Police Cite Westport Minister in New Paltz Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies

Rev. Marion Visel File photoA minister from Westport's Unitarian Church was among clergy cited by police today for performing same-sex marriage ceremonies in New Paltz, N.Y., according to Sunday's New York Times

It said the Rev. Marion B. Visel was one of a number of Unitarian ministers performing the ceremonies under the watchful eyes of 18 police officers.

She and the others received warning letters from the local district attorney.

"I must have officiated at 50 weddings, but never have the police been involved," the newspaper quoted Visel as saying.

"The fines and jail I may face are not as important as the justice brought about by marrying these loving couples."

The Times said as about 25 couples prepared to be married, the New Paltz police chief, Raymond K. Zappone, delivered warning letters to the clergywomen from the Ulster County district attorney, Donald A. Williams.

The letters were similar to one delivered to New Paltz Mayor Jason West several days before he received a criminal summons for performing same-sex marriages.

They warned that a member of the clergy who solemnized an unlicensed marriage might be charged with a misdemeanor.

West, 26, was charged with 19 counts of a criminal misdemeanor for solemnizing unlicensed marriages and was served with an injunction, which he has obeyed, to stop conducting the ceremonies.

In his place, an ad hoc group of residents and clergy who call themselves the New Paltz Equality Initiative have set to the task of organizing weekly marriage ceremonies along the banks of the Wallkill River.

Today, 25 lesbian and gay couples waited in a muddy patch behind a wire arbor until called forward by a master of ceremonies to exchange vows on wooden stages at opposite ends of a small field.

The ceremony attracted about 250 people from several states for an event that combined the righteousness of a civil rights campaign with the tears of a wedding, the newspaper said.

The legality of the marriages in New Paltz will likely be determined by the courts, and those officiating - all of them Unitarian clergywomen - may face the same misdemeanor charges as the mayor, according to the Times.

The Westport Unitarian Church Web site said Visel graduated from Starr King School for the Ministry, Berkeley, Calif., in 1998 with a Master in Divinity.

She was ordained by the Westport congregation and serves it as an endorsed community minister. She is also a hospice chaplain.

Visel has been a licensed massage therapist for 15 years. She also currently works as a massage therapist on the oncology unit at Greenwich Hospital.

Before becoming a massage therapist and then a hospice chaplain she was a television producer. "She has decided that three careers is enough," according to the Web biography.

Visel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts from Fairfield University.

"Warrior Dance"

Westport artist David Barton's "Warrior Dance" (acrylic on canvas 36 x 48 in.) is one of 44 works selected for the Westport Art Center's "The Figure NOW" juried exhibit opening April 2 and running through May 23.(CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Saturday, March 13, 2004

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - Westport Public Library - Winter book sale

Time for a Cold One

By Fran
WestportNow Consumer Correspondent
fran@westportnow.com

Maybe it’s the daily reports of spring training … or those seductively balmy few days we’ve just had (Alas, too soon gone!)

Westport's Little Kitchen has beer on tap at $5 a glass. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE). WestportNow.com photo
But something has got me thinking about cold beer on tap. If you can’t wait the 26 days until Yankees opening day, 27 days for the Red Sox, or 30 days for the New York Mets, here’s what a tall cold one will cost you around town.

Starting price of a draft beer (pint) on tap

Mario’s Place $2.50
VFW Post $2.50
Sakura $3
DeRosa’s Restaurant $3
John’s Best Pizza $3.25
Black Duck $3.30
Matsu Sushi $3.35

Tarantino's $4
Dunville’s $4
Splash $4.25
Bogey’s $4.50
Viva Zapata $5
Conte’s Restaurant $5
The Little Kitchen $5
Mansion Clam House $5
The Peppermill $5
Tavern On Main $5
Tengda Asian Bistro $5
Tiger Bowl $5
V Restaurant &Wine Bar $5
Vine Mediterranean Grill & Pizza $5
Three Bears $5.25

Farrell to Officially Kick Off Congressional Campaign Monday

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell will make it official Monday that she is running for Congress to challenge veteran Republican incumbent Christopher Shays with a whirlwind tour around the 4th Congressional District.

The two-term Westport chief executive will make her initial announcement she is seeking the Democratic nomination at 8 a.m. at Oscar's Delicatessen on Main Street. Then it will be on to stops in Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk.

