DoingItLocal

The Stratford Library “Books Over Coffee” program will continue through the summer with special online discussions of Kim M. Richardson’s The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, on Wednesday, July 28 and Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce on Wednesday, August 25. The Zoom programs, hosted by Linda LiDestri and Tom Holehan, will be held between 12-1 pm.  The book talks are free and open to the public.

The bestselling historical fiction, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, follows Cussy Mary Carter, a packhorse librarian and her quest to bring books to the Appalachian community she loves. The hardscrabble folks of Troublesome Creek have to scrap for everything—everything except books, that is. Thanks to Roosevelt’s Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project, Troublesome’s got its very own traveling librarian.

In Miss Benson’s Beetle it is 1950 and London is still reeling from World War II. Margery Benson, a spinster schoolteacher with a passion for travel, is trying to get through life, surviving on scraps. One day, she reaches her breaking point, abandoning her job and small existence to set out on an expedition. Saddled with a travelling companion the polar opposite of her, she travels to the other side of the world in search of her childhood obsession: an insect that may or may not exist—the golden beetle of New Caledonia.

Limited reading copies of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and Miss Benson’s Beetleare available for loan at the library’s Circulation Desk.  All “Books Over Coffee” titles are available at the Library or on Kindle eReaders for loan.  Patrons can also download the eBook or eaudiobook through the OverDrive app at the Library.  The updated “Books Over Coffee” schedule through December 2021 is currently available at the Library.

For further information call: 203.385-4162 or register online and receive an invitation link for The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek at: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/7743539 and Miss Benson’s Beetle at: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/7743539.

This press release was made possible by:

2021-07-12 @ 12:33am–#Bridgeport CT– Firefighters are on scene in the 2200 block of Main Street where there is smoke in an apartment.

This news report is made possible by:

2021-07-11@1:50am— #Bridgeport News: Another news warrior called to let me know that 2 women were robbed going to their on Main at Federal Street. Taken was their purses and cellphones. This is the kind of news not being reported. I’ll hear the shootings and stabbings but street robberies are not being reported. Message me on Facebook or phone/text 203-769-6961. I just want to keep you safe!

This news report is made possible by:

UPDATE: 1 person is dead in this shooting.

2021-07-11@ 12:58AM—#Bridgeport CT– 2 SHOT at the club at Lexington and Harral Avenue. One reported to be in critical condition.

2021-07-10@7:43pm–#Bridgeport CT– A man was shot in the groin on Ogden Street according to a number of viewers. This is FOUR shootings and one home invasion that our viewers had to report to me. You can’t hide these Mr. Mayor. The media USE to get reports of “assault with a dangerous weapon” from the police department but this is the fifth missed report. You might be able to hide it from me but the public obviously wants it reported. City council is equal to blame as they sit idly by not caring about being informed or doing anything about the violence themselves. Thank you Nancy for providing this picture.

2021-07-10@6:56pm–#Bridgeport CT– A pedestrian was hit by a gray Saab at Brewster and Fairfield Avenue and the driver fled the scene. I ‘m happy to report the pedestrian had minor injuries and the have the plate number of the car.

This news report is made possible by:

2021-07-10@1:11pm–#Westport CT– First responders on the way West Beach at Sherwood Island for a 10 year old stung by a jellyfish. If you are going to any beach keep an eye out for them!

This news report is made possible by:

2021-07-10@1:00pm– Connecticut State Police are alerting all their patrols for an escapee from the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center in the Bronx. I’m not sure if its to alert border patrols or if maybe the escapee is from Connecticut but be alert!

This news report is made possible by:

2021-07-10@12:45PMish–Stratford CT– A blue Dodge Caravan was taken at gunpoint at the Cumberland Farms according to radio reports.

This news report is made possible by:

Westport, CT – The Town is pleased to announce the launch of its new economic opportunity website, Choosewestport.com. Choosewestport.com is a public partnership between commercial developers, real estate agents and the Town.  It describes the benefits of opening and operating a business in Westport. A planned coordinated digital marketing campaign will attract people to the site where they can learn about Westport’s entrepreneurial attractions and real estate opportunities. 

The initial Choosewestport.com marketing campaign targets small businesses, entrepreneurs and other professionals currently operating in the metro region. The campaign will invite interested parties to explore the benefits of locating and/or relocating to Westport and will focus on sustaining and increasing the current interest in Westport’s commercial markets.

First Selectman Jim Marpe stated, “the Choosewestport.com website speaks to the vibrant economy in this community. It will provide a sustainable forum and a gateway to the existing network of successful entrepreneurs and professionals in Westport that is both inspiring and enriching.  If you are the leader of a startup, an established business, or are affiliated with a larger organization and need a local satellite office as you transition from work-from-home, we encourage you to look at the opportunities that exist here in Westport.”

In 2019, the Town issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) from qualified marketing firms to advertise the benefits of living and working in Fairfield County.  Westport-based branding firm, The Visual Brand, was chosen to create the website, creative content and arrange the digital advertisements.  Since that time, videos have been created to document local business success stories in the retail, small business, and financial services sectors. Kitt Shapiro of retail store West, Matt Levey and Tom Donigan, co-founders of Field Trip Snacks, and Justin and Christy Charise of Saugatuck Financial are spokespeople in those videos. 

Randy Herbertson, Principal of The Visual Brand and Chair of the Downtown Planning & Implementation Committee noted, “Those of us who live and work in Westport enjoy the vibrancy, amenities and community of Westport.  These are all marketable assets, and the timing is ripe for attracting new business and enhancing Westport’s exposure beyond our own lines.  Thank you to Leifer Properties and David Adam Realty for contributing to this effort.”

Choosewestport.com also has a platform to support existing businesses in Westport. A separate forthcoming video campaign is directed at attracting the best and most diverse workforce into Westport. This campaign focuses on local business and Town government employees who explain their reasons why they love working in Westport and why they find the Town to be an inclusive community.  These videos will be available for use by all local businesses to recruit successful entrepreneurs and to direct interest in Westport.

Westport Operations Director Sara Harris stated, “Westport will be monitoring the metrics of the digital advertisements to ensure the campaign is meeting its goals.  It is a very scalable initiative that can be altered or enhanced as new needs arise in the business community in Westport. We continue to invite more private investment into Choosewestport.com.  Any commercial entity that wishes to join the collaborative partnership can reach out to me for more information at Sharris@westportct.gov.”

This press release was made possible by: