Westport artist Norma Minkowitz demolished 3 US records at the National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She won all 3 races handily.
The first was Thursday, in the 5K road race. Competing in the 85-89-year-old age group, her 33:27 time beat the previous best mark by more than 6 minutes.
Then, in the same age group in the 400 meter dash, Minkowitz blazed to a 1:50.47 mark. That was more than 20 seconds faster than the existing record.
Finally, in the 800 meter run (in the 85-104-year old division), she finished in a speedy 4:17.66 — over a minute better than the previous mark.
Congratulations, Norma! (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
In 2016– age 79 — Norma Minkowitz led a pack of much younger runners.
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Here’s another winner:
Former Westport Library board member and longtime “Booked for the Evening” volunteer Lucy Johnson has earned a silver in the Independent Book Publishers Award.
Her book “This Was Toscanini: The Maestro, My Father, and Me” won in the Performing Arts category (Music/Dance/Cinema/Theater).
The contest recognizes the thousands of independent, university and self-published books released each year.
Lucy Johnson
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Last night’s Super Flower Blood Moon drew lots of folks outside. Here’s one shot, by Tomoko Meth:
(Photo/Tomoko Meth)
And David Cross captured this view, over the library:
(Photo/David Cross)
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Business Networking International is a special kind of group. Only one member per category is allowed — maximizing the opportunity for connections, while minimizing competition.
BNI’s local chapter is open to new members in a few categories, including commercial broker, counseling service, security, HVAC, photographer, caterer, bakery, florist, event planner, home inspector, moving company, travel tours, auto repair, and dry cleaner/tailor/shoe repair.
Interested businesses are invited to a Visitor’s Day on June 2 from (7:30 to 9 a.m., United Methodist Church).
For more information and to register for the event, email Curtis@health-directions.com or billhall747@gmail.com.
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United Way of Coastal Fairfield County has a new interim president and CEO.: Westporter Margo Amgott
She brings 30 years of non-profit leadership experience, serving in a range of organizations including community and healthcare, education institutions and government agencies.
A specialist in transitional leadership, Amgott reopened the Jacob Burns Film Center with fundraising and renewed programming. She served as interim director for Studio in a School, an arts and social justice organization working in New York City schools, interim CEO at Hearing Health Foundation, and COO of the National Council for Jewish Women, and a program leader at Columbia University, Hunter College, NYU Langone Medical Center, and the New York City Department of Health.
She holds a master’s degree from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a BA from Barnard College.
Margo Amgott
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Patti and Doug Brill moved from the north part of Westport to Saugatuck Shores recently.
“The fun part being in a new home. is seeing everything bloom. Lots of nice surprises!” Patti says.
Today she shares one of those surprises with “Westport … Naturally”:
(Photo/Patti Brill)
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And finally … in honor of 85-year-old Norma Minkowitz’s three national record-setting performances (see story above):
On Tuesday May 18, Norma broke her fourth national record. She ran the 1500 meters in 8:35– a whopping two and half minutes faster than the prior record, and a time that would also have won the 80-84 division!