WestportNow contributing photographer Phyllis Groner recently returned from a week-long visit to Cuba. She captured these images in and around Havana. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

In the wake of national concerns about the militarization of police departments, an issue brought to the forefront by the police response to rioting in Ferguson, Mo., Westport Police Chief Dale Call weighed in on his department’s receipt of military surplus over the years.

One of two Humvees Westport Police received as military surplus. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“Define militarized,” Call said in an interview. “Police departments have been organized in the paramilitary structure since the beginning of time, but at the end of the day, we’re don’t function as the military, nor should we ever.”

With Westport being an affluent community and not being strapped for equipment, “we don’t ask for what we don’t need,” from the Department of Defense (DOD) through its 1033 program, Call said. The program gives without charge military resources no longer used, from guns to Humvees.

The Washington Post reported last week that in 2013 the 1033 program gave about $500 million worth of equipment to local departments, mostly for natural disaster responses, items such as tents, generators, ATVs and pickup trucks. However, law enforcement agencies can also tap the program for more formidable items: aircraft, grenade launchers and tactical vehicles.

(Editor’s Note: WestportNow today inaugurates a new occasional series, WN Spotlight, featuring people and places that make our town special.)

By Larissa Lieberson

From the moment your paws step into Poster Animal Hospital at 1677 Post Road East, you can sense the joy only animal lovers know. Dogs wag their tails excitedly, and employees and pet owners mingle like old friends.

Joan Poster: “Saving a life is one of the best feelings out there.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

This kindred feeling of community is one of the main reasons this mom and pop practice has been in town so long. The animal hospital is currently celebrating 30 years in Westport.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere else,” says Bette Demartini, a client of 20 years.

Animal lover Joan Poster, who earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania, first opened Poster Animal Hospital in 1984.

WestportNow has won 13 citations, including six first-place prizes, in the 2013 Society of Professional Journalists Connecticut Chapter Excellence in Journalism competition. The awards were announced Thursday night at the group’s annual banquet in Wallingford.

First-place winner: Helen Klisser During won a first-place prize in the 2013 Society of Professional Journalists Connecticut Chapter competition for this photo of an anguished girl at the 9/11 ceremony last year at Sherwood Island State Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

First place winners included James Lomuscio for his coverage of Westport’s reaction to the Little League’s team success last summer as well as a story on the Blues, Views and BBQ Festival; Helen Klisser During for her photo of a an anguished girl at the 9/11 ceremony at Sherwood Island; Douglas Healey for his photo series on the funeral of a Westport U.S. Marine in Massachusetts and for a photo of the Little League World Series action, and Mark Molesworth for his photo of an Egret in flight.

Other WestportNow awards went to Lomusico, two second place citations for his story on the closing of Sally’s Place on Main Street and his story on the Board of Education’s health insurance account troubles; Healey, a second place citation for a World Series action photo; Dave Matlow, second and third place citations for his photo of a car fire on the Merritt Parkway and his photo of a gas line explosion on Westfair Drive; Lynn U. Miller, a second place citation for her photo series of First Night, and Elena Radu a second place citation for her photo of rowers in Halloween witch hats.

Since the competition was opened to online publications in 2007, WestportNow has won 37 citations in the annual competitions, which are judged by out-of-state professional journalists. See complete 2013 winner list here.

The year 2013 in Westport—the 11th year of publication of WestportNow—was another busy period with extremes of joy and deep sadness.

A visitor to Westport’s Compo Beach in January found himself the object of much attention from the sea gulls. Maybe it was the old cracker he had in his hand. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Westport Little Leaguers magic ride to the Little League World Series created a wave of hometown pride while the tragic death of Marine Lance Cpl. Roger W. Muchnick Jr. in a training accident brought tears to many.

Day in and day out, WestportNow was there as we have been 24/7 since 2003. We are deeply grateful for contributions of news and photos from our readers and look forward to continuing to serve you in 2014 with the kind of knowledgable coverage only a hometown publication can produce. We are also deeply grateful for the advertising support received and urge you to patronize our advertisers.

As is our tradition, our New Year’s gift to readers is a photo review of the past year. Entries include major events, and some not so major. But they were all part of life in Westport in 2013. To enjoy, CLICK HERE. Happy New Year!

Scenes from Storm Sandy as it devastated Westport a year ago. The storm destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and left some Westporters in the dark for more than a week. WestportNow.com and contributed photos