Every elementary school kid in town, it seemed, raced onto PJ Romano Field yesterday morning, for the annual Day of Champions.
Their parents were there too. All were decked out in costumes — just one part of the offbeat, fun and very important competition.
The event raised over $212,000 for Experience Camps, the Westport-based network of activities for children who have lost parents or siblings.
So who was the big winner, when all the games were over?
Experience Camps, for sure.
One eager team …
… and Jordan Schur’s family, part of another. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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Happy belated birthday to Michael Calise! One of Westport’s most celebrated citizens turned 83 yesterday.
Andrew Colabella salutes “one of the many outspoken, preserving, and caring fighters of Westport.” He writes:
“Michael has worked hard to preserve the cultural identity of our town by purchasing land and historic homes for preservation of what our town once was, and is holding on to.
“You can find him often at Town Hall, for Planning & Zoning, Flood and Erosion Control, Zoning Board of Appeals and RTM meetings.
“Summer nights Michael walks from the oasis of trees on Compo’s South Beach to the jetty, Fiona’s Disappearing Island, and back.
“Fall and winter nights he can be found at Luciano Park with his friend and their dogs, playing together. Happy birthday, Michael!”
Michael Calise at a recent “06880” party, and in the Staples High School Class of 1958 yearbook.
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Ukraine Aid International — the organization founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — helps Fairfield County towns partner with similar-sized communities in Ukraine.
Westport was the first. Stamford, Easton and Greenwich followed suit.
Now Weston has done the same.
In this week’s “What’s Next in Weston,” 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor describes the relationship, and offers details on how Westonites can help their new friends, during this very difficult time.
Click below to listen. The podcast is a production of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
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Nature abounds in Westport — even downtown.
Reeds frame Kerri Rosenthal, adjacent to Parker Harding Plaza, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo by Sandy Rothenberg.
(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)
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And finally … in honor of yesterday’s fantastic Experience Camps event at PJ Romano Field:
(Be a champ! Help support “06880.” Please click here — and thank you!)
Happy Birthday Michael. May you have many more and may you continue to engage so often and so well on important Westport issues.
Happy Birthday Michael Calise. The 1958 class at Staples also had Christopher Lloyd who played in Taxi.
Happy birthday Mike‼️
I was awed by your real estate knowledge when I took one of your classes.
Keep making sense‼️😂🇺🇸
And we hereby second that motion!
Thank you so much, Michael, for all your care and work on behalf of Westport, which became our family’s home town. The list of what you’ve given is a long one, but one thing I remember is your awareness of a possible change to the setback for fences, which would have infringed on the yard space of a great many homes. Because you sounded the alarm, we were able to prevent that from happening.
Adam and I also remember buying our first home from you (and Terry), and how we celebrated that occasion at the old Carriage House restaurant.
You are a quintessential “good citizen”, and Westport is lucky to have you as one of her own.
Best wishes, although belatedly, for a happy day, and many more happy days and years to come. You deserve them!
With our warm best wishes,
Judy and Adam
Dear Michael,
Belated birthday greetings and best wishes for many more birthdays to come. May your logic and public engagement continue to abound. You are as wise as you are kind.
I am honored by your friendship.
A belated Happy Birthday to fellow classmate Mike (oops, Michael) Calise. Long after many of us left, you stayed on and made so many contributions to our beloved “hometown”. Congratulations to you! I admire your commitment.
Happy Birthday Michael. Here’s to all the plans you have for the future. Hoy have been a force for good for Westport and I feel sure that will continue. Best wishes for many more years from a classmate of 1958.Not sure if it comes up when I post so I will add my maiden name was Cookman.
OOPS I was trying to spell check and….”hoy” was supposed to be YOU!