‘Weston High’s Pascal Arvoy throws the javelin at the South-West Conference boys track championship on Monday. Weston totaled 71.50 points to finish fourth as a team.—Scott Mullin photo

A strong performance in the later events allowed the Weston High boys track team to move up a few places in the standings at the South-West Conference finals.

The Trojans were in eighth place with four events to go on Monday’s meet at Bethel High. Once those were completed they finished fourth overall in a field of 14 with 71.50 points.

Defending champ Bunnell was the winner again, this time with 127.50. Bethel was runner-up with 103.50 and New Fairfield took third with 127.50.

“We were hoping for third or fourth,” said Weston head coach Lloyd Weinstein, whose team had only one loss during the regular season and was second in the Patriot Division. “Our team is very much built for regular-season meets with solid athletes in every event.”

In fact, the Trojans scored in most of them that day. The first points came in the 4×800 relay at the start of the meet with Noah Krassin, Cole Clark, James Murphy and David Stankiewicz finished in eight minutes, 20.02 seconds, good for fourth.

A silver medal came in the 4×100. Jake Matluck, Simeon Okoro, Jon Savicky and Bryan Lonergan were runners-up in 44.58, a personal best.

Patrick Baber took eighth in the 300 intermediate hurdles and Krassin’s time of 2:01.58 in the 800 meters was good for seventh. Another seventh place was in the 200 with Okoro finishing in 23.48.

Weston’s points in the 3,200 came from Will Glaser, whose time of 10:08.23 was good for fifth. A bronze medal came in the 4×400 with Okoro, Stankiewicz, Baber and Savicky combining to run a 3:30.26 for third.

A number of points came in the field events, including the discus. Larry Cass had a throw of 122 feet for sixth.

He fared even better in the shot put. A toss of 46’ 3.5” was not only his best of the season but good for third as well.

Although Ian Stuebe was competing with a pulled groin muscle he managed to take seventh in the long jump with a leap of 18’ 6”. Kuba Babinski totaled 38’ 10” in the triple jump for sixth there.

The Trojans’ best event was the pole vault. Not only did four score, they occupied four of the top five places.

Will Crum won it by clearing 12’ 6”. Nick Bartholomeo went 12 feet for the silver.

Connor Mulcahey and Bethel’s Ken Darrah tied for third with 11 feet. Fifth went to Harry Manning with 10’ 6”.

Weston will next compete in the state Class M meet.

As of 1:30, the weather service was tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. The storm was located near Mount Kisco in Westchester County, N.Y. and moving northeast at 30 mph.

In addition to large hail and damaging winds, the weather service says continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

“Lightning is one of nature’s number one killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning,” the weather service storm warning states.

Heavy rainfall is possible today and into Friday morning, with rates of one to two inches per hour. Flash flooding is possible.

Jack Lawless was at fourth singles for the Weston High boys tennis team in the South-West Conference championship on Monday. Weston held off Newtown 4-3 for its third straight title.—File photo

It was more of a battle than expected as the Weston High boys tennis team took on Newtown in the South-West Conference championship.

The defending champ Trojans, who defeated their opponent 5-2 twice during the regular season, had their hands full in the latest encounter on Monday. In fact, it came down to one match with the Trojans hanging on for  4-3 win at home in a rematch of last year’s finalists.

The win marked Weston’s third straight league crown and 10th in the last 11 seasons.

“We had a barn burner,” said Weston coach Gary Meunier, whose team is now 16-3 overall. “We struggled in some areas where we haven’t and got some positive performances in others.”

Top-seeded Weston, which swept Pomperaug 7-0 in the semifinals last Thursday, May 16, faced a Newtown team that had altered its lineup since the last match. First singles stayed the same, however. For the third time this season Weston’s Oscar Morris faced Cam McCleary at first singles. Recovering from illness, Morris fell 6-4, 6-2 this time.

Newtown also took second singles but in three sets. Tyler Ruefenacht lost the first to David Freeman but won the next two for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

The Trojans dominated third singles. Jon Lipsitz just missed a sweep before beating Keaton McCleary 6-0, 6-1.

Jack Lawless was at fourth singles and evened up the match with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Matt Casino.

