Fairfield County’s Biggest Animal Adoption Event & Family Festival Returns Tomorrow & You’re Invited!
Tomorrow is the largest animal event in Fairfield County, if not the entire state. It is a huge family festival and pet adoption event in addition to the celebration of the life of and the 18th birthday of Catherine Violet Hubbard, one of the little angels at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
It is called Catherine’s Butterfly Party and it held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470. Over the course of the day up to 12,000 (not a typo) people come to celebrate Catherine and the other beautiful children from Sandy Hook Elementary.
From the CVH Foundation website:
You’re cordially invited to the 8th annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party – the renowned FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL WITH SUPER ADOPTION EVENT!! Every year, the sanctuary honors Catherine’s birthday and her love of animals with Catherine’s Butterfly Party, Newtown’s largest single day FREE event welcoming over 12,000 people! This year, the celebration falls on a very special day – June 8th – what would have been her 18th birthday. We’re so excited to see Catherine’s Butterfly Party growing up right along with her. 2024 promises to be our best event yet, bringing smiles, purrs and tail wags to all!
12,000 guests annually 31+ animal rescue organizations featuring over 200 adoptable animals 151+ animals adopted last year including dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more! Live “ambassador” wildlife, police k-9 & educational presentations Pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to our sponsors, Catherine’s Butterfly Party always remains FREE to participating rescues AND the public. This allows hard working animal welfare groups to focus on their animals while we take care of everything else.
Westport Shows Our Pride For All To See
Pride In Our Town, Pride In Each Other
Westport Pride's annual Pride Celebration took place on Sunday, June 2, at Jesup Green in Westport, Connecticut. This joyous event was filled with vibrant local performances, engaging activities, and heartfelt community spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The celebration included Girl Scout Troop 51003 raising the pride flag, setting the tone for a day of inclusivity and love. Attendees were treated to an array of local talent, featuring performances by Westport students including Bridget Reddy, The Corduroys, Imogen Medoff, Next Day Delivery, Alyssa Lee, Josie Pines, Echo Bodell, and Jonathan Ridel of The Rubber Skulls. All performers were from Westport except for Ridel.
Highlighting the event, State Treasurer Erick Russell spoke, and Senator Ceci Maher presented a State General Assembly citation in recognition of Westport Pride’s significant contributions to the community with Represetative Jonathan Steinberg. Additionally, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker offered a Proclamation to officially declare June as Pride Month in Westport, underscoring the town's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above are some of the day’s performers on stage entertaining the crowd. Several performed original songs which passionately told their story and their truth.
The celebration included a Drag Story Time with local drag queens Angelina Fierce Doll and Bleach, who added their unique flair and energy to the festivities. There were a variety of family friendly activities including arts and crafts, face painting, and yard games. With food trucks and local vendors on site, there were plenty of delicious options and unique items to explore.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Cantor Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel and the Right Rev. Kari Nicewander of Saugatuck Congregational Church offered song, prayers and blessings at the start and conclusion of the event, fostering a sense of unity and peace.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Out-Of-Town Entitlement At Parker Harding
We are all too familiar with the sense of entitlement that leads to “bad parking” as our favorite Westport blog has regularly posted about. WestportLocalPress posted on a doozy last year on September 24th (What WAS She Thinking) and earlier on March 26th (Poor Parking Job causes Parker Harding Gridlock).
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Now it seems we are importing bad parking from out of state. An interesting situation developed on Tuesday afternoon on the Parker Harding access road from Main St. to the Post Road. A panel truck with the USDOT registration number 3998939 which show the owner to be Generational Legacy Transportation, LLC out of Stroudsburg, PA decided to simply park on the road in the apparent belief that a single lane was wide enough for passing cars. It in fact was. What is was not however was wide enough of a lane for other truck traffic.
As the photos show, one of the several NO PARKING signs on the road was in fact about 8 or 9 feet from the driver’s windshield, which he seemed to believe did not apply to him as he is somehow entitled to park where less important folks cannot. Sound familiar? When an Ace Endico truck drove in, as all traffic does on the way to the Post Rd. he saw that he was unable to pass the parked Legacy truck. Frustrated and upset, the Ace drive waited patiently for the other truck’s operator to come from one of the Main Street stores. This went on for more than 15 minutes. The Ace truck, unable to safely pass then caused all access road traffic to come to a standstill. Drivers, seeing the mess began trying to back up in reverse so that they could turn around in the section of Parker Harding which is two-way and where that is permitted. That became an even bigger mess.
