Westport Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava announced today that the town has decided not to hold the RECing Crew and Camp Compo programs this summer due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

“Due to the many restrictions placed upon camps by the state, the limited number of children that could be served, limitations of our facilities, the challenge of social distancing, and the new unknowns related to Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome, we are concerned about our ability to provide these programs in a safe manner,” Fava said.

“Additionally, they would not be the camp experiences that our campers and parents have come to expect.”

Other Parks and Recreation summer programs are currently being evaluated and restructured to meet the necessary requirements, she said. “Information on these programs and registration will be provided as soon as they are finalized,” she said.

Early morning walkers and joggers today exercised through a fog on Soundview Drive adjoining Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

Westport’s COVID-19 cases were unchanged at 284 while the number of deaths also was unchanged at 22 in the last 24 hours, state officials said today.

There were 48 new fatalities statewide as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total to 3,742, Gov. Ned Lamont said. The Fairfield County number was 1,221, up six.

Statewide hospitalizations were up by five to 706 while In Fairfield County, there was an increase of one to 233. Statewide cases were 40.873, up 405 while Fairfield County cases were at 15,213 up 99.

Statewide tests administered were 221,726 up 7,590 in the last 24 hours, Lamont said

With cancellation of this year’s Memorial Day Parade, Westport artist Miggs Burroughs pulled out his colonial George Washington garb and had a parade of one. He adds: “The Westport Woman’s Club’s annual Yankee Doodle Fair will return when it’s safe for us all to be together again!” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Memorial Day Parades have been the most photographed event in town. WestportNow contributing photographer David Dreyfuss has been shooting them for years. He put together this collection, which can be viewed by clicking HERE. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

For Bill Vornkahl, 89, Memorial Day today is at best bittersweet.

Bill Vornkahl supervises at an earlier Westport Memorial Day parade. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WN file photo

Yes, he had the privilege of watching his two grown granddaughters place a memorial wreath honoring fallen armed service members at the foot of the Doughboy statute in Veterans Green during a small ceremony.

But today was the first time in more than 75 years that Vornkahl did not participate in the Memorial Day Parade.

“Terrible,” said Vornkahl, who served as a corporal during the Korean conflict. “I’m a parade guy.”

With Westport’s Memorial Day Parade canceled because of the coronavirus, Westport police, fire, and EMS held their own mini-parade today—with masks—on Myrtle Avenue in front of Town Hall and Veterans Green. There was also a small ceremony on Veterans Green. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Fire Department photo