Volunteers, including book sale chair Mimi Greenlee (carrying bin), were busy today getting ready for the Westport Public Library’s Annual Friends Holiday Book Sale starting Saturday, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hundreds of pristine, gift worthy books will be available. The sale will continue on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Saturday is the last day to get a discount ticket to Sunday’s Westport Historical Society Holiday House tour. The popular annual 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event features homes and studios of five Westport artists. On view will be sculptures, paintings, multimedia art and an antique ornament collection. Guests may also extend the day at a 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Twilight Soiree to include hor d’oeuvres, wine, live music and auction at the home of another artist. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit Westport Historical Society. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

The Westport Fire Department’s newest recruit, Anthony Maisano, was sworn in today by First Selectman Gordon Joseloff at a Fire Headquarters ceremony. His mother, Mary, then pinned on his badge. Maisano is a University of New Haven graduate where he studied fire science and arson investigation. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Thursday’s sunset as seen along the Saugatuck River in Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

Today marks one month since Storm Sandy roared with a vengeance into Westport, wreaking havoc the town has not seen since the fabled Hurricane of 1938.

Contractor Kevin Leigland at a Saugatuck Shores home a month after Storm Sandy wreaked havoc on the island. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

For some, a month’s passing was just enough time to rebound. Rob Reeves, CEO of the Westport Weston Family Y on Church Lane, annnounced tonight that the facility will finally reopen Friday. The Y had sustained more than $500,000 in damage when floodwaters filled its basement, bringing its electrical and mechanical systems to a grinding halt.

Some downtown businesses will need more time to recover as evidenced by still shuttered Chico’s and the Banana Republic on Main Street.

But for those whom Sandy hit hard where they live, the 31 homes deemed uninhabitable, the recovery will take longer. From Compo Beach to Compo Mill Cove to Saugatuck Island, major restorations are required. Numerous homes will be demolished.

The Westport Weston Family Y announced today that it will reopen Friday at noon on a limited basis after being closed a month because of damage caused by Storm Sandy.

A worker repairs a flood-damaged wall in the Family Y’s Child Care Center. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

It said it has received a temporary certificate of occupancy from town officials.

“I am very proud of the work our staff and contracting partners have done to get us to this point,” said Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO. 

“Superstorm Sandy may have knocked us out of action for a while, but we’re happy to be able to once again serve our 5,500 Members and entire community, even if it means starting on a limited basis at first.”