A Day For The Dogs (And Their Humans) At Winslow Park
Westport's annual Dog Festival returned to Winslow Park on Sunday and drew an estimated 2,500 visitors and more than 700 dogs. There was every kind of dog imaginable and they and their humans enjoyed a variety of activities including contests, vendors who offered everything for the well cared for canine, the very popular obstacle course and a spectator favorite every year, the Westport Police K9 Unit demonstration.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Spectators cheer on their favorites to help the judges select the winner of the Best Lap Dog over 50 pounds contest.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
These were the 4 semi-finalists in the Best Lap Dog contest, with the winner, a white Samoyed being chosen after several calls for applause. Judge Jeff Weiser gave the young winner his certificate for gifts, (below left.)
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Doggie athletes line up for a chance to win prizes for fastest run through the obstacle course.
One of the competitors could not wait his turn and leaped onto the course, racing the other dog for the chance to grab the lure (above right).
The obstacle course has been downsized this year with only two jumps on the course but dogs and owners had a great time competing anyway.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Among the exhibitors was the CT Humane Society which was promoting their new state of the art shelter currently under construction on Rt. 7 in Wilton which will replace the Post Road East shelter. The organization’s Kayleigh Shettleworth was eager to share the details with WestportLocalPress, saying, “Animal sheltering and care is about to get very exciting. This time next year, the Connecticut Humane Society will be opening its doors to the brand new, 14,581-square-foot Animal Resource Center on 863 Danbury Road in Wilton. Providing adoption services and all the resources a pet needs to stay with its family including a low-fee veterinary clinic open to the public, Pet Food Pantry, and humane education opportunities, this facility will be innovative and life changing. The resource center will replace the 75-year-old shelter in Westport, joining Newington and Waterford as CHS' three locations throughout the state.”
For more information visit CThumane.org/Wilton or contact Kayleigh Shettleworth at kshettleworth@cthumane.org or call 860-594-4502 ext. 6307
Spectators gather to Watch the Westport Police Department K9 Unit demonstration. Long-time vendor, Westport's Earth Animal donated a portion of their sales to the Westport Police Department K-9 Unit which helps them pay for training and even bullet/knife resistant vests for their K-9's. The K9 unit put on two demonstrations of drug detection, evidence location and behavior commands.
Corporal Jimmy Loomer (left) hosted the K9 Unit demonstration describing the activities of the unit and their K9 officers. K9 Onyx searches a patrol car for drugs which were hidden in the vehicle. Corporal Smith demonstrates an apprehension effectuated by K9 Atlas who poses with partner Corporal Dave Scinto (right). Atlas has served for 8 years with Scinto and will be retiring this year to enjoy lots of playtime and some well earned time off.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Spectators watched eagerly as the officers put their K9 partners through their paces. Kids were especially interested and asked Corporal Loomer several questions about the program. Below, K9 Onyx diligently searches for drugs and is rewarded by Smith with his favorite toy, which is part of his training program. Below right, Scinto encourages Atlas to release Corporal Smith. German Shepherds have a bit force of over 200 pounds per square inch (psi) which Smith can definitely attest to.
Cats are also a part of the Dog Festival.
Each year the fabled North Shore Animal League, acknowledged to be the largest no-kill animal shelter in the world drives their Mutt-I-Grees Express Rescue Unit up from Long Island for T.A.I.L.S, the alliance for limiting strays to showcase fabulous felines which are available for adoption. T.A.I.L.S is an all volunteer organization that does rescue, TNR (trap, Neuter, Return) to reduce the substantial feral cat problem, and offers adoption opportunities. They show available cats and kittens at Petco locations on the Post Road in Westport and at the Walmart Plaza in Norwalk.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Travel Alert: I-95 Southbound Exit 17 Ramp Closure Tonight
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing the scheduled closure and detour of I-95 southbound off and on-ramp at Exit 17 in Westport on Thursday night, May 23, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. These closures are necessary for the milling of pavement on the two ramps to repair and repave the roadway. CTDOT Project No. 0102-0295 was awarded to Yonkers Contracting Company, Inc at a cost of $103,411,848 on April 30, 2022, and is scheduled to be completed on November 1, 2024. This project is administered by the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Construction, District 3 in New Haven.
