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Lawrence + Memorial Hospital receives recognition by U.S. News & World Report for Maternity Care

(left to right) Jessica Sionni-Gray, Zainab Cole, Dr. Sarah Cross and Sharelle Sorensen pose in hallway of Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.   photo courtesy: Yale New Haven Health NEW LONDON — Lawrence + Memorial Hospital was named as a 2026 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care for the first time by U.S. News & World Report yesterday, according to a press release. “The U.S. News & World Report rankings serve as a meaningful reflection of the high standards we set for maternity care,” said Richard Lisitano, president of L+M. “This recognition speaks to the skill, compassion, and dedication of our teams, and reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional care to every patient who turns to us for maternity care. We are honored to be acknowledged among the best in the country.” It is the highest award a hospital can achieve in U.S. News's annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care study. In an evaluation of 901 hospitals across the United States for its 2026 ratings...
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BOOK ESSAY: Misunderstanding in Moscow - Stranger outside of our own body

Simone De Beauvoir is best known for her works such as “The Second Sex” and “The Woman Destroyed,” but little is known of her novellas, including "A Misunderstanding in Moscow." Set in the 1960s Nicole and Andre are an old married couple from Paris who go to Russia to visit Andre's daughter, Macha, from a previous marriage. On this trip, readers will observe how despite being married for years, Andre and Nicole grow apart and have become strangers. The ever-changing Russia and dialogue about the politics of the Cold War serves as a comparison to that of the marriage between Nicole and Andre in which they have in a way unfamiliar to each other and themselves. There are misunderstandings and confusion between the East and West just as there can be in families. De Beauvoir writes what Andre reflects:      Perhaps they would enable socialism to triumph, but their version of it would bear no       relation to the one his parents, his comrades, and he himsel...

Reading Diaries #1: A spine-chilling, yet peaceful enchanting time reading Wuthering Heights in Galway

(Reading Diaries #2 was published on my blog before Reading Diaries #1. This diary entry is labeled as such as this was written before Reading Diaries #2. This was also written before it was announced that a new adaptation featuring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie is going to be made.) The first time I ever read "Wuthering Heights" was October of 2022. This is one book that really stuck with me and is by far my favorite work of gothic literature  ever. I recently purchased a copy of "Wuthering Heights" —more specifically, my second copy— at a bookstore in Galway.  I can't put into words of a single feeling to describe what it was like to read one of my favorite classics on that wet Autumn October day on the bus ride from Galway to Dublin, glimpsing between the pages I'm reading and admiring the sky out the window as it darkens and turns to evening.  Despite the very limited time I got to view the countryside landscape of Ireland from a bus passenger's pe...

Addressing the need for affordable housing with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

(left to right) Ginny Monk,  Jacquen Byron,  Krista Neilson, and Jim Foster discuss the film and potential solutions to affordable housing. 28% of working families in Norwalk struggle to afford the basic cost of living. Norwalk’s Median Home Value has risen from $402,925 in 2017 to $629,874 in 2025. A $93,087 salary —that’s a $45.09 hourly wage— is considered low-income for one person. “I think we need to have a story to communicate and have a dialogue with regard to why affordable housing is valuable. It’s not a question of ‘Should we.’ It’s a question of 'How do we?'" said Jim Foster, the chair of Westport Affordable Housing Committee, yesterday night at Norwalk Community College. Foster was speaking in regards to not only Fairfield County, but the film “Room For Us? Confronting Nantucket’s Housing Crisis ." Presented by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, in partnership with Norwalk Film Festival, Centers for Housing Opportunity and the Housing Collective, the...

Port Chester man arrested for grabbing Greenwich student

Greenwich Police Department  GREENWICH — A Port Chester man accused of grabbing a child on her way to school turned himself in to the Greenwich Police Department yesterday, police officials said.  A warrant was out for the arrest of Hector Vargas, 31, for an incident that happened on Sept 11 where he allegedly grabbed a middle school student from behind. He was charged with Unlawful Restraint, Reckless Endangerment and Breach of Peace in the second degree; Sexual Assault in the fourth degree; Stalking in the first degree and Risk of Injury to a child. He remains in custody on a $250,000 bond and was transported to Stamford Superior Court for arraignment, police said. “The successful resolution of this case was made possible through the invaluable information shared by the local community, which proved instrumental in identifying the alleged perpetrator,” they said in a social media post. “The department commends the vigilance and cooperation of Greenwich residents throughout t...

Man collides to his death at cemetery

NORWALK — A man died after crashing his car into the stone wall of the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery around 2 a.m., police officials said. Patrol officers, the Norwalk Fire Department and Norwalk EMS, were dispatched to the scene where they found 24-year-old Anthony Martinez in critical condition.  Emergency personnel provided medical attention and transported him by ambulance to Norwalk Hospital. He later died from his injuries.  Based on preliminary findings, Martinez was driving his car eastbound on Van Zant Street when he continued through the intersection of East Avenue before striking the wall. The crash is still under investigation and they urge anyone with information to contact Crash Reconstruction Unit Officer Christopher Wasilewski at 203-854-3035 or CWasilewski@norwalkct.gov. Anonymous tips can also be sent using 1 of the 3 ways to the following contacts: - Norwalk Police Tip Line:  203-854-3111 - texting “NORWALKPD” followed by the message to 847411 - visi...

Wesport Police Department hosts Annual Toy Drive

Toys from Dollar Tree are displayed on a shelf.  The Westport Police Department, in partnership with the Police Athletic League and Police Benevolent Association, will host their annual Holiday Toy Drive on the first two weekends of December from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1560 Post Road East, according to a press release. “We respectfully ask for your support and generosity to help create lasting memories for children in need in our community as we believe that every child deserves to feel the magic and joy of the holidays,” Lt. Anthony Prezioso said. Volunteers from the police department will be in the parking lot of ASF Sports and Outdoors, where they will also be accepting cash donations.  Those who are unable to make it can donate to the following toy box stations starting Dec. 1.: Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT ASF Sports & Outdoors Store, 1560 Post Road East, Westport, CT Awesome Toys & Gifts, 429 Post Road East, Westport, CT The Toy Post, 180 ...