Month: January 2022

Senator Haskell Celebrates CT Humanities’ Awarding of Grant Funding to Local Cultural, Humanities and Arts Organizations

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) celebrated the January 7 announcement that the Board of Directors of CT Humanities awarded significant grant funding valued at $1,454,800 to 43 local non-profit museums, cultural organizations, humanities organizations and arts organizations. The CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants are part of $30 million in support allocated over the next two years by the CT General Assembly and approved by Governor Lamont.

These grants are intended to assist organizations recovering from the pandemic and aiding them to grow their ability to serve their communities and the public. It is also aimed to connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content and improve information technology and digital infrastructure. Grant funding ranged from $5,000 to $500,000 and any organization offering cultural, humanities and arts-based projects and activities for the public were eligible.

“Our local arts and educational organizations play vital roles in expanding the worlds and minds of so many,” said Sen. Haskell. “I’m incredibly encouraged to see these important groups receive key funding that will ensure they continue benefitting our communities for years to come.”

The following organizations in Sen. Haskell’s district received grant funding:

Bethel

• Bethel Arts – $5,300

• Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County Inc/Circus Moves – $6,400

• Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut/Bethel Jazz – $5,500
• Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut/FilmFest52 – $6,700

New Canaan

• Carriage Barn Arts Center – $15,600

• National Trust for Historic Preservation/The Glass House – $5,000

• New Canaan Museum & Historical Society – $36,700

• New England Dance Theater – $10,800

• Shakespeare on the Sound – $24,000

• Silvermine Arts Center – $116,500

• Summer Theatre of New Canaan – $38,800

• Town Players of New Canaan – $8,700

Redding

• Redding Historical Society – $5,900

Ridgefield

• ACT of CT – $106,800

• Camerata D Amici – $6,200

• Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center – $42,900

• Ridgefield Guild of Artists – $11,000

• Ridgefield Historical Society – $12,800

• The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum – $112,300

• The Ridgefield Playhouse – $266,200

• The Ridgefield Chorale – $9,000

• Thrown Stone Theatre Company – $10,700

• Town of Ridgefield – $5,100

• Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra – $13,000

• Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra – $22,600

• Ridgefield Theater Barn – $19,500

Weston

• Weston Historical Society – $10,200

Westport

• Artists Collective of Westport – $5,600

• Beechwood Arts & Innovation – $8,800

• Earthplace the Nature Discovery Center – $168,700

• Friends of Westport Public Art Collections – $5,900

• Levitt Pavilion – $38,500

• MoCA Westport – $65,600

• Play With Your Food – $13,000

• Remarkable Theater Remarkable Drive-In – $12,500

• Westport Community Theatre – $7,700

• Westport Country Playhouse – $80,900

• Westport Historical Society – $26,900

• Westport School of Music – $21,800

Wilton

• Carl Schmitt Foundation – $5,900

• Music On the Hill Inc – $11,300

• Weir Farm Art Center – $8,000

• Wilton Historical Society – $39,500

Senator Haskell, Representative Steinberg Lend Support to Wheels2U, Westport’s Shuttle Service to Local Trains

This morning, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport) visited the Westport Train Station to lend their support to Wheels2U, Westport’s local door-to-door transportation service providing easy and convenient transportation from residents’ homes to the town’s two train stations. Wheels2U provides service to all of Westport except the Saugatuck Shores area. For just $2 for a one-way ride, any Westport resident can reach their train to Grand Central Station or New Haven’s Union Station in 20 minutes or less using the shuttle service, which offers rides in the morning and evening each day. Reverse commuters can also use the shuttle to go from the station to their store or office.

Sen. Haskell used Wheels2U to arrive at the train station, recording the experience on Facebook Live. The recording is available at this link.

“I took Wheels2U from my apartment to the train station this morning and it literally couldn’t have been more convenient,” said Sen. Haskell, “As the Senate Chairman of the Transportation Committee, I work constantly to direct state investments toward our Metro-North line. But these trains should be accessible to folks who can’t afford to drive a car and park it at the station. With a round trip cost of just $4, this is a cheaper and greener option for commuters. I want to get the word out about Wheels2U, because I believe boosting public transit holds the key to solving our traffic congestion issues around town.”

“In my time on the Transportation Committee, I’ve found that innovation and availability push our state forward,” said Rep. Steinberg. “Wheels2U provides both of those factors to Westport residents, giving them a new and easier way to commute for work or travel for leisure into the city. Additionally, I’d like to highlight its environmental perks – every rider is one fewer car contributing to traffic and one fewer car burning gasoline. It’s cheap, convenient and community-oriented – I hope more Westporters sign up to use it!”

“Wheels2U started in October 2020 to add an efficient, flexible transportation service supporting Westporters,” said Peter Gold, director of the Westport Transit District. “It’s one more service helping our town get where it needs to go and replaced a more rigid fixed-route system. Here in Westport, we’re always focused on listening to and responding to the needs of our community. I’m happy to say Wheels2U aids those goals. If you’re working from home and going into New York only one or two days a week, why pay $5 a day to park at the station and walk from the lot to the train? Wheels2U is less expensive, and drops you off and picks you up right at the platform.”

Wheels2U is accessible via a downloadable app. A rider only needs to submit a request for transportation roughly 20 minutes before they would normally leave the station, and the shuttle service will pick them up at their home and drop them at either the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train stations – or pick them up at those train stations and take them home or to their store or office. Wheels2U operates from 5:45 to 10 a.m. and from 4 to 9:30 p.m., allowing early birds and night owls alike to leave and return with ease. A rider taking the 8:07 p.m. train from Grand Central Station can still take Wheels2U home.

Amid the current COVID-19 surge, buses have been limited to 50% capacity and riders are required to wear masks. The service is ADA-compliant with wheelchair lifts in buses and drivers trained to help people with disabilities.

For more information about the Wheels2U commuter shuttle, including information on the service area, service hours, and how to use the app, go to www.Wheels2UWestport.com.