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How George Washington used his first Thanksgiving as president to unite a new country

President George Washington aimed to unify the country with his first Thanksgiving message. (Getty Images)

On Thursday, Nov. 26, 1789, George Washington woke early. Assisted by his enslaved valets – William “Billy” Lee and the young Christopher Sheels – he powdered his hair, put on his favorite black velvet suit, tied his white neckwear and donned his yellow gloves.

Finally ready, he set out to travel the short distance from the President’s House, at what used to be 3 Cherry Street, New York, and St. Paul’s Chapel, which still stands at 209 Broadway. Continue reading How George Washington used his first Thanksgiving as president to unite a new country

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Thank you from NancyOnNorwalk

A bird of pray on Ponus Avenue. (Paul Cantor)

In many ways, this job is a dream. I love Norwalk and really love being your intrepid reporter. I will say, though, that it’s as much a surprise to me as to anyone else that NancyOnNorwalk is still around, and even more of a surprise that it is going strong and growing. A couple of years ago, I was ready to give up because I never thought it was going to become self-sustaining. But Claire Schoen, the rest of the Board of Directors and YOU have come through.  Your financial support helps us to broaden and deepen the content; as you can see from some of the comments, there’s always more to do.

We all know this year is tough. I would like more of my family around this Thanksgiving, but that’s not happening so it’s a little painful. But in the spirit of what’s happening today – in spite of this awful pandemic – I thought I would say — Thank you.

And this part is from the Board of Directors:

 

The time is now. Trusted reporting like ours has never mattered more.

Give today and NewsMatch will double the impact of your donation.

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A Thanksgiving message

Gov. Ned Lamont. (File photo)

This year, our family’s table will have fewer people gathered around it than we’re used to. It’s tempting to see that as another sign of the times, but I choose to see it as a reminder of the inspiring efforts made by the everyday people of Connecticut to make this meal possible for us all. Words cannot express how grateful I am to live in a state where its residents look after one another, respect one another, and offer help when someone is in need. For that I thank you. Continue reading A Thanksgiving message

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Norwalk Black leaders see hope in BoE change, a ‘step in right direction’

Colin Hosten speaks to Norwalk Democrats in 2018. (File photo)

NORWALK, Conn. — Bruce Morris, a former Norwalk Public Schools employee known for sharp criticism of the district, is among the community leaders praising changes in the Board of Education.

The comments follow the election last week of three Board members who have only served for a year to the Board’s executive committee. Colin Hosten was made Chairman, replacing Sarah LeMieux; Diana Carpio was chosen as Vice Chairwoman, replacing Heidi Keyes, and Godfrey Azima was elected to continue as secretary.

“I think it’s a phenomenal thing,” Morris said Tuesday. “It will be great to see what these new Board members do. I am confident that the remaining Board members will do what they can support them, and they’ll work together as a team. The rest, we will see as it goes along.” Continue reading Norwalk Black leaders see hope in BoE change, a ‘step in right direction’

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Norwalk photos: Brown water

(Contributed)

(Contributed)

Updated,10:52 a.m.: Response from the First Taxing District.

NORWALK, Conn. — Multiple Norwalkers are complaining about brown water in the Spring Hill Area. They say the First Taxing District has “no real answers” about the problem.

“The District began experiencing intermittent calls from customers regarding dirty water in the Spring Hill neighborhood a few weeks ago. In these cases the discoloration cleared after the customer was advised to let the water run,” First Taxing District Water Department Manager of Administration Eleanor Militana said in a Wednesday email. Continue reading Norwalk photos: Brown water

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Lamont raises fines to $10,000 for businesses that break COVID capacity limits

Gov. Ned Lamont speaks to the media outside of Pfizer in Groton on July 22 to discuss the company’s research to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. (Tyler Russell, Connecticut Public Radio)

With an executive order that allows a maximum fine of $10,000 on businesses that violate COVID-19 capacity restrictions, Gov. Ned Lamont fired a warning shot Tuesday night timed to the start of the holiday shopping season.