DETOUR INFO:
The proposed closure and detour are as follows:
I-95 Southbound Off-Ramp at Exit 17 Detour: The traffic will be detoured to the Exit 18 off-ramp to Sherwood Island Connector from I-95 southbound and then to Route 1 and Riverside Avenue (SR 33).
I-95 Southbound On-Ramp at Exit 17 Detour: The traffic will be detoured via the I-95 northbound on-ramp at Exit 17 to I-95 northbound to Exit 18 off-ramp and then back on to I-95 southbound via the Exit 18 on-ramp
Wreckers Wrestlers Workin’ At The Car Wash
Above: Members of the Staples Varsity wrestling team near the end of their “shift” on Sunday.
A car wash fundraiser was held on Sunday for the Staples Wrestling Team at the Shell Gas Station at 322 Post Road East in Westport. Damian Rousseau, one of the newly appointed captains of the wrestling team, decided he wanted to bring the team together to raise money for the upcoming winter season. This was Damian's first time ever planning something like this, and he only had a week to pull things together. Many of the team, and some freshmen to be, gave their commitment to help. The school's athletic director loaned out their competition singlets to make the event more fun as the team washed cars.
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They are: Front row left to right: Seamus Brannigan, Amere Miller Julian Rousseau. Back row: from left to right: Henry Goldman, Lucas Rosen (graduating captain), Colin Caricato, Damian Rousseau (current captain), Jessiah Jones, Jasper Haazen, Charlie Goldman, Mieshko Solowinski.
Other team members who had worked the car wash earlier included not included in the group photo were Liam Donaldson (graduating captain). Chase Watkins (graduating captain), Aiden Schacter, Michael Sarelli, David Sheng, Damian Schmutte, Ethan Ambrose. Wrestlers missing from this photo but who participated in the fundraiser are listed as follows: Liam Donaldson (graduating captain). Chase Watkins (graduating captain), Aiden Schacter, Michael Sarelli, David Sheng, Damian Schmutte, Ethan Ambrose.
The biggest challenge was finding a location for the car wash, and Raja Ali, owner of the Shell gas station and convenience market welcomed the fundraiser with open arms when he was asked. It was an amazing day seeing the Staples Wrecker Wrestlers, wearing their singlets proudly, holding signs to advertise the event while others worked nonstop washing a steady line of cars that came in.
Pictured above, right is Mieshko Solowinski who went all in to encourage drivers to pull in and leave with a now spotless ride. There was no cost for the car wash and we accepted donations of any size from those that were happy with the wash and wanted to support the team. There were so many generous people that came to our fundraiser today and it was great fun.
This Staples Wrestling team has a proud history of community service worthy of their competitive athletic results. Our amazing community responded in kind with generous donations to that the team will use for such things as scholarships, equipment and other necessities beyond what the school can provide. The event was by all measures an overwhelming success. The team wished to convey special thanks to all who came by!
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Staples LAX Crushes Wilton 9-1; Advance To FCIAC Semi-Finals
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Two-time defending state champion Staples Wreckers Boys Lacrosse were firing on all cylinders on Saturday facing the Warriors on their home field. The Wreckers not only had a balanced offensive attack, with seven players scoring goals, but defended their net in spectacular form, with goalie Josh Marcus allowing only one Wilton goal while coming up with 10 saves. The face-offs also told the story with the Wreckers prevailing on 13 out of 14.
Adam Udell and Charlie Clark reached scored one goal and 5 and 3 assists respectively. Adding one goal each were Cam Prior, Tyler DiMaio and Nick Weil. Both Tristan Schaefer and Hunter Pallai each added two additional goals.
The Wreckers take the field again in Wilton on Tuesday at 4:30 PM, facing top ranked New Canaan which is undefeated in league play after they dominated Fairfield Ludlow 13-1 on Friday.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