Weston first doubles players Henry Morris and Greg Portner faced a different Newtown combination ]this time. Sean Elliot and Ricky Fuentes had the upper hand in a 6-2, 6-3 win. A  6-4, 6-1 win by Ben Lander and Eric Nalbandian and Greg Portner over Yossi Kohrmann-Glasier and Nic Klein evened up the match.

A pair of freshmen would secure the win for Weston. Third doubles players Jordan Suss and Ishan Mirchandani held off Kunal Marwah and Mike Duston 6-4, 6-4 for the championship.

“It was a great performance,” said Meunier. “They bailed us out.”

Weston will now take part in the state Class S tournament and try for its 12th straight title.

The commission will consist of seven members, of which a maximum of two may be elected officials. The commission, when members are appointed, will be asked to complete its work in time for any proposed changes to the charter to go on the ballot in November.

A seven-member Charter Revision Commission was formed in 2011, and a new town charter was approved last year. The selectmen would like a new commission to revisit some of the changes that have proven to be problematic.

Among the issues that have come up are a quorum requirement at the Annual Town Budget Meeting (ATBM), and ambiguities regarding how voting is handled if a quorum is not met; and a new requirement to advertise certain paid appointed positions (such as the animal control officer and the town treasurer).

First Selectman Gayle Weinstein said the advertisement requirement is tricky because some of the positions are union ones, and advertising for outside applicants for a post that is not really “open” and that must first be offered to current union employees creates complications.

All of the members of the previous commission have expressed interest in serving again. However, more than two of them are now elected officials.

Selectman Dennis Tracey said he will be sorry not to be a part of the new commission, but he is willing not to serve, given his position on the Board of Selectmen. “I don’t think it’s appropriate,” he said.

As for the remaining six previous members, four are elected officials, including the previous co-chairman, Ken Edgar.

Ms. Weinstein said they may have to simply “pick names out of a hat” to determine which former members will serve on the committee. The remaining spots will need to be filled by new applicants who are not elected town officials.

Any Weston resident interested in serving on the commission is invited to submit a letter of interest to the Selectmen’s Office, Weston Town Hall, 56 Norfield Road, Weston CT 06883, or email jdevito@westonct.gov.

The board is expected to interview candidates at its next meeting, Monday, June 10.

For questions or more information, call the selectmen’s office at 203-222-2656.

Emmanuel Nursery has been operating since 1970. New classrooms were built in 2011 (shown here not long after opening), but because of declining enrollment, the school will close at the end of this month. (Forum file photo)

Emmanuel Nursery School is the latest victim of tough economic times. After providing educational programs to 3- and 4-year-olds for 43 years, the school is shutting its doors.

Its last day of operation will be May 31.

“We did whatever we could, but with declining enrollment we’ve been struggling and had to finally give in,” said Alyse Connelly, the school’s director and head teacher of the Fours program.

The nursery school is owned by Emmanuel Episcopal Church but is non-denominational. It was successful for many years, and at one point was so popular there was a waiting list to get in.

“When I first started here 10 years ago, on enrollment day, parents would set their phones on redial and kept calling the school in order to get their children registered. We had a waiting list with 15 names on it,” Ms. Connelly said.

But in the past few years, the combination of a poor economy, fewer families with small children moving into Weston, and alternative nursery schools in town and close by has contributed to a dwindling enrollment at Emmanuel.

There are currently three other nursery schools operating in Weston: Norfield Children’s Center at Norfield Congregational Church, St. Francis of Assisi Preschool, and the Hand-in-Hand program at the Early Learning Center at Hurlbutt Elementary School.

Emmanuel’s mission was to provide a warm and accepting environment for young children, viewing each child as a whole person with individual needs.

The school was more than just an academic program; it emphasized social growth, too. “Children made friends at a young age at Emmanuel and they stayed friends,” Ms. Connelly said.

The school has three staff members. Ms. Connelly came to Emmanuel in 2002 and started as a teacher in the Threes program. Linda Doyle, the current head teacher of the Threes program, joined the school in 2010, and Ellen Prackup, assistant teacher, joined in 2006.

Outreach project

Teachers at Emmanuel Nursery School in 2006 were looking forward to another school year at Back to School Night. From left are Kim Murray, Barbara Schwertley, Betsy Ready (former director), Alyse Connelly (current director), and Heidi Keeney. (Forum file photo)

Betsy Ready, a former director of the school, explained that Emmanuel Nursery School was started in 1970 by church members Peggy Ann Anderson and Cubby Hickcox as an outreach project of Emmanuel Church. Since it opened, the school has been consistently staffed by certified teachers.

