Monthly Archives: July 2023

Are you ready for some LymanAID?

This is the day Westport honors our sister city: Lyman, Ukraine.

In the wake of yesterday’s Russian artillery attack that killed 8 civilians, and wounded 13 others, it’s more important than ever to show solidarity and support.

Today’s event is free. Attendees will enjoy food, beer, wine, soft drinks, music from the Mike McGovern Band, and more.

But there are a variety of fundraising opportunities too, including a raffle with many items (including a gorgeous Ukrainian quilt); a treasure sale, Yankee auction, coffee table book pull, plant sale, “LymanADE” stand and more.

Lyman Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov is scheduled to speak on a big screen. Senator Richard Blumenthal will be there, in person. So will Tooker, Koskinas — and many, many caring, concerned Westporters.

LymanAID is on today (Sunday) from 1 p.m. until dusk. The site is the Ukrainian-American Club, on the Post Road in Southport just past the I-95 Exit 19 northbound entrance ramp.

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Peter Reid’s work is never done.

On Friday, the Animal Control officer joined with the Westport Fire Department to conduct a baby bird rescue on Main STreet.

Larry Gall and his wife Jennifer heard a killdeer crying in distress in a storm drain by 185 Main Street.

They called Peter. But the drain grating was cast iron, and he could not move it.

He called firefighters, who quickly pried it open.

Firefighters helping save the killdeer. (Photo/Peter Reid)

The baby bird ran through a pipe into the adjacent storm drain. The WFD popped that grating too.

Peter captured the killdeer with a net. He released her in the nearby driveway so was in sight of her parents, who were flying around agitatedly.

Baby killdeer. (Photo courtesy of Peter Reid)

The Galls helped keep the birds safe the entire time, even when the mother strayed into Main Street.

Eventually, Peter and the firefighters got the birds headed down toward the greenbelt by the river.

Craig Bergamo of the Westport Police Department directed traffic around it.

Congrats — and thanks — to all, for their team effort!

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Maria Funicello is the very popular co-owner of Tutti’s.

Her great-nephew Mason Steven Dent was born in April at 24 weeks and 3 days, weighing only 1 pound, 12 ounces.

“This teeny tiny miracle has been a fighter since day one,” Maria says, “but his journey has had many bumps in the road. At only 2 months old Mason has undergone numerous tests and procedures, more than some people will experience in a lifetime.

Mason’s parents have been by his throughout the ordeal. Steven — Maria’s nephew — has been unable to return to work. Her niece Alexandra has worked remotely.

Medical bills and living expenses are mounting quickly.

On Sunday, July 16, Tutti’s will host a fundraiser. Maria and her husband Pasquale will sell pasta and meatballs for $25, for pickup between 2 and 5 p.m. Email funi61@aol.com to order. All proceeds go to Mason’s care.

In addition, the entire staff is donating all cash tips throughout the month to the Dent family. That’s quite a gesture.

There’s also a GoFundMe page — just click here.

Tutti’s has been a Westport institution for years. They’ve served us well — including people in need during COVID. Now it’s time to help the extended Funicello family!

Mason Dent

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Fresh off their very popular VersoFest appearances, Legends Beats and Grooves return to the Westport Library. It’s one more way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

The free event — set for Sunday, July 23 (3 to 6 p.m.) — includes a panel discussion (with The Original Jazzy Jay, Cutmaster DJ Cool V, and Connecticut legends Doc. P. and DJ Slick Vic), plus a Q-and-A, and DJ performances.

Library director Bill Harmer was blown away by the VersoFest hip hop program. He notes, “The combination of educational elements, an intergenerational community, and the electrifying blend of knowledge and pure fun created a truly magical experience.”

Click here for more information.

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The Library is certainly serves everyone.

Next Saturday (July 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), it’s the site of a World Cube Association Rubik’s Cube competition.

Spectators are invited, at any time throughout the day.

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Noted physician and longtime Westport resident Dr. Martin Floch died last month. He was 94.

The Bronx native attended New York University, where he managed the track team. He earned a master’s of science at The University of New Hampshire, and an M.D. from New York Medical College. He completing his internship and residency training at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, and a fellowship in gastroenterology at Seton Hall in 1960.