The 10 a.m. Bridgeport appearance will be at the Schwerdtle Stamp Co., 166 Elm St.

Among those expected to join her there are Mayor John Fabrizi, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Treasurer Denise Nappier, Comptroller Nancy Wyman, and John Olsen, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

The Stamford announcement will be at noon at the William Pitt Early Childhood Development Center, Hillandale Road. Invited guests include Mayor Dan Malloy and Marcia Lieberman.

The Norwalk event will be at 3 p.m. at the South Norwalk train station with expected guests Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut's 3rd District and Mayor Alex Knopp.

Farrell filed papers Jan. 13 to begin to raise funds for the race. At the time she said she planned to make a formal announcement within a month.

She has spent much of the interim "dialing for dollars" soliciting campaign contributions and her campaign will file its first financial report at the end of the month.

High Winds Hit Area, Tree Falls on Two Cars

High winds hit the Westport area today as a winter storm moved off the coast.

A tree fell on two cars in the driveway of a home on Compo Road South, according to fire officials. They were unoccupied and there were no injuries.

The weather station at Bedford Middle School registered wind gusts up to 38 miles per hour.

Connecticut Light and Power Company said it had no reports of outages in Westport as of noon.

Catching the Action on TV

Angela Wormser, principal of Bedford Middle School, pauses in the Town Hall lobby Wednesday night to watch Finance Director Donald Miklus on the lobby's television while he addressed the Board of Finance in the Town Hall Auditorium. Visitors were able to follow the evening's proceedings on the lobby television while sipping sodas or coffee from what one person called the auditorium's "club seats." WestportNow.com photo

Boys Varsity Basketball: Staples Loses to New Britain 63-42

The 16th-ranked Staples boys basketball team lost to top-seeded New Britain 63-42 tonight at New Britain in a second round game of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) state tournament.

New Britain’s Willie Wooten kept a tight defense on Staples all-time leading scorer John Baumann throughout the game.

Baumann surfaced as the only consistent offensive threat for Staples (16-7) with 12 points in the first half. When the Columbia-bound forward delivered a three-pointer at the start of second half, Wooten got the call.

After Baumann’s three-pointer cut the New Britain lead to 30-25, Staples, with its star under Wooten’s scrutiny, went 7:45 without another field goal.

A layup by Charlie Stoebe with 11 seconds left ended a 13-2 third-quarter run that essentially put the game on ice for New Britain.

"They really stepped up their defensive intensity," Staples coach Jason Kirck said.

"They tried to double- and triple-team (Baumann) and it made it difficult for us to swing the ball. They used good ball pressure and good denial. We couldn’t enter it against two guys."

Baumann ended up with 21 points, leading all scorers. But Staples received just 21 from the rest of its team, with 13 of those by Joe Forbes.

New Britain shot 48 percent from the field (27-for-56) while Staples made just 15 hoops in 44 tries (34 percent). Staples was held to its lowest offensive output of the season.

Doing Lunch for Charity

Today was the annual "Ladies Lunch" hosted by Westporter Ann Sheffer at the Birchwood Country Club. Attended by about 125 persons. the event raised more than $15,000 for local charities. The lunch, which started in 1992, is underwritten by Sheffer in honor of her late mother, Betty Sheffer. Beneficiaries included the American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter, Builders Beyond Borders, and the Westport Historical Society book fund. See more photos on community page. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A Little Less Posh: Dryer Fire Quickly Doused

Things at the Posher Wash laundromat at the Compo Shopping Center got a little less posh today as small fire erupted in a dryer. Firefighters had the blaze quickly under control. There were no injuries. Traffic in the busy area was tied up briefly by emergency units responding to the 4:11 p.m. incident.

Police Charge Four Teens in December Fire-Bombing Incidents

Westport police have arrested four teenagers – three from Westport and one from Norwalk – in connection with a series of December fire-bombing incidents. They said a fifth arrest was expected.

One of the incidents involved dropping a burning gasoline-filled bottle off of a Merritt Parkway overpass (See WestportNow Dec. 29, 2003).

Police said turning themselves in this week after learning of warrants for their arrest were Matthew Fogel, 16, of Cedargate Lane, Robert Pekar, 17, of Palmieri Road, Jeffrey Christophersen, 16, of Saugatuck Avenue, and Nick Randmer, 16, of Norwalk.

They were given court dates for March 18.