The school is licensed with the state by the vestry (board of directors) of Emmanuel Church as a nonprofit, non-denominational nursery school.

Ms. Ready, who is also a member of Emmanuel’s vestry, said it was ultimately the vestry’s call to stop operations of the nursery school. “With the declining enrollment, we just didn’t have a choice. We decided to close the school because it’s not viable anymore,” she said.

The church’s rector, Robert Ross, said the vestry is now looking at other ways to use the four classrooms of space the school occupied in the church’s parish hall, which was newly constructed in 2011. “The vestry is looking for ways to use the space for some other sort of ministry,” Mr. Ross said.

Ms. Connelly said she will miss the children and the school’s programs. Students participated in annual mitten drives and took field trips to local farms. Each week the school had different themes, such as hibernation week, solar system week, and the very popular monster week. The staff also worked with students to assure they had a smooth transition to kindergarten.

“I’ll miss the school. It’s a special place,” Ms. Connelly said.

—Kimberly Donnelly photo

The following events are taking place in Weston over the Memorial Day weekend:

Friday, May 24

Memorial Day Fair, 6 to 10 p.m., Hurlbutt Elementary School. Rides, games, food. Tickets and ride bracelets available at the gate.

Saturday, May 25

Memorial Day Kids Fun Run, 8 a.m., Weston High School.

20th annual Memorial Day 5K Race and Walk, 8:30 a.m., Weston High School start and finish. (Expect traffic detours.)

Car wash, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church lower parking lot (35 Norfield Road), courtesy of the Weston High School football players and coaches. All donations go to the Gridiron Club (football boosters). Car wash includes complimentary hot dog and soda.

Memorial Day Fair, 2 to 10 p.m., Hurlbutt Elementary School. Rides, games, food, live music from local bands. Dunk tank, 2-4 and 7-9. Tickets and ride bracelets available at the gate.

Sunday, May 26

Memorial Day Fair, 2 to 10 p.m., Hurlbutt Elementary School.

Monday, May 27

Veterans breakfast, 9 a.m., Norfield parish hall, free for veterans.

Memorial Day parade, 10:45 a.m. start, goes from School Road to Weston Center to town hall. (Expect traffic detours.)

Memorial Day ceremony, about noon (after the parade), gazebo at town hall.

Veterans lunch, after the ceremony, Norfield parish hall. Free to veterans.

Hot dogs and refreshments, after the ceremony, Norfield firehouse, free.

Memorial Day Fair, noon to 4, Hurlbutt Elementary School.

Locker Jam is one of the local bands that will be playing at the Memorial Day Fair on Saturday, May 25. They will play from 6:10 to 6:40 p.m. The members of Locker Jam are Weston Middle School students, from left, Kiran Edwards, Andrew Harwood and Billy Stark.

Weston will continue its long tradition of combining solemn remembrances with a celebration of the beginning of the summer season this Memorial Day weekend. Events include a road race, the hugely popular and expanded Memorial Day Fair, a parade, and memorial events with the town’s veterans.

“I think the parade and the fair and the whole weekend are quintessential Weston. I love the community spirit that it fosters,” said Weston First Selectman Gayle Weinstein.

The national holiday commemorating the nation’s fallen military members falls on Monday, May 27, this year. On that day, Weston Town Hall, the Weston Public Library, and all schools are closed, as are The Weston Forum’s offices.

Memorial Day has a distinct purpose different from Veterans Day, the November holiday that honors all those who have served in the U.S. military — both living and dead.

Memorial Day originally was called Decoration Day, and always has been a day of observance to remember and honor those who died while in the armed services.

It began in the late 1860s as observances were held to remember those killed during the Civil War. Residents of Waterloo, N.Y., and women’s groups in the South played prominent roles in starting what would later become an official national holiday.

The first official Memorial Day was proclaimed in 1868 by Gen. John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and on May 30 of that year, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

In the coming decades, northern states began recognizing Memorial Day as a state holiday. Southern states were more reluctant to do so until after World War I, when the holiday’s purpose was altered to begin recognizing those killed in all wars, not just the Civil War.

