Catherine Violet Hubbard Lives On At Catherine’s Annual Butterfly Party
This very special event is in honor of Catherine, one of the Angels who were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
The idea of Catherine’s “Butterfly Party” was inspired by a true story, where a Monarch Butterfly landed on Catherine and she whispered to it “tell your friends that I am kind.”
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Catherine’s Butterfly Party is held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex in Newtown. 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. This year would have been Catherine’s 18th birthday and she and some other children would have graduated high school.
Adding to the special day, in honor of Catherine's 18th birthday, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is partnering with the North American Butterfly Association to symbolically rename the Monarch Butterfly the ‘Catherine Butterfly.' Catherine’s whispering to the Monarch Butterfly which landed on her hand, “tell your friends that I am kind.” was the inspiration behind the renaming and the sanctuary's commitment to creating, conserving and protecting Monarch habitats.
Animals was one of Catherine’s passions and this event brings 25 animal adoption organizations together to offer more than two hundred beautiful dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more who are searching for their furever homes!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Beautiful adult cats and a couple of very frisky kittens were also on hand to find the perfect humans to give lots of love and kisses.
Pictured above are State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, Catherine’s Mom Jennifer Hubbard, State Senator Tony Hwang, Earl Wheway, and First Selectman Jeff Capeci who were on hand to speak about the work of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and to read the Official Statement of Governor Ned Lamont and to present a Certificate Of Special Recognition from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
In honor of the symbolic monarch renaming, Senator Richard Blumenthal sent an official Senate Citation for today’s dedication. The Senator was unable to attend as he was part of a contingent in Normandy honoring the anniversary of D-Day. In addition, the sanctuary is so grateful for the official proclamation received from the Governor of Connecticut.
Several hundred attendees came to the stage for the presentation and there was a large media presence to document the comments of Jenny, State Senator Hwang and the other speakers.
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Children and their parents delighted in meeting and getting up close and personal with some of the many beautiful animals the rescue organizations brought to the event. Ther were many pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
SGT. Daniel Gebhardt and SGT. Kathrie Platt of the 928th Military Police Detachment puts military working dog Unit through his paces to the appreciation of the large audience.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In addition to the many rescue organizations there was a great live music performance and photo ops in front of a special background with Catherine’s beautiful words blended into the wings of one of her beloved butterflies.
Several great food trucks were on hand to feed the hungry festival-goers. There were also horses including mini horses, a few reptiles and a couple of llamas to add to the special atmosphere of love for all creatures.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Dozens of hard-working volunteers helped make the epic event a tremendous success. The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to their 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.
It was clearly a love-fest for humans and their new animal friends, and there was even a chance to see some spectacular raptors.
To help the mission of the CVH Foundation and to learn more including updates on the construction of their beautiful new Sanctuary located at 8 Commerce Rd. in Newtown contact: info@cvhfoundation.org, tel: (866) 620-8640 and visit the CVH Foundation
Homes With Hope Airs 40th Anniversary Documentary At Branson Hall Sunday
The crowd of more than 80 people applauds CEO Helen McAlinden as she thanks board members.
On Sunday, Homes With Hope honored Dr. James Gillespie who was instrumental in developing the Interfaith Housing Association which is now the well-known Homes With Hope organization. As part of the event the organization screened for a second time their 40th Anniversary documentary film created by Livio Sanchez, formerly of Westport.
The documentary includes over 50 testimonials, each with a unique message in creating Homes with Hope's legacy. From the humble beginnings to the monumental milestones, the storytellers have narrated tales of resilience and the collective spirit that had shaped the organization.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above left and right, CEO Helen McAlinden adressed the crowd, including giving a shout-out to VP and Chief Operating Officer Paris Looney, center.
The Gillespie Center, operated by Homes With Hope is an emergency shelter for single men, and home to the Community Kitchen and Food Pantry was dedicated to Dr. Gillespie in 1989. The screening was attended by more than 80 people, many of James’s family members including sons Bryan and Craig, volunteers, and local supporters. Homes’ former CEO Jeff Wieser who led the organization for several years was also in attendance.
Homes with Hope, formerly the Interfaith Housing Association opened in 1984 as a homeless shelter for single men, and occupied a retired firehouse owned by the Town of Westport. Local religious organizations worked together to create the Interfaith Housing Association in response to an increased number of homeless individuals, primarily men, who were turning to them for aid. The documentary includes reporting on the growing housing crises which has touched Westport and has only grown substantially in CT in recent years.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A collection of memorabilia from years past was available for viewing.
Homes with Hope has grown significantly since 1984. As the need began to increase, they realized that food and shelter alone were not enough to help people move from homelessness to self-reliance.
In response, Homes with Hope expanded the support services and housing options currently available to our clients by providing the resources needed for them to be successful in their journey out of homelessness. The organization also operates Hoskins Place, located in the same building, is a 4-bed emergency shelter for single women.
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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
Two of the more glamorous participants in Sunday’s Westport Pride event, Angelina Fierce Doll (L) and Bleach (R) flank one of the many performers who entertained the crowd.
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
A group of passers-by look in amazement a a truck illegally parked on the Parker Harding access road which prevented another truck from passing safely.
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
While this photo looks like it must have been taken in October, this bundled up lifeguard was on duty at Compo Beach on Memorial day. With temps in the mid sixties and winds whipping off the sound, she made sure she was cozy as she watched a handful of hearty souls brave water temperatures of 61º as they got hit by one powerful wave after another.
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.
It appeared that this perhaps novice windsurfer preferred getting to know his equipment on an exceptionally windy rather than test his skills as the others below did. The fierce breeze gave these guys quite the workout with one of them speeding by an intrepid swimmer while he was getting his exercise on his paddle board.
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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
Our veterans saluting the flag during the singing of our National Anthem by Staples Alum Nick Rossi who has been providing an amazing performance each year since 2018. Those who have attended the service each year will know these men in this photo. Their names are below.
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.
Pledging allegiance to the Flag Of The United States Of America.
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.
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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.”
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Several hundred people gathered at Veteran’s Green for the annual tribute to our veterans.
The Staples band performed as always. Each year two band members performed Taps after the Westport Police Department honor guard fired a salute. One band member plays at the south end of the green, and after playing a few notes those notes are echoed by the second member at the north end creating a solemn rendition.
The crowd had cameras out, recording the Staples Band playing a patriotic medley.
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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