Fogel and Pekar were arrested previously in connection with thefts and attempted theft from cars at two Post Road auto dealerships. A gasoline can, rags and beer bottles were found in the trunk of their car.

Gagliano: "We Need a Business Practices Study for Town and Board of Ed"

Louis Gagliano, a local businessman who has spent much time looking into business practices of the town's school system, has called for a study of business practices encompassing both the town and Board of Education. He addressed the Board of Finance Wednesday night. TEXT

Worker Hits Gas Line on Sturges HIghway

A worker using a backhoe hit a high pressure gas line today on Sturges Highway near the Merritt Parkway overpass.

Police and fire units responded to the area and shut the roadway from Cross Highway northward while gas crews repaired the leak in a four-inch line.

About 70 residences in the area were without gas service until it was repaired, a fire official said.

Sturges Highway is on the town line with Fairfield and the Fairfield Fire Department was notifed as the smell of gas drifted through the area.

Assistant Chief Larry Conklin said the wind was an increasing wind in an easterly direction away from nearby Sturges Highway residences.

The incident was reported at 9:47 a.m. and the gas company reported the line shut down about an hour later.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 12:20 p.m., Conklin said. Police said the roadway remained shut down until 5 p.m.

Boys Varsity Basketball: New Britain Issues Call With Staples Coming

New Britain High boys basketball coach Stan Glowiak has a message and a request for the student body at the state’s biggest school as it prepares to meet Westport’s Staples tonight, according to the New Britain Herald. STORY

Press Box Finally Ready at Staples Football Field

After yet another controversial Westport project, the Staples High School football field finally has a new press box to go with its bleachers added last season. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.com

Thursday, March 11, 2004

Noon - Toquet Hall - Westport Arts Center presents "Play With Your Food"
2 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Planning & Zoning/Parks & Recreation Park District Committee
7 p.m. - Westport Fire Headquarters - Public Site & Building Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Planning & Zoning Commission

Board of Finance Cuts Ed Budget by $1.25 Million

Board of Finance members voted 5-2 tonight to cut $1.25 million from the Board of Education's proposed $75.1 million budget. Voting in favor (l to r) Rick Benson, Jeff Mayer, Shelly Kassen, Steve Ezzes, and Kevin Connolly. Against and not raising their hands are Charles Haberstroh and Gavin Anderson. Board of Ed chair Sandra Urist and Schools Supt. Elliott Landon watch in foreground. The board will consider possibly restoring the cut March 31. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

State Unlikely to Change Test Time Law

Westport students as well as others around the state will likely take standardized tests this spring after 9 a.m., after squabbling in the legislature put off a vote on changing the state's test time law. STORY

Town Hall Budget Session Draws a Crowd

More than 100 people crowded the Town Hall Auditorium tonight as the Board of Finance considered the town’s budget. The meeting lasted almost four hours. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Schools Superintendent Presents Budget

School Supt. Elliott Landon delivers the Board of Education budget tonight to the Board of Finance. He said it was essential to maintain spending to assure a quality education to Westport students. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport First Selectwoman Delivers Annual Budget Message

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell delivers her annual budget message tonight at a meeting of the Board of Finance. She said she expected next year’s tax increase “will be one of he lowest in recent years.” (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport Property Transfers March 1-5, 2004

Property transfers as reported by the Town Clerk's office for the period March 1-5, 2004 included a $2,750,000 sale at 43 Old Hill Road. STORY

Staples Defeats Fairfield to Advance to Quarterfinals

Staples senior John Baumann dunks one in Tuesday night as Staples defeated archrival Fairfield 67-38 in the first round of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) state tourney. Baumann scored 32 points and had 13 rebounds. The Wreckers advanced to the quarterfinals where they will face No. 1 New Britain at New Britain at 7 p.m. Thursday. See another photo on sports page. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Kerry Long for WestportNow.com

Today's Letters: Oyster Farm Defended, Allen's Last Stand

Today's letters to the editor of WestportNow include a defense of the controversial oyster farm proposal off of Westport by the founder of the firm seeking to establish the farm, and a view by a former executive director of the Westport Historical Society on Tuesday night's failed effort at the RTM meeting to save Allen's Clam House from demolition. LETTERS

Westport's Main Street: The Way We Were

David Matlow has been photographing Westport's Main Street, among other Westport scenes, for more than 20 years. The Westport Historical Society is currently featuring an exhibit of 75 of his Main Street photographs documenting "its quaint charm, architectural integrity, commercial pulse, and its ongoing adaptation to the changing scene." (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Photo by David Matlow

