Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Quick Article Index . . .
Veteran
camaraderie reflects love of country, discipline, mission, courage.
Fall
River Companies recognized with 2017 Manufacturing Caucus Awards 2017!
Westport’s
Winter Farmer’s Market returns for a second year inside the Town Hall Annex.
Southcoast Health offering $125,000 through its Community
Benefits Impact Opportunity program grants
to help address region’s unmet health needs.
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Veteran camaraderie reflects love of country,
discipline, mission, courage. EverythingWestport.com November
12, 2017 Photos |
EverythingWestport.com
Special
Correspondent to EverythingWestport.com WESTPORT – Former Selectman Antone Vieira Jr.
joked with friend and fellow veteran Richard Spirlet that Spirlet had fought
in World War II. Spirlet, also a former selectman, acknowledged that he was not quite
old enough to have served in that war. This light moment before Saturday's Veterans Day ceremony was followed
by some more serious and solemn moments, especially after Spirlet spotted a
friend in the crowd who had served in World War II. Along with the older World War II generations, the ceremony also
brought out younger soldiers, including 19- year old private Trent
Rodrigues. Veterans Agent Brad Fish noted that 452 town residents have enlisted
since 9/11 -- proving there is no shortage of patriotism in Westport.
Retired Col. Lt. Donald Elbert, a Vietnam War marine, was the keynote
speaker who reminded participants how fortunate they are to live in American.
“It is a day of reflection, much like Christmas and the 4th
of July. Let’s reflect on what a fortunate country we are,” Elbert said.
Elbert touched upon the amendments to the constitution that have helped give
Americans the freedoms that they enjoy.
“We stagger at the total debt we owe to
the untold number of American veterans who chose to set aside their personal
ambitions and dreams... those who make tremendous sacrifices for their
advancement and surety of our liberty.” – Guest speaker Donald Albert, Ret. Lt. Colonel U.S. Marines Corps Elbert detailed all of the major conflicts, from the Revolutionary War
to some of the more recent conflicts. Elbert reminded all present that if one
or two events happened differently, our country could have turned
out. Trent Rodrigues, 19, an Army private and a 2016 graduate of Westport
High School, represented the younger generation of soldiers. Rodrigues joined a patriotic group of Boy Scouts Troops 3 and 100, who
laid the ceremonial wreath in honor of veterans. Rodrigues also talked to the press about his motivations for joining
the military.
“I didn’t do it for the benefits, the schooling or any of that,”
Rodrigues said after the ceremony. “I did it for the love of country. I
love my country and always will.” Selectmen Chairwoman Shana Shufelt noted how
many veterans return from armed service to serve their country and
communities in other ways. She urged veterans to share their stories of
triumph, fear and courage and to remember that they are not alone. “Some of you came back with terrible burdens,” she said. “We want to
share your burden and we want to serve you the same way you served us.” “On behalf of the Westport Board of Selectmen I would like to thank
all of you who have served our country. I want to thank you not just for your
service while you were in your uniform. Your experiences that you had shaped
and transformed you. And you brought that back with you when you came back to
your community. You continue to serve your community in and out of uniform.
Your community needs to learn from you.” – Shana Shufelt, Vice Chair Board of Selectmen
“Our veterans represent the very best of America. They have bravely
answered the call to serve in the finest military force in the world, and
they have earned the dignity that comes with wearing the uniform and defending
our great flag. On Veterans Day, we honor all Americans who have served in
the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, both in times of war and
peace. For nearly 100 years, since the end of World War I, Veterans Day has
given us a time to pay due respect to our veterans, who have passed the torch
of liberty from one generation to the next.” - President Donald J. Trump Click here to read full
proclamation. Fall River Companies recognized
with 2017 Manufacturing Caucus Awards
2017! EverythingWestport.com Sunday, November 12, 2017 Photos |
Submitted
State Representatives Paul Schmid (D-Westport), Carole Fiola (D-Fall River), Alan Silvia (D-Fall River) and
State Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) recognized three local Fall
River manufacturing companies for their excellence and innovation at the 2017
Manufacturer of the Year Award presented by the Massachusetts Legislative
Manufacturing Caucus. Power Docks LLC, Merrow Manufacturing, and GS Rubber, all of Fall River, were nominated and awarded
during a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House. State elected officials, members of the caucus and awardees were
present for the ceremony. Speakers included Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Executive Office
of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Jay Ash, Speaker of the House
Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg. Power Docks LLC, led by Chris
Fagan and Anthony Baro, was nominated for their contributions
to marine sustainability and innovation. Power Docks has tapped into the raw
potential of the South Coast region in Massachusetts to launch their
innovative business that utilizes solar energy to store, generate, and
disperse renewable solar energy to marine vessels wirelessly. This is done
with solar arrays in marinas in Fall River and Newport, Rhode Island which
have been a large hit with many marine companies. Power Docks is located within and has worked in close partnership with
the innovative incubator Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. “I am honored to have the
opportunity to recognize Power Docks, and Anthony and Chris, for their
contributions to the South Coast maritime industry,” said Representative
Schmid. “Through their involvement with the CIE at UMass Dartmouth,
they are able to utilize the unique landscape in Fall River to continue
marine and underwater innovation. I look forward to following their
work in our region for years to come.” Merrow Manufacturing, a technical soft goods manufacturer in
the United States, is known for developing and building apparel, gear and
instrumented soft goods. Established in 1838 as a diverse manufacturing
operation, they are currently managed by the 7th Generation Brothers, Owen
& Charlie Merrow. “I was proud to nominate Merrow
Manufacturing as manufacturer of the year in my district” said Representative
Fiola. “The Merrow
brothers truly dedicate their lives to ensuring quality goods are created
right here in our community with their highly trained employees and are
always searching for new and innovative ways to expand their products to
consumers.” GS Rubber was nominated for their contribution to
creating high precision elastomer products for the ever evolving machinery
and technology industry. The company has evolved to be one of the
leading manufacturers of rubber products in Fall River since 1993. “These awards provide recognition for job creation which stimulate our
economy and provide educational opportunities for the people of the South
Coast and GS Rubber is a great example of such,”
said Representative Silvia. “Congratulations to Power
Docks, Merrow Manufacturing, and GS Rubber for being named recipients of the 2017 Manufacturer
of the Year Awards,” said Senator Rodrigues. “These innovative companies are
reviving and reshaping manufacturing in the SouthCoast.” The Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus seeks to increase
Massachusetts’ competitiveness in manufacturing by providing legislative
support. Established in 2013, the caucus has sought to help revitalize the
manufacturing sector within Massachusetts and has held annual manufacturing
awards ceremony since 2016.