He served as a captain and chief of gastroenterology at the US Army Tropical Research Laboratory in San Juan After military duty, Martin and his wife Gladys moved to Westport, where they raised 4 children.

Dr. Floch opened a private practice, becoming the first gastroenterologist in Norwalk. He was the founding chief of gastroenterology and nutrition at Norwalk Hospital, and the first in the area to perform endoscopic procedures.

While at Norwalk Hospital he developed strong ties with Yale University, becoming a clinical professor of medicine. He also developed the gastroenterology fellowship training program at Norwalk, and supported and developed pulmonary and radiology fellowships.

He served as director of the Medicine Training Program, chairman of the Department of Medicine, chief of gastroenterology, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Norwalk Hospital (1972-1978). At Yale he was chief of ambulatory gastroenterology,

Dr. Floch was the editor 5 medical journals, including the American Journal of Gastroenterology. He published 7 books, and edited and wrote for the best-selling Netter’s Gastroenterology.

Dr. Floch was elected a Master of American College of Gastroenterology and an American Gastroenterology Association Fellow. He lectured internationally.

Beyond his love of medicine, Dr. Floch was an avid sports fan, tailgating with his family at Yankees, Knicks, and Giants games. He also enjoyed photography, gardening, and traveling the world with Gladys.

Dr. Floch was predeceased by his son Dr. Jeffrey Floch. He is survived by Gladys, his wife of 68 years; sons Dr. Craig (Linda), Dr. Neil (Robin ), daughter Lisa Adelmann (Dr. Charles), daughter in-law Ivette, grandchildren Brandon (Dr. Stephanie Picon), Dr. Jared (Dr. Courtney Andres) and Justin Floch, Brittany Martin (Kyle); Cassandra, Samuel, Zachary and Brooke Adelmann; Sydney andJake Floch, and great-grandchildren Elijah and Benjamin Floch.

Contributions in Dr. Floch’s name can be made to “Norwalk Hospital Foundation,” and noted “Restricted to GI Fellowship Program. The address is 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06856.

Dr. Martin Floch

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There has been no official obituary. But Baroness Gabriele von Langendorff — widow of Baron Walter Langner von Langendorff, who lived with her perfume “baron” husband at what is now the town-owned Baron’s South property — died on May 28 at her residence, a suite at the Pierre Hotel in New York. That’s where the Baron died too.

The Baron — founder of Evyan “White Shoulders” Perfume — and Baroness also owned what is now Winslow Park. She was his second wife. His first wife died in 1968.

A 2016 “06880” story quotes the New York Post as calling the baroness a “buxom red-haired widow” who — before marrying the Austrian baron — was “admired and pursued by some of the richest, most powerful men in the world, including Averell Harriman.”

The “06880” noted that a few years earlier, the New York Social Diary described her this way:

{The baroness] is easily spotted in any crowd, gilded or no because of her tall and tumbling flaming tresses, her satin and/or taffeta evening dresses, and above all, her famous milkmaid complexion — and above above all, her ensembles of astonishing jewels. Which are always in ample supply, generous weight, high lustre, and, in short, unbelievable on sighting.

The baroness is one of those individuals of indeterminate youth and age, to put it politely, whose legend, long having departed reality, provides a rich lore that may be more enticing than the facts (although maybe not). Her presence reflects a New York that is almost entirely a memory, where women were placed on pedestals (albeit, if temporarily) as birds of paradise, living paeans to glamour and luxurious living, to be adored, and above all, worshipped….

She has resided at the Pierre for many years now, and spends weekends at her estate on the North Shore of Long Island where when she entertains at dinner, the men wear black tie and the women of course wear long dresses and jewels. In the summertime, she leaves these shores for Monte Carlo in July and August.

Baroness Gabriele von Langendorff. (Photo courtesy of the New York Post)

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Tessie — the subject of today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature — does not seem the least bit interested in Fiona’s Disappearing Island behind her.

(Photo/Richard Abramowitz)

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And finally … the Westport Library’s celebration of 50 years of hip hop (story above) got me thinking: a half century?

Yep. Hip hop culture dates to the early 1970s, in the Bronx. But the first

But Rapper’s Delight — in 1979 — is credited with being the first song to introduce hip hop to a wide audience.

(There’s plenty of stuff in today’s Roundup. If you appreciate this daily feature — or anything else “06880” serves up — please consider a contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)