The new penalty takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thanksgiving and represents a twenty-fold increase in the present maximum fine of $500, one that has been imposed sparingly by local public health officials.  Continue reading Lamont raises fines to $10,000 for businesses that break COVID capacity limits

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Lamont urges residents to temper holiday gatherings to guard against COVID spread

(CTMirror.org)

Rebuffs call from teachers’ unions to end in-school instruction after Thanksgiving

Gov. Ned Lamont appealed Monday for Connecticut residents to temper their holiday gatherings — and shopping — with social distancing and other precautions to avoid accelerating the fall coronavirus spread.

Lamont, who announced the state’s infection rates dropped modestly over the past weekend, rebuffed a request from Connecticut’s teachers’ unions to close all schools to in-person instruction following the Thanksgiving break.

“We need your help on this,” Lamont said Monday during a televised briefing, appealing to residents planning to gather with family and friends on Thanksgiving, or to hit the stores for Black Friday — one of the busiest retail shopping days of the year. “If we see a lot of evidence of casual behavior, we will step in.” Continue reading Lamont urges residents to temper holiday gatherings to guard against COVID spread

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A Norwalk photo #80

A view from Harbor Avenue.

NORWALK, Conn. — In the foreground, Harbor Commons Condominiums, located at 43 Harbor Ave. In the background, Quincy Lofts, located at 30 Orchard St.

Quincy Lofts was built in 2016 by Belpointe Capital, as part of the Waypointe complex.

Harbor Commons was built in 1946, according to a real estate ad. Almost all of its 44 units are owned by Harborview Norwalk LLC; Belpointe Capital is principal of Harborview Norwalk LLC.

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Failing report card on harbor shakes up Norwalk, inspires action plan

A dead fish, Saturday morning in the Norwalk River. (Claire Schoen)

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk’s harbor keepers are pushing back on a recent “report card” giving the inner harbor an “F,” while preparing to push for equipment to monitor water quality 24/7.

Save the Sound, an environmental nonprofit, released its 2020 Long Island Sound Report Card last month. It included data for bays “along the margin of the Sound” for the first time and flunked Norwalk’s inner harbor, the worst bay rating in Connecticut.

Now, Norwalk’s Harbor Management Commission is seeking about $70,000 to to install new buoys that would take and relay measurements directly to onshore computers. Commissioners, along with Mayor’s Water Quality Committee Chairman Joe Schnierlein, are blasting the Save the Sound report card as using dated, limited information that they contend indicates a lack of understanding of how Norwalk’s harbor works. Continue reading Failing report card on harbor shakes up Norwalk, inspires action plan

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Two NPD officers leave department, in wake of police accountability bill

Norwalk Police headquarters.

NORWALK, Conn. — Two Norwalk police officers have left the department due to the “current climate,” Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik said.

“I hope there are not others in the near future but I am told of rumors that one or more that are eligible to retire may do so earlier than they had planned,” Kulhawik said Nov. 11 in an email to NancyOnNorwalk. Continue reading Two NPD officers leave department, in wake of police accountability bill

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Please – stay home

Send signed letters to [email protected]

Dear Norwalk, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, Everyone:

I am quite sad today as I look at the news, read the social media, and listen to the radio. We are so very divided at a time that we should look to come together in unity to defeat an enemy that in its elegance is praying on our better instincts. I know that this has been a hard eight months. For me it has been wrought with anxiety, sadness, pain and fear. But now we are facing decisions that have the ability to shape the next few months into complete and utter chaos and death or a holding pattern that will get us to a vaccine that will get us back on the road to recovery and spare the loss of life. Continue reading Please – stay home

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Maritime aquarium, gift boxes and your holiday garbage pickup schedule

The five entrepreneurs who banded together to assemble gift boxes to sell, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to Person-to-Person. (Courtesy photo)

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk announcements for you:

  • Essential workers offered free Maritime Aquarium ticket this week
  • First Aid Gift Box for sale
  • Garbage/recycling schedule this week

Continue reading Maritime aquarium, gift boxes and your holiday garbage pickup schedule

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