After more than 15 minutes the Ace driver, who had deliveries to make, couldn’t take it anymore and he exited his truck to see if there was enough room for him to jump the curb and pass the thoughtless offender without hitting the No Parking sign on the left side of the road. He knew it would be close and risked his truck scraping the side of the Legacy truck. He skillfully managed to do just that, somehow, with only 2 inches or so to spare.
Once he had cleared the obstacle traffic again began to flow. Eventually the Legacy driver emerged from one of the Main St. and by that time a Westport PD unit had arrived and the officer had a conversation with the Legacy driver, the result of which is unknown. As many Westporters are well aware, there is a loading zone next to the Washing Well laundry which is a frequent stop for delivery trucks. Not, however, for the Generational Legacy Transportation, LLC truck!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Burnham Hill Structure Fire Extinguished
Westport Fire Department, Police and Westport Emergency Medical Service responded late last night to a structure fire on Burnham Hill. (Westport FD photos)
Westport Firefighters were dispatched to a report of an outdoor structure fire next to a residence. The initial dispatch was four Engines, one Truck company, and the Shift Commander. Enroute, WPD Officers arrived and advised that a structure next to the house was burning.
E5 arrived and stretched a hose line to extinguish the fire. Additional arriving companies provided a water supply and checked for fire extension to the residence. The fire damage was limited to the outdoor structure. Crews secured utilities and performed overhaul.
There were no reported injuries, and the incident is being investigated by the Westport Fire Marshal’s office. Norwalk and Fairfield fire departments provided station coverage during the incident.
Westport firefighters were assisted on scene by WPD and WEMS. The last unit cleared the scene at 1:47 AM.
Memorial Day: Another Look
There was a lot going on in Westport on Memorial Day. We covered the Commemoration at Veteran’s Green saluting and thanking our heroic veterans (Honoring Those Who Served) . We thought we would take another look at what else was going on around town on Memorial Day.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
It may be hard to believe that this was Compo Beach at 1:00 PM on Monday. Most Memorial Days the beach would be filled with people enjoying the unofficial start of summer. Not this Memorial Day due to the very un-summerlike temps and high winds.
The only crowds this day were the seagulls who may have enjoyed having the beach to themselves despite having no snacks to steal from the unsuspecting beach goers.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of these kid’s super power seems to be having a blast in water that was barely 60º. Others were more than happy playing on the iconic Compo Beach cannons while sailors enjoyed harnessing the wind in the background.
This group of friends enjoyed the sun as the waves rolled in while engaging in a game of “spikeball”, which looks like it is catching on as an alternative to frisbee or cornhole.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Have Served And Sacrificed
Lieutenant Colonel Nate Dougall, CT Army National Guard Reserve (left). Lieutenant Commander Phil Delgado, U.S. Navy (Retired), VFW Post 399 Quartermaster (c). Sergeant First Class Buyile Rani, CT Army National Guard (Retired) (r).
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
We all love Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. A day of picnics, barbecues, hitting the beach for the first time this year, shopping the big holiday sales, and of course, starting with Westport’s beloved parade. As nice as those things all are, it is important to not lose sight of what Memorial Day really is. The day the nation gathers to honor those who have served and fought defending America, and those who continue to do so.
We look to the history from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which states: Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. The modern proclamation calls on Americans "to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace."
The history begins at the conclusion of the Civil War after which for years cited over 360,000 Union soldiers killed and 258,000 from the South, a figure historians now claim is in fact too low. On May 5, 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a politically powerful organization of Union veterans led by Major General John A. Logan — issued General Orders No. 11 or the "Memorial Day Act." This issuance formally established "Memorial Day" as a Decoration Day on which the nation would remember its war dead and decorate their graves with flowers. In fact, for many years the holiday was known as Decoration Day.
Each year the organizers select a veteran to honor, one who has served with great distinction, honor and valor. For as long as anyone can remember, Korean War veteran Bill Vornkahl who was the driving force for the event for half a century and was closely involved in the selection of Grand Marshall. “Mr. Parade” as he was known for decades sadly passed away last year but the tradition he helped thrive has carried on. This year Charles P. Lamb, Jr. was honored as Grand Marshall.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The bio provided to WestportLocalPress of Lt. Charles P. Lamb, Jr. is rather impressive and remarkable for his service to our country, his many accomplishments, and his years of devotion to our town warrants a careful review.