Last-Minute Effort to Save Allen's Fails

Westport's Representative Town Meeting Tuesday night approved by a vote of 22-10 an appropriation of $50,000 to demolish Allen's Clam House at Old Mill. A last-minute effort by Town Historian Allen Raymond to postpone action by six months failed by a vote of 13-19. WestportNow.com file photo

Saugatuck Garage Becomes Doc's Cafe

Doc's Cafe opened for business Tuesday at 570 Riverside Ave., three weeks after leaving its home in the former Peter's Bridge Market. Owner Yvonne Dougherty, a Westport resident whose native Texas drawl is part of many Westporters' morning routine, says her new 1,950-square foot space, a former garage, "is a dream come true." Doc's opens weekdays at 5:30 a.m. and serves coffee (gourmet and straight), tea, home-baked goods and fancy desserts. See additional photo on community page. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Emily Laux Roche for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

10:30 a.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - International Hospitality Committee
Noon - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Citizens brown bag luncheon
5 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309/307 - Board of Selectmen
7 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - Board of Finance formal budget hearing

Boys Varsity Basketball: Staples Defeats Fairfield 67-38 in CIAC Tourney

The 16th-ranked Staples boys basketball team defeated the 17th-ranked Fairfield Mustangs 67-38 tonight at home in the first game of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) state tournament.

Staples plays top-ranked New Britain in New Britain Thursday at 7 p.m.

Westport RTM Approves $150,000 to Clear Up Permit Backlog

The Westport Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight initially by unanimous vote -- and then with one member opposed -- approved an appropriation of $150,000 to help clear up a backlog of building permits that led the town to seek a one-year postponement in implementing its controversial 2003 property assessment.

Several moments after the vote Helmut Krause, District 5, infomed the secretary he wished to go on record as opposed to the appropriation.

There was no objection to his request by his fellow members, who had to approve a change of vote after the fact. That changed the vote to 31-1 for approval.

Farrell Asks State Clarification on Same-Sex Marriage

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell said today she has asked state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to clarify the state's same-sex marriage laws.

Farrell told WestportNow she sent Blumenthal a letter after questions were raised recently in New York State over same-sex marriages and a rulling there by the state's attorney general. STORY

WestportNow Launches "What's Inside" Column

As part of its continuing effort to make WestportNow easier to use, WestportNow has launched a "What's Inside" index along the right-hand side of the front page.

The intent is to give readers a quick guide to the latest stories and pictures posted to individual inside pages. Some stories and pictures will appear only on these pages, much like individual sections of a newspaper.

WestportNow will continue to make content, graphic, and design changes -- many of them as a result of suggestions from readers – to make your 24/7 Westport news and information source the best we can.

NY Newsday: Martha Stewart Conviction Will be Costly

The conviction of Westport's Martha Stewart in her stock fraud trial could endanger a $7.7-million pay package, including $2 million paid to film at her homes in Westport and elsewhere, according to New York Newsday today.

The newspaper reported that Stewart can be fired by the board of directors upon "conviction of a felony or willful gross misconduct, which in either case results in material and demonstrable damage to our business or reputation," according to an employment contract signed in October 1999. STORY

Old Man Winter Won't Let Go

Westporters awoke this morning to a reminder that it's still winter. An overnight snow left trees and woods looking like a winter wonderland but roads were generally clear. This was the scene on Webb Road. The calendar says spring begins March 20. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Hearing it From the Pros

Getting ready for their production of "City of Angels" later this month, members of the Staples Players heard Monday from performers James Naughton (r) and Susan Terry, both area residents, about their roles in the Broadway production. The Cy Coleman/David Zippel musical opened in December 1989 and ran for 878 performances. Naughton won a 1990 Tony Award for his performance and the show won Best Musical. Director David Roth interviewed them. The performances are scheduled March 26, 27, and April 2 and 3. See another photo on the Arts & Leisure page. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) Kerry Long for WestportNow.com

Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Noon - Toquet Hall - Westport Arts Center presents "Play With Your Food"
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - Historic District Commission
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201/201A- Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30 p.m. - Town Hall Room 309- Architectural Review Board
7:45 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - RTM Special School Building Administrative Committee
8 p.m. - Town Hall Auditorium - RTM (live coverage on cable channel 79)

The Road to Longshore

The road to Longshore Club Park was deserted today as a light snowfall dusted the area. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Staples Plungers

Saturday's Special Olympics "Penguin Plunge" at Compo Beach included a contingent from Staples High school. Among them were (l to r) teachers Gerry Kuroghlian and Karen Dickey and principal John Brady. More photos on community page. Kerry Long for WestportNow.com

Martha Stewart Sees Probation Officers, Thanks Supporters

Westport's Martha Stewart met with her probation officers today as jurors began telling what convinced them to convict her. They said the testimony of longtime friend and fellow Westporter Mariana Pasternak was devastating.