In 1971, a federal law moved the observance of Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May, part of legislation designed to create three-day weekends.

To help remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance resolution in 2000, asking that at 3 p.m. local time all citizens “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect.”

The town of Weston celebrates the holiday in many ways, designed both to honor those who died in service to their country and to celebrate the freedoms Americans enjoy.

Memorial Day fair

The very popular weekend-long Memorial Day fair, a fund-raiser for the elementary and intermediate school PTOs, has been extended from three days to four this year.

The fair, held on the grounds of Hurlbutt Elementary School, opens for the first time on Friday night, running from 6 to 10 p.m. On the following two days, Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, it will open a bit later than in the past (2 p.m. instead of noon), but it will run later into the night — until 10 p.m. On Monday, the fair runs from noon to 4.

The fair features rides, games, food, local vendors, and entertainment.

As part of the fair festivities, local student bands will perform live on Saturday night. The lineup includes:

4:50 – 5:20: Total Life

5:30 – 6: Whatsername?!

6:10 – 6:40: Locker Jam

6:50 – 7:20: One Takes All

7:30 – 9:30: The School of Rock Fairfield House Band.

As part of the fair, the PTO is also doing an online silent auction through Wednesday, May 29, at 9 p.m. For a complete list of auction items and bidding, visit the Memorial Day fair page at westonpspto.org.

For fair food, the Kiwanis Club of Weston will once again man the grill, and baked goods to eat or take home to share with families and friends will be available in abundance.

At the Kiwanis Club booth, Weston Eagle Scout candidate Alex Gulino (Troop 788) will be setting up a collection bin Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for worn American flags that need to be properly retired. There will also be collection bins on Monday in front of town hall and along the parade route.

Tickets for the fair may be purchased at the gate, including “unlimited-ride” bracelets.

5K run

Memorial Day weekend continues bright and early Saturday morning, with a 20-year Weston tradition. Hundreds of runners, walkers, and strollers take to the streets at 8:30 for the Weston Memorial Day 5K Road Race.

The USATF-certified course begins on School Road and winds through Lords Highway and Old Hyde and Norfield roads, before looping back to finish at the high school.

Travelers should expect traffic delays and detours.

The event is the single largest fund-raiser for the Weston High School PTO.

In addition to winners in various age categories, cash prizes are awarded to the top overall finishers, including for the first ($100), second ($50), and third ($25) male and female finishers overall.

A one-mile Kids Fun Run for students in kindergarten through fifth grade will begin at 8 a.m. It features a 440-meter run (one lap of the high school track), a one-mile run (four laps), and a 100-meter sprint and 110-yard dash.

Refreshments will be provided as well as free race T-shirts for the first 500 registrants.

Registration may be done online at weston5k.com or in person the day of the race.

The fee is $30 May 23 and 24 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Weston High School cafeteria and on race day from 7 to 8 a.m.

The Fun Run fee is $10 in advance or on race day.

Volunteers are always welcome for registration and various activities the day of the event. For more information, visit weston5k.com.

The parade

The highlight of the weekend for many is the annual Weston Memorial Day parade, sponsored by the Weston Volunteer Fire Department. This year’s parade, which steps off at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, May 27, will be led by Grand Marshal Al Anderson, one of the town’s few remaining World War II veterans (see story on page one).

Marchers assemble on School Road near the high school beginning at 10. All community organizations are welcome to march or have floats in the parade.

Volunteers willing to lend their convertibles to drive veterans, guests, and dignitaries, as well as those interested in participating in the parade, are encouraged to call parade organizer Lyette Segerdahl at 203-227-8081.

The parade winds down School Road to Weston Center, turning left onto Norfield Road, and ending at Weston Town Hall.

Traditionally, hundreds of Westonites line the parade route to cheer on the town’s veterans and community organizations.

At the end of the parade, at about noon, there will be a brief ceremony with town officials at the gazebo outside town hall and a laying of a ceremonial wreath at the Memorial Stone near the Weston Public Library.

The Fire Department offers free hot dogs to the community at the Norfield firehouse immediately after the ceremony outside town hall.

In case of inclement weather, call 203-222-2641 to check on a rain cancellation of the parade.

For veterans

All Weston veterans are invited to a complimentary breakfast held at Norfield Congregational Church’s parish hall and sponsored by the Weston Veterans Affairs Committee. Breakfast is at 9.

Veterans are also invited to a complimentary lunch at Norfield parish hall following the ceremony at town hall.

Joy Essaghof led Weston and was the medalist for the match with a 44 for nine holes.

Kendra Savage was next with a 53. Both Anna West and Lauren Solinsky had rounds of 54 for Weston, which finished with a 9-7 record. It will compete in the Guimares Tournament on Thursday at Lyman Orchards Golf  Club in Middlefield.

Peggy Sanford

Peggy Marie Sanford of Westport, formerly of Weston, wife of William Edward Sanford, her husband of 51 years, died May 20, 2013, following a year-long battle with ALS. She was 72.

She was born in Chicago on April 8, 1941, the only child of George and Ellen Hannu. She lived in Chicago until she moved with her family to Los Angeles in the 1950s.

After graduating from UCLA in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, she married Ed Sanford, and the two of them settled in Weston, where they raised three sons and became heavily involved with Norfield Church.

She worked as a partner in her husband’s entrepreneurial endeavors and traveled extensively with him later in life.

An avid reader and a sophisticated lover of the arts, Ms. Sanford enjoyed painting, opera music, and Broadway productions in addition to playing tennis.

“‘Grama Peggy’ was a strong, gracious, and talented individual who touched many lives with her warm and generous spirit,” her family said.

Ms. Sanford was predeceased by her eldest son, Britt E. Sanford.

Besides her husband, she is survived by their  sons Kip A. Sanford and Chad B. Sanford, and eight grandchildren: Devon, Jack, Brenna, Kevin, Teddy, Annie, Grace, and Owen.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, at Southport Congregational Church (524 Pequot Avenue, Southport, CT).

Donations may be made to ALS, 4 Oxford St., Milford, CT.

Sen. John McKinney, the minority leader of the Connecticut State Senate, was the featured speaker.

His presentation, “The Power and Potential of Bipartisan Action,” included examples of when bipartisanship has worked and when it has not. He pointed out that difficult financial times tend to force compromise.

A notable recent example is 2011’s legislative special session that was devoted to job growth. Republicans and the governor were on the same side on many aspects of this issue, and bipartisan legislation resulted.

Mr. McKinney pointed out that this was the first time since 1986 that a Democrat has held the governor’s office. And with both houses of the legislature also being in the hands of that party, there would seem to have been little incentive for its members to bargain.

When the economy went south with a vengeance, however, it became necessary to work together on key issues — not on all issues, of course, especially those where philosophic differences made compromise unrealistic.

But on budget issues, Republicans were included as legislation was developed. Their advice was taken on mitigating the looming deficits. As a result, we now have a small technical surplus, as the fiscal year nears its end.

And just as the budget compromise was brewing, Newtown happened. Suffice it to say that our legislature did itself proud. Mr. McKinney noted that while New York state beat Connecticut to the wire in passing legislation, New York rushed its gun control measures through and now has to redo parts of them.

So the land of steady habits took a bit longer, but in my opinion provided new confidence in our citizen legislature. Which, as Mr. McKinney pointed out, benefits from the diversity of outlook and experience that tends to exist in a legislature whose members serve on a part-time basis.

Another idea suggested by Mr. McKinney is having a nonpartisan entity do redistricting next time around — which would require a constitutional amendment, unfortunately. He asked if this might be something the League of Women Voters could spearhead.

MORE

What has the bipartisan MORE (Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies) Commission been up to?

In the spirit of bipartisanship, Mr. McKinney turned to First Selectman Gayle Weinstein, who sits on that commission, and who was in the audience.

She expressed pride in the accomplishments of its subcommittee on education, of which she was a member. She highlighted work toward a common yet flexible school calendar, and cost savings via collaboration between districts on certain activities.

Ms. Weinstein also described the work of the other MORE subcommittees, on municipal taxes, mandate relief, and regional efficiencies, expressing disappointment in the areas of mandate relief and automobile taxes.

A compromise on the issue of car tax equalization may result in phase-out of this tax over a 10-year period. By year six or seven, Weston would feel the pinch, though, because local real property taxes would just increase correspondingly.

NOTE: “About Town” is also a television program. It appears on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on Cablevision Channel 88 (Public Access). Or see it at aboutweston.com. This week’s guest is Gail Lavielle, state representative from the 143rd District.