Charles Perry Lamb, Jr. was born in Springfield, IL in 1928 and moved to Sycamore, OH where he graduated high school.. He joined the Navy in 1946 at age 17 as part of the Naval Aviation College Program. That offered free college and a chance to be a Naval Aviator, but required a rigorous 3-day test. It was the same program that Neil Armstrong took to become an astronaut. Only 2 people out of more than 20 people who trained for the test were accepted to the program. They were Charles Lamb and his best friend Dale Campbell. They were both admitted to Bowling Green University (OH) where they studied courses specified by the Navy that included writing, spherical trigonometry, and physics. In 1948 they were sent to Pensacola Naval Air Station where they officially became Midshipmen and started ground school. Flight training began In February 1949. The first time he ever was in a plane, he was the pilot. He then learned to land planes on aircraft carriers. Later he was sent to NAS Corpus Christi for advanced training for multi engine patrol planes. (PB4Y-2)
In March 1950, at age 21, he was designated by the Naval Air Training Command as a Naval Aviator. Eventually, he amassed over 2000 hours of flight time, earning 2 medals, each representing 20 aerial combat missions during the Korean war. That while rising to the rank of Navy lieutenant. After the Navy, he completed his under-graduate studies at Kent State University, where he met and married Alberta Cifolelli. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary prior to her death in 2021.
After the marriage, Alberta and Chuck moved to Indianapolis, IN where he was a test driver for Chrysler, often testing the cars for speed on the Indianapolis 500 track. In 1960 they moved to Cleveland, OH, where Charles worked for Cleveland Pneumatic on the team that designed the landing gear for the iconic Boeing 707. During that time, he also completed his M.A. in engineering at Case-Western Reserve. By the time the family moved to Connecticut In 1970, they had three sons, Mark, John & Todd, who became Staples High School graduates. He also has two grandchildren. Charles still lives in the house they bought at Saugatuck Shores in 1971.
In Connecticut, Charles was Director of Quality Control for Dorr Oliver in Stamford, then worked for Composition Materials in Fairfield, and finally started his own business, Lamb & Associates, which made repairs to city waste systems. In Westport, Charles Lamb Jr. served on the RTM from district 1 and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was also a youth basketball coach.
After retirement, he took a writing class at Norwalk Community College. He then wrote and edited a book that included stories about his Navy experiences entitled “Lives – a Soundwriter’s Anthology.” That led to him being named President of NCC’s Lifetime Learners for more than 5 years.
In 2022, the State of Connecticut recognized Charles Lamb for his patriotic service to his country during the Korean War-era. “
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Selectwoman Jen Tooker opined upon Memorial Day and Lt. Lamb, beginning by saying, “Before I start my comments I’d like to highlight our Poet Laureate, Jessie McEntee and her contribution to today’s memorial. She has chosen an excerpt of “The Parade” by Billy Collins,
The Parade - BY BILLY COLLINS
How exhilarating it is to march along the great boulevards
in the sunflash of trumpets and under all the waving flags— the flag of ambition, the flag of love.
So many of us streaming along— all of humanity, really— moving in perfect step, yet each lost in the room of a private dream.
Tooker continuted, “Before we begin, I want to acknowledge and thank the organizers of this event. The group is slightly different this year with members of the VFW, the Parks and Rec department and my own office, the First Selectwoman’s office. They had big shoes to fill but they did it so very well – thank you! As many of you know, we recently lost Mr. Parade – Bill Vornkahl. He was a true Westport legend, who passed away in January at the age of 93. A veteran of the Korean War, Bill’s dedication to Westport and its veterans is well known throughout our community. It was Bill, who served as the chair of Westport’s Memorial Day Parade since 1970, who chose the American Flag as the theme for this year’s parade just before he passed.” “The brutal reality of war is front and center every day on the news. It’s a stark reminder to us all that we can’t take our freedom for granted. While those of us who have never served can never really understand what that means, we know that our veterans represent the best of America, the diversity of its people, and the virtues and ideals that make our country great.”
“As we stand here today, we are surrounded by the memorials to the Westport residents who died in battle. We are here to pay homage to them. To the many veterans who are here with us on this Memorial Day, the families of those who served, and the American servicemen and women serving around the world today, we thank you.”
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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).
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
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.
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
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.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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!
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples LAX Crushes Wilton 9-1; Advance To FCIAC Semi-Finals
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.