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It may have been lost in the run-up to Thanksgiving.
It shouldn’t be.
Earlier this week, John Brandt moderated a fascinating discussion with 4 Vietnam War veterans. Part of the Westport Library’s Oral History Project, it delved deep into the experiences of the quartet — all Westporters — and what it all means today.
Panelists included retired Army veterans Capt. Jay Dirnberger, Sgt. Preston Koster, Sgt. Bud Siegel, and retired Navy Lt. JG Tucker Mays. Click below to watch.
Missed it? No problem. Click below to watch.
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The broken record of Staples High School swim and dive team broken records continues.
The girls finished their season in style last weekend, with 4 state open record- breaking performances.
Freshman Annam Olasewere once again dominated the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events, with state open record times of 22.58 and 50.21. The 200 free relay team of Jessica Qi, Ella Alpert, Ayaan Olasewere and Annam Olasewere recorded a record 1:35.94. In addition, their record-breaking 3:27.46 in the 400 free relay qualifies them for All-American status.
Other outstanding swims came from Jessica Qi (4th in the 100 free, 8th in the 200 free). Divers Kate Whittaker and Mia Guster finished 13th and 17th respectively. Freshman Ayaan Olasewere was 12th in the 50 free and 13th in the 100 free, while senior captain Ella Alpert placed 10th in the 100 fly.
From left: Annam Olasewere, Jessica Qi, Ella Alpertm Ayaan Olasewere.
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Speaking of sports: A new tradition began on Thanksgiving Day.
A bunch of fathers — all relatively new to Westport — reserved PJ Romano Field behind Saugatuck Elementary School for the first-ever “Westport Dadz Turkey Bowl.”
Cones were set, football flags arranged, and teams picked. A good time was had by all. Even a few hamstring pulls could not keep these guys from smiling, and enjoying the rest of their holiday weekend.
(Photo/Josh Stern)
Meanwhile, a much older tradition — the Staples boys soccer Turkey Bowl — took place at Wakeman Field.
Over 60 current and past players worked up an appetite. There were alumni from as far as California and Texas, and as far back as Staples’ Class of 1975. Guys who just finished their college season showed their stuff. So did everyone else.
There were plenty of alumni spectators too. And the weather was perfect too.
The 2021 Staples soccer Turkey Bowl. (Photo/Barry Guiduli)
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Longtime Westporter Vermelle Miro died recently, at 88. Her funeral is set for today (Saturday, November 27, 11 a.m., St. Luke Church).
The Greenwich native had a variety of hobbies, interests and careers. She worked at Vogue magazine before opening the Westport Country Day Preschool in the 1970s.
“Mel” became a realtor in Westport in the 1980s, and enjoyed a successful career until she retired close to 40 years later.
She was a member of the Westport Young Woman’s League and Westport Rotary Club, along with many other civic groups.
Mel traveled around the world, learning about different cultures and viewing famous pieces of art. She was a talented artist as well.
Her family says, “Mel had a unique ability to connect with people on a deep level, providing a safe haven for her community of friends and acquaintances. She was a magnet to others, always willing to lend an ear to those who needed it. But er greatest joy came from her children and grandchildren.”
Mel is survived by her children, Donald (Kim Healy); son-in-law Chris Healy; grandchildren Ryan, Tyler and Brittany Healy, and grandson-in-law Steve Geiges. She was predeceased by her husband Donald Miro and her long-time partner, Patrick Mitchell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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On this holiday weekend — when all of us are stuffed — photographer Lou Weinberg says of this “Westport … Naturally” photo from Lansdowne Condominiums: “Hey, everybody’s gotta eat.”
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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And finally … Stephen Sondheim died yesterday, in Litchfield County. The legendary Broadway composer was 91.
The New York Times calls him an “intellectually rigorous artist who perpetually sought new creative paths … the theater’s most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century, if not its most popular.” Click here for Sondheim’s full obituary.
My condolences to Don Miro. From my discussions with Don, Mrs. Miro always sounded like a great, loving mom. She must have been very proud of the talented son she raised! May her memory be a blessing.
Has anyone else noticed how few squirrels are around? Anyone know why? Other than the hawks?
It most likely has to do with “mast years”.
Mast is basically acorns and other nuts.
Trees produce mast, because they want more trees.
Squirrels and other animals eat the mast. Good for the animals, bad for the trees.
Every once in a while trees have what is known as a mast year, where they make an overabundance of mast. So much that the animals can’t eat it all. Good for the trees, great for the animals.
More food leads to more animals.
Then comes the not mast year.
Not as much mast, not as much food to go around for the animals.
Animals start to go walkies, go hungry, get eaten, get hit by cars, etc,.
Population drops.
I had noticed the lack of squirrels in our yard, at our feeders, and in our trees. I miss them, but I have no answers as to why they have disappeared.
My sincere thanks to the Westport Library’s Oral History Project to giving voice to the veterans of the Viet Nam war. The presentation was both informative and cathartic for both the panelists and for the attending and on-line audiences. And thanks to our fearless scribe for the shoutout, reaching a wider audience of interested and engaged readers with his vital news resource for current and former Westporters. Would that the mass media was as reliable and unbiased.