Stewart spent about an hour in a federal building in Manhattan. As she left shortly after noon, she thanked those who had supported her in her trial that ended Friday with her being convicted of lying about a stock sale.

As she was getting into the front passenger seat of a sport utility vehicle outside a lower Manhattan courthouse, she said:

"I want to thank my readers, my viewers and the Internet users. I just want to thank everyone for their support."

The remarks were her second since being convicted.

As Stewart left the courthouse on Friday after the verdict was announced, the Daily News asked her to comment on the fairness of the trial. She replied, "The unfairness of the trial, that's the right comment."

Meanwhile, the NewYork Post reported that federal officers will inspect Stewart's Westport home and ask for tax returns and personal documents as part of their pre-sentencing preparation. She will be sentenced June 17.

Also, Newsweek reported that prosecutors had offered Stewart a chance last April to plead guilty to just one of the four charges against her -- making a false statement -- in exchange for a probation sentence.

But a defense source told the magazine that prosecutors could not guarantee that Stewart would avoid jail time completely and Stewart refused the offer, Newsweek reported.

Stewart left her Turkey Hill Road South home in time for a morning appointment in Manhattan with probation officers. She had spent Sunday at home working on a strategy for an appeal, according to sources.

In television interviews, jurors said witnesses against Stewart were convincing, including Pasternak.

Pasternak, a Westport real estate agent and longtime friend of Stewart's, testified that Stewart had told her she knew ImClone CEO Sam Waksal was selling his stock.

Pasternak said she remembered Stewart saying, "Isn't it nice to have brokers who tell you those things?"

"We were like, `Wow,'" juror Dana D'Allessandro said. "That blew me away."

Said juror Chappell Hartridge, "It took down two people with one shot."

Pasternak later acknowledged on cross-examination that the remark may have been something she herself thought, not something Stewart said.

Why Pasternak agreed to testify against Stewart and what relationship they have now has been the source of much speculation.

Neither Stewart nor Pasternak has discussed their relationship publicly, but a friend of Pasternak's who talked to her before the trial got underway provided some insight.

"Basically, Mariana told Martha that she (Mariana) was not going to go down for her," the friend told WestportNow. "Martha understood that and, believe it or not, they are still friends."

Stewart has helped pay legal costs for Pasternak as well as some debts. Pasternak lives in the Old Mill Beach area and has put her house on the market.

Monday, March 8, 2004

6 p.m. - 180 Bayberry Lane - Westport/Weston Health District anticipated executive session
7 p.m. - Town Hall Room 201 - Special Conservation Commission work session
7:30 p.m. - 180 Bayberry Lane - Westport/Weston Health District board meeting
8 p.m. - Town Hall Room 102 - RTM Ordinance Committee

Acting Assessor Outlines Steps to Prevent Permit Backlog

Westport's acting assessor has outlined steps his office will take to prevent future permit backlogs similar to the 1,700-permit backlog that has caused the town to seek a one-year delay in implementing its 2003 property assessment.

The memo from Kevin Murowsky was sent to members of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in advance of their meeting Tuesday at which they will consider a $150,000 request to hire a firm to help clear the backlog.

Murowsky is acting assessor in place of assessor Glenn Werfelman who was placed on 30-day leave Thursday for unspecified reasons by First Selectman Diane Goss Farrell. (See WestportNow March 4, 2004).

In his March 5 memo, which was addressed to Farrell, Murowsky said he would take the following steps:

 Send a monthly letter to Farrell and Finance Director Donald J. Miklus updating them on the status of building permits being handled by the office.

 Install new software enabling the assessor's office to have near real-time information from the Building Department on permits being issued.

 Maintain a new construction account for the extra help that will be needed with approval from the First Selectman and Finance Director.

