Message Of Peace From Saugatuck Congregational
A well-lit peace symbol beckons passers-by to consider the message of the season in front of Westport’s Saugatuck Congregational church on the Post Road. The Church welcomed Reverend Kari J. Nicewander recently as Intentional Interim Pastor, posting this message on their website:
“It is with great joy that we introduce Reverend Kari J. Nicewander, who accepted our call to serve as our Intentional Interim Pastor. Kari’s first sermon as our pastor was Sunday, January 7. Kari comes to us with over twenty years of experience in ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ, most recently as Senior Pastor of Immanuel Church of Christ in Hartford. Please join us in welcoming her to Saugatuck!”
Positioned behind the peace symbol the Church spelled out in big blue & white letters, “Join us in welcoming our amazing new Pastor Kari”.
Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Greenwich Celebrate's St. Patrick's Day Again!
The Greenwich Hibernians Association held their 48th annual St. Patrick's Day Sunday on a beautiful, sunny day, marching down Greenwich Avenue past a couple of thousand “Irish For The Day” celebrants. Former Representative Town Meeting Moderator Thomas Byrne was chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Leading off the parade were more than two dozen police motorcycles from across Fairfield and Westchester counties. Representing Westport Police Department were Officer Rachel Hall (above, in front) a 10 year police veteran who has been with Westport PD for 8 of those years. Joining Hall was Officer Dominque Carr, (above, behind Hall) a 3 year Westport PD veteran.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Irish step dancers paused several time along the march down The Avenue to show off their skills.
Greenwich Fire Deparments once again proudly displayed their vintage firefighting apparatus which served them well in years gone by. Several current and former Miss and Mrs. Connecticuts brought their own touch of glamor to the procession, even a few pretty impressive watercraft “floated” their way down The Avenue.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Many spectators dressedfor the occasion and arrived early to stake out a good viewing position.
Many of the spectators looked more like participants as they displayed their finest St. Patrick’s Day attire and accessories.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Area bikers were up to the task of bringing the energy of the day front and center while Adopt-A-Dog brought their rescue pups, some of which had their own take on the celebration. Of course, the Shriners did their thing, weaving in and out and as usual there were a couple of breakdowns and those unhappy drivers could do nothing more than steer as they were towed the rest of the parade route.
Joining the parade this year was U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Greenwich resident.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, (bottom left), Erin Martschenko received her plaque as 2023 Girl’s Rugby coach of the year is also pictured surrounded by her team (2nd photo).
There were martial arts demonstrations performed by students of the White Tiger Tae Kwan Do dojo.
Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport PD Update On Yesterday’s Marine Rescue
First responders gather yesterday to effect the rescue of Saugatuck Rowing Club rowers when their boats capsized.
The Westport Police Department released an updated press release this morning regarding yesterday’s rescue of 29 members of the Saugatuck Rowing Club when their rowing sculls and chase boat capsized near Cockenoe Island when the weather quickly turned bad.
This morning’s press release:
Westport Police Marine Division continue the investigation into the boating incident. As of this morning, the following information is known:
* One of the capsized rowing sculls has not been recovered and is missing. The other two sculls were brought to Compo Marina last night.
* The “chase boat” that sank has been located, submerged near Cockeone Island, and will be recovered later this afternoon.
* Both rowers who were transported to Norwalk Hospital and treated for cold exposure have been released from the hospital.
* The total number of rowers/coaches involved in this incident stands at 29. We have determined that 19 people were in the water and 10 (9 rowers and 1 coach) were able to remain in their vessels.
* The investigation will focus on any weather advisories that were posted, available life jackets, experience of the rowers and coaches, and suitability of the vessels.
As the Chief stated last night, Westport Police are looking to help prevent this from happening again and we feel this investigation will aid in that mission.
Westport Police Update: An update on the ongoing situation was provided this afternoon, saying, ”the operation this afternoon to locate and recover the sunken ‘chase boat’ operation has been suspended. Weather conditions, small craft advisory, and some erroneous location information has guided this decision.
The Saugatuck Rowing Club released a statement today regarding the rescue of their rowers:
Mihaela Ungureanu, CEO of the rowing club said that they want “to understand the circumstances fully and to identify any areas where the club's safety measures can be improved.”
She said, “First and foremost, we are grateful that all 29 individuals involved in the incident are safe and accounted for," adding that "Two students had hypothermia and were taken to Norwalk Hospital, and they have recovered. Our rower’s well-being remains our utmost priority, and we commend the swift and effective response of the authorities involved in ensuring their rescue."
Another view of the first responders at yesterday’s marine rescue.
All photos courtesy of Westport Fire Department.
“we all show up to help”; 29 Rowers Rescued from Long Island Sound
Westport Fire Department photoPress Release:
Westport Police, Westport Fire, and Westport EMS responded to Compo Beach on a report that there were numerous people in the water after a boat they were operating capsized. Responding units found a chaotic scene of youths swimming to shore, arriving by boat, and some still in the water near Cockenoe Island. First Responders immediately began providing care to those individuals who were on shore and coordinating the recovery of people in the water. While accounting for and locating all the people involved, medical care was provided, and two individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
At this time the initial investigation indicates that three (3) rowing sculls and one (1) chase boat launched from Saugatuck Rowing Club. Each rowing scull is 60 feet long and held nine (9) rowers ranging in age from 14-18 while the chase boat was operated by their coach. When the boats reached the area of Cockenoe Island, the weather began to change, and the rowers attempted to return to the rowing club. The rowing sculls began to take on water causing two of them to capsize throwing 18 people into the water. These individuals swam to the chase boat and began to hang onto the side of that boat which caused the chase boat to sink as well. Another chase boat from the rowing club arrived on scene and began to shuttle people to Compo Beach Marina.
At the time of this incident the air temperature was approximately 40 degrees, and the water temperature was 44 degrees.
In total there were 29 people from the rowing club that were involved in this incident.
The following agencies assisted Westport Emergency Services with this incident:
Fairfield Police Marine Division
Stamford Police Marine Division
Noroton Fire Boat
Norwalk Police Marine Division
Norwalk Fire Marine Division
US Coast Guard
The following Emergency Medical Services provided a combined 8 ambulances and 20 personnel:
Norwalk Hospital
American Medical Response (AMR)
Darien EMS
Westport Board of Education assisted by providing a school bus to transport the individuals from Compo Beach to Saugatuck Rowing Club.
“This was truly a team effort” Chief Koskinas stated. “We are grateful for our surrounding agencies who assisted us with this incident and remind our communities that when a large scale event, like this, happens we all show up to help.”