5’7” tall, 125 pounds, with long brown surfer style haircut. Last seen wearing navy blue shorts and a navy-blue sweatshirt
Maxwell has been entered as a Missing Person.
Anyone with information that can help locate Maxwell is urged to call the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.
A photograph of Maxwell is attached
Craft Westport 2023 Unofficially Launches The Holiday Shopping Season
There was something for everyone at last weekend’s Craft Westport, a premier event for the Westport Young Women’s League which was held at Staples High School last weekend.
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This cherished holiday tradition has been held in Westport for 46 years and is one of our first stops for unique, beautiful gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah. This curated show featured 175 artists and artisans from across the country, in genres including jewelry, ceramics, photography, fine art, works on paper, glass, metal, fashion and accessories, and sculpture. The exceptional offerings were as varied as they were beautiful running the gamut from one-of-a-kind fine jewelry of every type and style to hand-made soaps, and everything in between. There were several photographers with stunning images from around the world, striking sculptures, hand blown and stained glass, abstract and contemporary paintings, and artwork home decor items and Hebrew themed Hanukkah gifts including custom Talitot, greeting cards, even neckties. There were fashions for all ages and accessories to accompany them. Indeed, there was something for every taste and style.
Below is just one example of the creative and unusual offerings at Craft Westport 2023.
Attendance this year seemed down somewhat according to several vendors. Saturday was the better of the two days with Sunday being slower. It may be that th I-95 bridge replacement which wreaked havoc on Westport roads two weekends ago may have discouraged some visitors from attending this year’s event. There were several heavy traffic back-ups in town, however North Ave. and nearby roads were not too badly affected on Sunday.
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About Westport Young Women’s League:
Since its inception in 1956, the WYWL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has donated over $4.4 million through our community grants program. Over half that amount has been distributed in the past decade! Being a Westport, CT based nonprofit group, we prioritize our giving to nonprofit organizations in Westport and surrounding towns and cities in Fairfield County, CT.
CraftWestport and the Minute Man Race are the WYWL’s cornerstone fundraisers that allow us to fulfill our philanthropy by awarding grants to deserving non-profits that have demonstrated a need that aligns with the goals we support.
We are pleased to announce that in the 2023-2024 League year, the WYWL’s grants program will support the goals of: Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being and Supporting Underserved Women in our community. In addition, we have redesigned our program this year to have a larger and more measurable impact on our community by awarding a larger sum of money to fewer winners. For more information on how to apply, please visit Westport Young Women’s League and download our 2023-2024 grants application.
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I-95 Saugatuck Bridge Slide Again Ties Up Roads In Westport And Beyond
The second I-95 bridge replacement for the southbound lanes, or the “Slide” as it has come to be known was completed ahead of schedule, as was the northbound bridge replacement which was done two weekends ago WestportLocalPress - Bridge, and also, WestportLocalPress - Delays.
The traffic in town was again horrendous, with many roads having backups as late as 7:00PM, despite the fact that the work was completed and I-95 was opened hours earlier.
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I-95 as seen from the Sherwood Island connector shows near standstill traffic for miles, but less than one-half hour later as construction crews were pickup up traffic cones, viewed from Hillspoint Rd., traffic was starting to flow again.
Other main roads, such as Wilton Rd. and the Sherwood Island connector were a complete mess. The connector photos here shows drivers trying to somehow maneuver around the long back up to the I-95 southbound entrance ramp. Those who knew better could be seen pulling a U-Turn at the light at the top of the connector while others decided to endure what was an obvious traffic nightmare.
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In fact, the effects were felt as far north as Danbury and Newtown as notice of the closure of I-95 southbound caused drivers from Hartford, Boston and points east to use the highway as an alternative.
