Sunday, December 03, 2023

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Staples Principal: Homecoming “Very Negative Experience”

At least five students at Westport’s Staples High School became intoxicated during Saturday’s homecoming celebration, prompting a plea from the school’s principal to parents to help him do something about it.WestportNow.com Image
John Dodig: makes plea to parents. WN file photo

“We can’t ignore…that portions of Homecoming have evolved into something very negative and potentially dangerous to our students,” John Dodig wrote in an e-mail Tuesday to all Staples parents.

“That is the part I cannot ignore or accept. Let’s make something positive out of a very negative experience.”

Officers tended to at least five intoxicated students—all females—in the Staples and adjacent Bedford Middle School parking lots prior to Saturday’s football game against Norwalk High School, according to police.

Comings and Goings: Fresh Market to Open Oct. 14

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The Fresh Market opens its first store in Connecticut on Oct. 14 at 605 Post Road East in the space formerly occupied by Shaw’s. According to an official at the company’s Greensboro, N.C. headquarters, the Westport store will be its 92nd and in its 18th state. Workers today were putting the final touches on the renovation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

U.S. Postal Service Sets Westport Hearing for Oct. 22

Westport First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff said today that the U.S. Postal Service has notified his office that it will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Westport Town Hall auditorium to discuss the move of the Westport Post Office.

“I encourage all interested Westport residents to attend this forum,” said Joseloff. 

“This is an opportunity for residents to express their concerns regarding not only the main post office, but also the closure of the Saugatuck station.”

The Postal Service “suspended service” at the Saugatuck station on Sept. 5 and said it was seeking another location.

Author Kate Walbert Traces Five Generations of Women

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Author Kate Walbert discussed her latest book, “A Short History of Women,” at a Westport Public Library appearance today. The novel follows five generations of women from the British suffrage movement through 1970s consciousness-raising to the age of Facebook as they struggle against oppression. “Unlike most authors who research and research and research and write detailed outlines before writing a book, I do not do that,” she said. “When I start I usually don’t have a clue.  Instead, I write and write and let my characters emerge.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

State and Town to Honor World War II Vets on Saturday

The State of Connecticut and the Town of Westport will honor Westport World War II veterans Saturday in a ceremony at Bedford Middle School.

The 11 a.m. event in the school auditorium is part of Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz’s Public Service Awards program. It honors vets “for their exemplary service and unwavering courage.”

The state and town compiled the invitation list after researching state and local archives. More than 275 invitations have been sent to individuals, families, relatives, and friends, said First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff.

The Office of the Secretary of the State Public Service Awards Program began in 2001. Since then, the office has honored thousands of Connecticut residents for their commitment to public service.

Playhouse Sets Community Open House Oct. 24

The Westport Country Playhouse will present a special community open house, “Our Town, Your Playhouse,” on Saturday, Oct. 24, offering activities for children, families, teens and adults.WestportNow.com Image
“Our Town” aired on Showtime and PBS. Contributed photo

The 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. event will include a screening of the Playhouse’s 2002 production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” with Paul Newman in the role of the Stage Manager, at 7 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public.  Reservations are necessary for workshops and the “Our Town” film by calling 203-227-4177.

Children’s events, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will feature storytelling with books from the Playhouse’s 2010 Family Festivities series, including “Laura Ingalls Wilder” and “Charlotte’s Web”; bean-bag toss; face-painting; and “Design Your Own Set” coloring table.  An artist will draw caricatures from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday is Household Hazardous Waste Day

Public Works Director Stephen Edwards today reminded residents that Westport has scheduled a household hazardous waste collection day for Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Westport Weston Health District, 180 Bayberry Lane.

“This is an opportunity for residents to clean out their basements and garages of general household hazardous materials,” said Edwards.

The department issued a list of common items found in households that can be disposed of on Saturday:

Garage: degreasers, gasoline, kerosene, mineral spirits, oil-based paints, paint strippers, paint thinners, solvents, stains, turpentine, varnishes, wood preservatives, etc.

Carole J. Picard

Carole J. Picard, of Milford, formerly of Westport, and wife of William Smith, passed away Monday, Sept. 28 at Connecticut Hospice, Branford.

Carole was born in Norwalk, daughter of the late Thomas and Bertha (Bogdansky) Cotroneo and had resided in Westport for many years before moving to Milford 30 years ago.

She was the co-owner of the Finishing Touch Gift Shop in Fairfield for many years.

Survivors in addition to her husband include one Aunt, several cousins and many devoted friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. in Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main St.

The Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorial contributions in memory of Carole may be made to Conn Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford CT 06405. 

Jane (Dolly) L. Wilcox, 80

Jane (Dolly) L. Wilcox, 80, of Westport, wife of Anthony L. Wilcox, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Mrs. Wilcox was born July 9, 1929 in Norwalk and has been a lifelong resident of Westport. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs. Wilcox also loved music and was a fan of western films.

Survivors in addition to her husband of 59 years, include two daughters, Nancy A. O’Neill of Westport, and Mary C. Purcell and her husband Thomas of Westport; two sons, David P. Wilcox and his wife Kimberly of Norwalk, John A. Wilcox of Westport, two brothers, Joseph Izzo of Westport, Peter Izzo of Strafford, Pa., 11 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Friday from 9 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. The funeral will leave the funeral home at 9:40 a.m. and go to Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Wilcox may be made to Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210