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Victims of domestic violence have so much to deal with. Getting basic supplies for their young children should not be one of them.
Now through Sunday (April 25), Westport’s Domestic Violence Task Force is collecting supplies. Needed items include car seats in new or like-new condition (tags attached, to check expiration date), strollers, diapers, wipes, lotions and baby wash, and new bottles.
To arrange contactless pickup, email co-chair Jillian Cabana: wdvtf06880@gmail.com.
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Saturday is the big day: CLASP Homes’ “Un-Scavenger Hunt.” (“Un?” It runs all day, at your convenience. It’s not a race.
There are tons of clues, covering Westport trivia, history, art, pop culture and more. You answer by posting photos, videos, texts and GPS check-ins on the app. Bonus points are given for creativity, ingenuity and humor (costumes, props, songs, pets … you get the idea).
Prizes include sunset cruises; a private tour and wine-and-cheese reception at Dragone Classic Motorcars with George Dragone; Broadway tickets and more.
There are separate prizes for students in grade 12 and below (including cash). And a special prize for the organization that registers the most teams.
The Un-Scavenger Hunt raises funds for CLASP. For nearly 40 years they’ve provided care, support and inspiration to adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
Click here for tickets. Click here for the Goosechase app, which will be used. You can practice on it too, until the event goes live.
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We may pretend it’s not happening. But people — even in Westport — make Holocaust “jokes,” and talk insensitively about Jewish traditions and lives. I’d guess teenager in Westport has heard something.
In response, ADL Connecticut is organizing a virtual “Fairfield County Teen Leadership Summit on Anti-Semitism.” It’s Tuesday, April 27 (7 to 8:15 p.m., Zoom).
A teen panel will share personal stories. Attendees will learn skills to stand up to anti-Semitism, be resilient and become empowered as school leaders. Click here to register. For more information, email swalden@adl.org.
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A couple of nature shots. First, a swan stepping into the Saugatuck River …
(Photo/Paul Delano)
… and a hungry gull at Sherwood Island State Park.
(Photo/Gene Borio)
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And finally … today in 1775, the Revolutionary War began. The patriots beat back the British at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The rest is history.
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THERE ARE NO COMMENTS TO THE ABOVE. THE STORY OF OUR FLAG AND THE STAR SPANGLED SONNET IS SO POIGNANT. WITHOUT IT WE WOULD NOT BE AMERICA AS WE KNEW IT. THINGS HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH, NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE GOOD WHICH DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T IMPROVE, THROUGH IT ALL OUR FLAG STILL FLIES WITH HONOR AND GLORY
Beautiful photo (Paul Delano) of the swan stepping into her reflection,Saugatuck
River!.. 🙂
It is interesting to note that “Yankee Doodle” had its origins in Norwalk and Wilton, CT, right near this town, and was first associated with Colonel Fitch, during the French and Indian War:
Most Americans are familiar with the Yankee Doodle tune, and can recite
some of its familiar verses, but few are aware that the song was originally adopted in this country during the French and Indian War in 1755. It is not well known that the original Yankee Doodle was [Colonel] Thomas Fitch V from Norwalk, whose two younger brothers Ebenezer and Timothy, lived on Chestnut Hill in Wilton. Back then, Wilton was still part of Norwalk, not to become a town until 1802.
Colonel Fitch, whose father was the Governor of the colony of Connecticut, was a distinguished officer in the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. In 1775, Col. Fitch led Connecticut volunteers in their fight against the French at Fort Crailo, in what is now Renssaelaer, New York. On their departure from Norwalk, the local young women, distraught by the lack of uniforms improvised plumes from chicken feathers for their hats.
The poorly dressed Connecticut volunteers arrived as reinforcements for the well-dressed British troops, and were met with derision from a British surgeon, Dr. Shuckburgh, who soon penned the satirical verse, set to the tune of a popular song “Lucy Locket.” Thus was Col. Fitch dubbed “Yankee Doodle.”
(Quoted from an article by the Wilton Historical Society posted online)
Correction: Colonel Fitch fought in the French and Indian War, but it was during the Revolutionary War that he led the “poorly dressed volunteers,” who were then made fun of by Dr. Shuckburgh.