The radius for the tie-ups reached the Merritt Parkway as late as 7:00 PM, where some drivers didn’t get the memo as southbound lanes where slow-moving, bumper-to-bumper from Fairfield well into Norwalk and beyond.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Spectacular Sunday Sunset
South Beach Sunset on Sunday
There are often very beautiful sunsets which people can enjoy from Compo Beach or Sherwood Island State Park and on Sunday we were treated to another one of those gorgeous scenes. Here are the views from Compo Beach.
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Photos above taken from Compo Beach and the Ned Dimes Marina. Photos below are from Sherwood Island State Park.
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Wreckers Football Notches Big Win Against Trumbull, 35-18 At Home
Staples was in control most of the game, with Anthony Armentano returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, sparking a Staples victory over FCIAC rival Trumbull. The Eagles, (now 3-5) had their work cut out for them facing a very strong Wreckers squad which had only one defeat this season and are now 7-1 with this big win.
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A balanced running attack led by Sr QB Caleb Smith, Alex Fiala and Junior Armentano provided most of the offense for the 7-1 Wreckers. Smith continues to be excellent at QB passing for 102 yards and scrambling for another 48 yards. The defense played a gritty game against Trumbull’s run heavy offense. Adding to the offensive punch was senior tight end Ryan Skolnick who grabbed three key receptions as well, gaining 75 yards.
Head Coach Adam Behrends (above) and his coaching staff address the team post game, complimenting them on their victory over Trumbull and advising them on weak moments and getting them charged up for their next game.
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Staples Wall Of Fame Inducts 10 New Members At Halftime Ceremony
10 New members were inducted into the Staples Wall Of Fame Friday night at halftime of the Staples-Trumbull football game.
The Staples “Wall of Fame” was unveiled November 23, 1995, and was built to serve as a very public and important display of the many players, coaches and other whose skill, dedication and excellence have withstood the test of time and brought positive notice to themselves,
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Staples High School, Wreckers Football. and the Town of Westport since its first season of 1930. With the first year class of 1995 seeing 13 members admitted to the football "Hall of Fame" the list now contains 71 names representing the best 82 years of Wreckers football. The new members inducted, included Staples Assistant Principal James Farnen.
Wrecker Girls Soccer Falls To St. Joe’s In FCIAC Championship Heartbreaker
The Staples Wreckers Girls Soccer team fought valiantly in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference championship game in New Canaan yesterday against an undefeated St. Joe’s of Trumbull team but were defeated 2-1 in overtime.
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The efforts of both team’s goalkeepers resulted in a scoreless game in regulation, and the Cadets scored two goals in the overtime. It looked grim for the Wreckers but they continued a very physical battle and answered with a goal by Evelyn Chudowsky but were unable to achieve that second goal in the OT period. St. Joe’s won their second straight FCIAC championship.
Coach Barry Beattie was effusive in his praise of his team, telling WestportLocalPress, “Last night was a hard fought loss against a good team. It marks another successful season so far with the Staples girls. They continued their great run with another final appearance. This group of seniors have played in every championship final that has been on offer since they started as freshman so I can only be proud. All season long they have train hard everyday with a focus to compete at the top end of the table & hopefully be in a position to win a trophy”.
“From the start of the season we’ve had goals from the Chudowsky sisters, Neva Mermegan, & Annabel Edwards. The midfield with Leigh Foran and Talia Moskowitz is relentless in the work rate and the back forth is always so consistent with Coco Crombie and Gaby DeBrito at central defense. We have reliable players that are full of talent, dedication and skill that all want to represent their school in the best way possible” Beattie continued saying, “Yet again they done that this season”.
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“With the state tournament round the corner we have more games to look forward to and we will be working hard to make sure we are in with a chance of winning it again. As their coach in very proud of this team and their accomplishments but I’m more proud of how they represent themselves on the elite level at every given chance”.
The Wreckers will attempt to round from this disappointing loss at home on Wednesday @ 2pm against the winner of the Hall v. Brien McMahon match in the CIAC State Championship series where they are seeded third. We wish them the best of luck as they take the pitch next.
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