WESTPORT, CT — On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards received the inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence at the Westport Library. Governor Ned Lamont presented the award, recognizing Richards’ outstanding contributions to music and his philanthropic efforts within the state.
A resident of Weston since 1985, Richards has been actively involved in supporting local organizations such as SPHERE, which assists adults with disabilities, and the Prospector Theater, a nonprofit cinema in Ridgefield that provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
During the ceremony, Richards expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you very much and thank you, Connecticut. You kind of get lost for words with something like this around your neck.” He emphasized the importance of libraries, referring to them as “the great equalizer,” and highlighted their role in communities.
In a lighthearted conclusion to the event, Bill Harmer, executive director of the Westport Library, presented Richards with a newly minted library card, symbolizing his ongoing relationship with the library and his appreciation for literature.
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