Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday,
August 17, 2014
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted
Quick
Article Index . . .
It
was a great day to appreciate a veteran.
Westport
Board of Health issues EEE Virus warning.
|
It was a great day to
appreciate a veteran. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, August 16, 2014
VFW Post # 8502, 843
State Road was the site of a family day event Saturday to thank all Veterans
for their service, and to remind them they are not forgotten. The appreciation
event was kicked with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner, followed by
opening remarks from event organizer “Cowboy Al” Cote. And the crowd
really appreciated the singing of the National Anthem by Ms. Ruth Camara. Inset: Lino Rego, Post Commander of
American Legion James Morris Post #145, handled the burgers and dogs. “The non-stop
entertainment was unbelievably talented, the food was delicious, and all the
volunteers in booths, parking lot and elsewhere were extremely hard working
and helpful to guests,” Captain Daryl Gonyon, USAF
Ret. Vietnam veteran said. The John Morris
American Legion Post #145 extended a warm “welcome home” and a “thank you” to
all the Veterans who attended the Appreciation Event. They also thanked the
family and friends who attended along with the various Veterans groups that
supported this event. “I supported the
Westport Veterans Agent when I was Town Administrator from 2002-2004, so I
especially enjoyed this return to Westport. If future years have more of
these Veterans Appreciation Days as these vets have talked about, I hope the
Westport Community stands not only behind them but with them in this effort,”
Gonyon said. “Mission accomplished!” -
Captain Daryl Gonyon, USAF Ret. Vietnam Veteran On stage acts included: “Seems like Old Times,”
George Cataldo (the Silver Fox) and April Barbosa;
Cal Raye and Shindigs; Paul Labonte
with a Sinatra Tribute; Nuvou Duo with Evone; Paul Cabral with Old Time Classics; Josh Bruffee and Farm Hand Band; and Ruth Camara
and Courtney. Raffles and
prizes all day rounded out the fun day for Veterans and guests alike. It was a great
day to Honor a Veteran.
Left: the Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapter #207 table sold tickets for the 50/50 raffle and Chinese
raffle tickets where the main prize was a TV/Tablet. Donations support the
local Veterans’’ food pantry, holiday food baskets, and college
scholarships. Right: “Cowboy
Al” Cote (right) and friend.
Left: Ruth Camara
belting out a tune. Right: Josh
Bruffee and the Farm Hands Band.
Above: The VA New
England Healthcare System had an informational booth encouraging Veterans and
their families to apply for enrollment that assures comprehensive health care
services will be available when and where they are needed. The event was
sponsored by American Legion James Morris Post #145 with assistance of VFW
W.A.&R Ouellette Post # 8502, and Vietnam
Veterans of America Chapter #207. Westport
Board of Health issues EEE Virus warning. Testing
in Westport by the Massachusetts Arbovirus
Surveillance program has found a positive mosquito result for the EEE Virus. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
positive mosquito findings in Westport and a widening swath through
Southeastern Massachusetts should be taken seriously. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, August 17, 2014 Testing in Westport by the Massachusetts Arbovirus
Surveillance program has found a positive mosquito result for the EEE Virus.
The mosquito species found is Culiseta melanura which feeds almost exclusively on birds. The
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) recommend that you take
steps this mosquito season to protect your animals and yourself from West
Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes can begin to multiply in any standing water that remains for
more than four days. Removing these sources on your property, such as water
that may collect in old cans, tires, and birdbaths, can help to reduce the
mosquito population.
Since people are also susceptible to this virus, repellents should also
be used outside when mosquitoes are biting. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) positive mosquito
findings in Westport and a widening swath through Southeastern Massachusetts
should be taken seriously. Click here for more information and learn how to protect yourself from EEE. More Information about WNV & EEE and reports of current and
historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH
website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv
. Linda
Crossley’s duck, Linny Cakes,
takes the 11th Running of the Ducks at South Dartmouth’s Barney’s Joy. The
Fall River resident now has two difficult decisions to make; where in the
world she will have dinner for two, and more importantly, who with! EverythingWestport.com Saturday, August 16, 2014 Allens Pond Sanctuary really should
give a consolation prize for the most curious name these duck handlers give
their entrants! Linda Crossley’s
duck, Linny Cakes, took the 11th Running of
the Ducks at South Dartmouth’s Barney’s Joy, and left many wondering who was Linny Cakes? Never mind, the
Grand Prize winner won dinner for two, anywhere in the world, including
transportation and two-nights lodging when her duck, Linny
Cakes, stayed the course, holding back a field of 5778 bright yellow rubber
ducks to take top honors. Linda can call
her quacker anything she wants; just don’t call her
late for dinner, wherever that turns out to be!
Above, left: The duck
handlers move the pack out to the start line. Right: The quirky quackers
break from the gate in the 11th running of Allens
Pond Duck Derby.
Above, left: Allens Pond Sanctuary Director, Gina Purtell
calls the race as Westport Public Access Coordinator, Valerie Bain tapes all
the action. Right: Linny Cakes takes an
early lead and never looks back.
Above: heading into the
finish booms.
Above: dashing ducky, Linny Cakes is plucked from the fray at the finish line,
winning Fall Riverite Linda Crossley a dinner for
two anywhere in the world. At exactly 10:36
a.m. duck number 4897 now known to be Linny Cakes,
crossed the finish line just ahead of the flock. Duck Number 4897
was never challenged in the 1.1 furlong race at Barney’s Joy. A strong west wind
and incoming tide propelled the competitors to record times, with nary a duck
missing the capture booms at the race’s end. “We’re 30 ducks
shy of a record,” bubbled Gina Purtell, Allens Pond Sanctuary Director. “It was great day for our
Duck Derby, and I’m so excited!”
Above, left: the winning
ducks are brought into shore. Left: volunteers categorize and rank the
winners against the names of the owners.
Above, left: the “slacker duck”
is rescued from the water. Right:
the “stealth duck” is pulled from the finish gate. As well she
should be as the decade-old fundraiser brings in thousands of dollars each
year to assist the conservation and protection efforts of this local Audubon
sanctuary. And it was great
weather for ducks, what with clear skies and balmy temperatures. Race
conditions were perfect. View video of
the 11th Allens Pond Sanctuary’s 2014 Duck
Derby.
Above: the “wranglers”
take on the task of rounding up the remaining ducks out of the field of 5,788
competitors.
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