A kite boarder enjoys the ride today in the waters off of Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com
Team Myer Leads Suicide Prevention Walk
Team Myer, supporting the family of Westport Police Sgt. Robert Myer, 48, who took his own life in May, led today’s Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Myer’s wife, Beth (l), was part of the team, which included family, friends, and present and retired Westport police officers. The team raised almost $13,000 in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Emotional Plea from Westport Police Officer’s Wife
Beth Myer, wife of Westport Police Sgt. Robert Myer, 48, who took his own life in May, (see WestportNow May 4, 2016) today made an emotional plea to help bring depression and suicide out of the shadows. Addressing hundreds taking part in the Out of Darkness suicide prevention walk at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, she said, “Suicides correlates with mental health and mental health is a stigma. The conversations need to start and they need to change.” She said her husband, a 23-year veteran of the force, was “humorous and fun-loving, always looking for a laugh.” But, she added, “Unfortunately, it was his despair that overshadowed his awareness of how much he meant to the loved ones around him.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
Walking to Prevent Suicide
Hundreds took part today in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness walk at Sherwood Island State Park. The event included remarks from those who have contemplated suicide as well as from family members of those who took their own life. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
River Scene
Sunday, October 23, 2016
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Saugatuck Congregational Church – Saugatuck Nursery School Fall Harvest Festival
12:30 p.m. – Sherwood Island State Park – Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk (registration begins 11 a.m.)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Library – WestportMAKES: Zombie Flash Mob with Chris Crowe
2 p.m. – Town Hall – Westport Arts Advisory Committee T.E.A. Talk: Earnings vs Yearnings
3 p.m. – Westport Country Playhouse – “Camelot”
See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar
Making a Difference
Westport today participated in the national Make A Difference Day for the 21st year. Barbara Pearson Rac, event coordinator, said 32 projects were registered throughout town. They included a “drop-in” effort at Branson Hall at Christ & Holy Trinity Church (above) in which volunteers assembled toiletry bags for homeless men, comfort bags for women entering the shelters at the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, and arts and crafts kits for children in need. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Compo Walk
High Schoolers in Distracted Driving Event
The Teen Awareness Group (TAG), the Westport Police and the Westport Youth Commission in collaboration with the Westport Police Youth Club today hosted their fourth annual distracted driving event at Staples High School. About 75 high school students experienced the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. On Sunday, TAG will team up with Staples High School staff and students to participate in the Walk Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk at Sherwood Island State Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Halloween Artist at Work
Ben Roland, 15, of Westport, a sophomore at Staples High School, today paints a haunted house for sale in the window of Halstead Property, 379 Post Road East. The project is an entry in the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Halloween window painting contest. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo