Westport in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Thursday, October 08,
2009
Quick Article Index . . .
Beam signing
ceremony caps steel erection. Ahead of schedule Chief Legendre says.
Westport library begins a new chapter!
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Beam
signing ceremony caps steel erection. Ahead of schedule Chief Legendre says. EverythingWestport,com Thursday, October
08, 2009 View the
photo album for this event now 49 photos | Dial-up speed | Broadband/DSL speed |
The
practice of "topping off" a new building is rooted in the ancient
Scandinavian religious practice of placing a tree on the top of a new
building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of their ancestors that had
been displaced. ‘Christmas tree rigging’ is a more modern explanation of
placing a small evergreen (Christmas tree) on the final steel beam that
symbolizes the end of multiple-lift-rigging, a high-steel ironworkers
practice of hoisting several pieces of steel in one lift. “The topping out ceremony is similar to ship naming and launching ceremonies and probably of similar antiquity, and was perhaps done to placate the gods and to shield the building from harm,” Legendre said. Fire station ahead
of schedule. Legendre,
in his opening remarks at the ceremony, said the fire station is now ahead of
schedule. “This is the first significant public works project in Westport
since 1975,” Legendre said. Peter Koczera of Architectural Consulting Group,
the town’s project manager, said that the “masonry and steel subcontractors
doubled up their shifts to move the project forward” resulting in the
unexpected progress, especially in light of the heavy summer rains.
Left: Liz Collins, building committee member and former
Westport selectwoman, signs the beam with former selectwoman Veronica
Beaulieu and town administrator Mike Coughlin joining her. Right: three
generations of Nickelsons observe the ceremony - retired firefighter Ken
(right), his son Keith (left), a Westport firefighter and president local
union 1802, and grandson Evan who has that firefighter’s gleam in his eyes.
From the left: (1) The crane slowly hoists the last
steel beam while members of the Westport Fire Department look on; (2)
Christmas tree rigging of steel beams; and (3) Barr Construction president Robert
Darigan speaks to the gathering. He thanked the Building Committee for having
faith in his corporation.
Left: Fire Chief Brian Legendre signs the beam as call
firefighter Paul Duhon’s daughter, Morgan (right) does the same, well almost!
Chief Legendre welcomes the crowd who gathered to
observe the traditional ironworkers “topping off” ceremony. There
is one more section of steel that remains to be erected, however. “We’re
hoping the station will include a piece of steel from the World Trade
Center,” said Legendre. “A memorial foundation is making available to police
and fire organizations steel beams and struts from the destroyed twin
towers.” The
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is accepting requests from
organizations that would like to apply for a piece of World Trade Center steel. “The piece, possibly as big as 8’ by
2’ would be displayed in the new station’s lobby,” Legendre said. “The steel
would be provided at no charge, but the town would be responsible for
transporting it.” The transportation of the memorial steel is usually a
ceremony in itself. The fire station is slated for completion in June, 2010. EverythingWestport.com Sunday,
October 11, 2009 View the
photo album for this event now 23 photos | Dial-up speed | Broadband/DSL speed |
Westport
police detective Jeff Majewski graciously took over as road captain when Fred
Mendes wasn’t feeling up to the ride. It’s
tough duty, Jeff, but someone had to do it! The
Harley Davidson Police Electra Glide drew lots of admiration from the riders. The
history of Harley-Davidson Police and Fleet sales is long and rich – and
almost as old as the Motor Company itself. Before there was even a
commercially produced Harley-Davidson V-Twin, policemen were patrolling on
Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Through the economic ups and downs of the Motor
Company’s history, the police and fleet businesses have helped keep the
Harley-Davidson brand alive. – Harley
Davidson The
riders left from Minuteman Harley Davidson, 799 State Road, Dartmouth and
took a safe, 50-mile scenic route through the south coast communities of
Westport, Dartmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton. It was a beautiful day
highlighted by peak foliage and cool temperatures. The
riders ended up at the Black Watch Pub in New Bedford and enjoyed a nice warm
buffet and music from the band Atomic
Ear. The Devin Laubi Foundation provides financial assistance to families of children with cancer. They were founded in July 2004 and have helped many families in southeastern Massachusetts, throughout New England and across the United States. Each year they host events in Massachusetts designed to raise money for the foundation. Please consider attending or making a donation on-line to help support their work.
Left to right: (1) Donna from Portsmouth, RI; (2) the
Westport police in the line-up; and (3) Jeff (right) and friend from the
Firefighters Motorcycle Club in Barnstable.
Left: Joe Carvalho and his sweet deep burgundy Shadow;
and right: road captain Jeff Majewski (right) on his Harley Police Electra
Glide.
The Harleys’ roar followed the ride east down Route 6
in Dartmouth. The
Devin Laubi Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who
participated in the bike ride. The
weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
It was wonderful to see such a great turn out. You helped raise just over $3,000 this
year. The
Devin Laubi Foundation is sure Devin was proud looking at all the support
given in his name. With all your
generosity and continued support they have been able to help 34 families in
need, thus far. The Devin Laubi
Foundation receives humbling and grateful thank you notes from parents who
feel like someone finally understand what they are going through. These frightened children want their
parents, while they endure the painful procedures associated with cancer treatments. All of you helped make this possible for
these children. The
Devin Laubi Foundation always encourages feedback and suggestions to make
things better for next year. If you
know anyone that is willing to volunteer, are involved with a business that
is willing to sponsor an event or make some form of a donation to be used for
raffling or silent auction, that information would be very welcome. This will allow them to continue to grow
and ultimately help more families. Their
Foundation is strictly volunteer based, non-profit and tax exempt, for anyone
requiring a receipt for tax purposes. For
more information, about Devin and their other events, please visit their web
site www.mydevin.org. Westport
library begins a new chapter! EverythingWestport.com October 15, 2009
“We have a new
adult section,” head librarian Sue Branco said. “We enlarged our community
room, and have a new expanded children’s area.” The new
historical documentation room is 18’ by 28’, and can be easily secured and
monitored. “There is very little
remaining work to be done,” Branco said, “but we can’t quite yet announce a
ribbon cutting date.” The library has
been open throughout all the construction, and remains so during the
completion of the final touches.
Enlarged community room.
Expanded children’s
area.
New adult section.
New historical
document room. - - - - - End - - -
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Events of Westport All rights
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