 Perform quality control checks on random properties to assure accuracy of updated information and have "personal interaction" with the homeowner.

 Institute a "limit of 200 permits" and once reached, notification must be made to the First Selectman and Finance Director.

 Improve management of field personnel and, if needed, the assessor shall help with the permits.

 Hire part-time field personnel for seasonal work.

Farrell had promised the Board of Finance and the RTM Finance Committee that she would have a preliminary list of ways to improve the processing of permits by the assessor's office in time for the RTM's March 9 meeting.

In addition to the memo from Murowsky, RTM members received a memo from Town Attorney Ira Bloom outlining some of the legal issues involved in the town seeking to collect taxes on building permits going back to 1998.

He said the easiest cases would be those involving work done on a property where the owner still is there.

The most difficult would be those where the property has changed hands and the original owner has relocated or disappeared.

Bloom said no interest would be payable on the amounts owed since the town never notified the permit applicant that any taxes were due.

He suggested that the taxes owned for some might be "significant" and the town "may consider providing time to pay for these amounts."

Editor's note: The editor of WestportNow is Moderator of the RTM.

Compo Doggie Plunge

One day after hundreds gathered in fog and light rain at Compo Beach for the Special Olympics "Penguin Plunge," a couple of the regular visitors did their doggie plunge with much less attention but much better weather. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

All Quiet at Martha Stewart's as She Plans Strategy

All was quiet at Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill Road South home today as New York newspapers reported she is back in Westport planning strategy to try to clear her name.
The Daily News made it appear as if Martha Stewart posed outside her Westport home, but the small type said "photo illustration." WestportNow.com photo

A black SUV with a private security guard was parked facing outward in her driveway and several photographers waited discreetly up the street. Joggers and dog walkers passed by in sunny, 50-degree weather.

Stewart spent the day inside. Her 89-year-old mother, Martha Kostyra, arrived late in the morning and later went out to run some errands.

Curious neighbors drove by her house and some stopped by to offer words of support.

The New York Post reported she returned home late Friday night while the New York Daily News said she was back Saturday where she was comforted by family and friends.

The Daily News said Stewart was scheduled to hold a teleconference with her attorneys and public relations advisers today to map a strategy to fight her felony convictions and rescue her reputation.

"Since the moment a jury nailed her on four counts Friday, Stewart has gone from a state of shock to quiet anger, remaining stoic throughout, said a source familiar with her reaction," the Daily News said.

It quoted a neighbor and friend, Susan Warburg, as saying: "She's very strong."

The newspaper quoted a source as saying Stewart "has moved beyond regret and is gearing up to fight a verdict that shocked her to the core."

"She said, 'You did a great job, and we'll have to figure out what we'll do from here,'" the newspaper quoted the source as saying. "It was very Martha."

Although upset, Stewart stayed calm and managed to console others after the jury's decision, the source said, according to the newspaper.

When she and her lawyers and advisers retired to a room they had been assigned in the courthouse, some of the advisers were crying and some of the lawyers were in a state of shock. Her daughter Alexis, 38, was speechless, the account said.

Stewart got a little teary but did not break down. Instead she comforted others and suggested that everyone take 24 hours to cool down before discussing the next step, the source told the newspaper.

"She later went back to her Connecticut home without Alexis, where she reviewed news coverage of the conviction, the source said," the Daily News reported.

"Her 89-year-old mother, Martha Kostyra, her sister, Kathy Evans, and her best friends, Susan Chesnoff and Warburg, came by to offer solace, the source said."

It said another neighbor and former best pal, Mariana Pasternak, was not in the group.

Pasternak testified in the trial that during a Mexican vacation, Stewart confided in her that Sam Waksal and his family were trying to dump their ImClone stock - a key bit of evidence that corroborated the government's allegation that Stewart sold after getting an insider tip.

Monday morning Stewart will have to visit the federal probation office to fill out forms for a report that U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum will read before sentencing Stewart in June.

Yacht Club Briefed on Oyster Proposal

Members of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club Saturday night got an update on the controversial application by Mariculture Unlimited to establish an oyster farm off the Saugatuck Harbor entrance. Dan Murdoch (r) chair of the Westport Boating Advisory Committee, briefs the group assisted by John Gillespie, a club member and chair of the "Keep Westport's Waterways Open" group. First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell also attended. See another photo on the community page. Bill Balch for WestportNow.com