Staples High School will have a remote day on Friday, April 9, according to an email sent out by Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. The remote day is due to the large number . April 4, 2021 •
Ella Stoler ’22, Broadcast director
Broadcast director Ella Stoler ’22 has always had a strong passion for editing and producing videos. She spent years looking for a way to pursue this hobby and luckily enrolling in Advanced Journalism gave her the perfect opportunity.
“I’ve always been really interested in writing for the school paper and making videos,” Stoler said. “So when I got to combine those things with my broadcast position, I was really excited.”
After a long day of video editing, Stoler can be found hanging out with friends and discussing their political beliefs.
“I like talking about politics and having debates,” she said.
It’s Friday night at Westport’s newest restaurant. The bar has a steady flow of customers and tables are filled. While COVID restrictions have significantly hurt many local businesses, this local establishment has figured out a way to survive – but not without some help from the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce’s (WWCC). The organization’s newest initiative, Bring Your Own Blanket (BYOB), was launched on Nov. 4 in an effort to keep restaurants afloat in the winter months by promoting outdoor seating and encouraging a sense of normalcy within the Westport community.
As COVID cases continue to spike, Westporters’ willingness to dine inside establishments has diminished. To tend to Connecticut residents’ safety concerns, Governor Ned Lamont recently issued an executive order requiring restaurants to close at 9:30 p.m. and limiting the indoor dining capacity to 50% from 75%.
As anxiety builds with rising COVID-19 cases, Westport residents seek effective methods to redirect their heightened stress levels. While Veda Healing Spa opened earlier this year, founder Harpreet Kaur has recently modified her treatments to better accommodate clients’ unease and offers specialized treatments to encourage positivity.
“COVID-19 has been a very difficult time for everyone,” Kaur said. “I create an individualized treatment and healing session for each person […] and I always send out positive energy and prayers for things to improve.”
Unlike many other local businesses, Kaur has seen a significant increase of appointments after quarantine. The high demand is due to both her effective treatments and COVID-19 precautions. Kaur reports she has taken the necessary steps to ensure both she and her clients are safe during this time.