Westport’s Winter Farmer’s Market
returns for a second year inside the Town Hall Annex. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, November 12, 2017 Westport’s Economic Development Task Force will sponsor the second
annual Westport Winter Market on seven Saturday mornings November 11th
through December 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The market will take place indoors on the basketball court in the
basement of the Westport Town Hall Annex, 856 Main Road in Central Village. Many area farmers and craft-makers will participate in the market,
according to the task force. On the food side are Paradise Hill Farm with
vegetables, apples, jams, wreaths, honey and more; Skinny Dip Farm with
organic produce; Weatherlow Farms with beef,
chickens, eggs, flowers and more; Barri Throop with
jams and jellies, wreaths and other holiday items; and Gray’s Grist Mill with
Jonnycake meal, maple syrup and bean/ground coffee. On the craft side, Hill Crest Alpacas will have — you guessed it —
“everything alpaca”; the team of Sharon Owens, Biz Parris and Sugar Broughton
will have hand-woven baskets, cane, pottery and other items; Casey Candles
with soy candles; Lynn McCarthy with jewelry and other crafts; Hidden Gardens
with flower arrangements and wreaths; Liz Wilcox with Lookout! embroidery designs; and Chris Wiley with Chrismark Gifts, knitted and crocheted clothing. New to this year’s market are
Ray’s Kettle Korn, Wagmore
Dog Treats and Abbey Julian tie-dye goods, photos and note cards. More
vendors are likely to sign up before the market opens, according to the task
force. “We are very pleased with the enthusiasm we have received from local
farmers and crafts-people,” organizers said in a statement, adding that last
year’s market was well-attended. More information is available by contacting Maury May at 508.636.9934
or mauriceedwardmay@gmail.com,
or Steve Connors at 401.447.5650 or steveconnors@charter.net.
Southcoast
Health offering $125,000 through its Community Benefits Impact Opportunity
program grants to help address region’s unmet health needs. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, November 12, 2017 NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health
announced today that it is now accepting grant proposals for its 2018
Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program, which will award up to
$125,000 to not-for-profit organizations across the region. “As a not-for-profit health system, we are driven by our mission of
promoting the optimal health and well-being of individuals in the communities
we serve. Safeguarding and improving the health of hundreds of thousands men,
women and children in the South Coast region is a passion and commitment that
we take very seriously,” said Keith A. Hovan,
President & CEO of Southcoast Health. “We work
collaboratively with many community partners and we are happy to be able to
support this work through our annual grant process.” During its first two years, the program has awarded 53 community impact grants totaling more than $250,000. Grant proposals must align with the health priority areas identified
in Southcoast Health’s most recent Community
Benefits Report. Past grantees represent a variety of programs that
positively impact communities across the South Coast. These range from a
program providing laundry services to homeless residents, to outreach and
care coordination and support groups for residents impacted by the opioid
crisis. Other projects promote wellness through programs that impact healthy
eating and opportunities for physical activity. “We look at optimal health from a broad definition and understand that
many factors can impact health,” noted Kerry Mello, Community Benefits
Manager for Southcoast Health. “These include the
social determinants of health such as food security, housing, educational and
work opportunities, and safe neighborhoods and outdoor spaces where there are
opportunities for all to engage in healthy activities.” The annual Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program is part of
larger community benefits efforts which positively impacts hundreds of
thousands of residents on the South Coast. In the most recently reported
fiscal year 2016, Southcoast Health invested almost
$20 million in community benefits initiatives, including charity care,
hospital-based programs, collaboration with federally qualified community
health centers, regional health and human service partnerships and support of
community health programs. The deadline for submission of a grant proposal is 5: p.m. on Friday,
December 1, 2017. To obtain a copy of the application, contact Rachel Davis
at davisr@southcoast.org
or visit www.southcoast.org/communitybenefits. - - - - - End - - - - - ©
2017 Community Events of Westport
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