On Friday night, Judy Collins came to the Westport Country Playhouse.
I headed to the historic theater, not knowing what to expect. I wanted to see the legendary singer/songwriter, whose songs were so important as I grew up.
But she’s 84 years old. Did she still have her voice, her energy, her marbles?
Others in the lobby before the show wondered the same thing.
We need not have worried. It was a fantastic evening.
Judy Collins told compelling stories, with wit and depth. She sang old songs and new ones, in a voice still beautiful and on-key. She laughed at her foibles, and brought us along on a journey through her life.
It was just Judy Collins on stage with a pianist and guitarist, for a wonderful 90 minutes. Brava!
Judy Collins, at the Westport Country Playhouse. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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Let’s tee it up for our veterans!
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 and American Legion Post 63’s annual golf tournament is June 10 (9 a.m., Longshore Club Park). Funds raised will support local veterans and their families.
The day includes friendly competition, camaraderie, and giving back.
Registration for the shotgun scramble format ($150 per person) includes 18 holes, cart, putting contest, goody bag, prizes, and a BBQ lunch at the VFW.
For information on registration, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, click here or contact Patty Kondub: patty.kondub@gmail.com; 203-767-3778.
Longshore hosts the VFW and American Legion’s June 10 golf tournament. (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
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Dan August is not yet 40 years old.
But the 2003 Staples High School graduate is well known in the sports industry.
Now Sports Business Journal has taken notice. The publication has named August — a former Staples High School tennis and track athlete, Dartmouth College graduate, and Los Angeles Rams executive — to its “40 Under 40” honor roll.
As executive vice president of consumer revenue and strategy, August oversees the Rams’ ticketing sales, service and operations, analytics, and all facets of game day, including stadium operations, guest experience, food and beverage, and retail. He also leads strategic initiatives.
August serves on the Rams’ leadership team. He joined the organization in 2016, after 8 years in the National Football League front office.
He and 39 others will be featured in the publication’s June 17 issue, and recognized at a November 22 Chelsea Piers gala.
Click here for more details. (Hat tip: Charlie Stoebe)
Dan August
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Friday’s Pic of the Day showed a view from Covlee Beach. The tiny spot on Saugatuck Shores — just off Covlee Drive — may be Westport’s least known, and least exclusive beach.
Here’s a shot of the entrance:
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Peter Hirst lived there long ago. The 1968 Staples High School graduate is now a long-time Northern Californian. But he still keeps up with his hometown, via “06880.”
When and why, he wonders, did the original spelling — “Covelee” — morph into the very odd, and meaningless, “Covlee”?
Peter sends photographic proof. He helped his father place this metal sign on the beach shack, around 1955:
He sends this photo of a life ring too. Though at first glance it reads “Covlee,” it’s clear the strap hides the “E.”
Peter had a great time growing up there, with neighborhood kids like Lindy Hirst, Barbara Pryor, Murray Rosenberg, Chris Herman, Lucia Donnelly, Mickey Masterson, Lane Haviland, Bobby Rich and Martha Laslett.
His home was 12 Covelee Drive — he calls it “12 Cove Lee.” It looks very much the same today, though the garage is new.
But there are other newer and bigger houses, like the one on the left.
Maybe with all that construction, there wasn’t room for one more “E.”
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image is as spring-y as it gets.
All week long, Westporters — at least those who have not skedaddled for the school’s week-long break — will enjoy scenes like this:
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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And finally … in honor of the last day of National Robotics Week:
(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Yes remarkably, Judy still has her wonderful voice. She was a dear friend of my late mother in law, and sang the classic Amazing Grace at her memorial service in NYC in 2022.
“Amazing Grace” was her encore Friday night. She asked the audience to sing along. It was magical.
She came up to NH to our children’s camps, Holiday Trail and Holiday Highlands, to visit my brother, her friend, and sang for us all in the circle outside our Dining Hall. Memorable. Priscilla Hawk
I grew up in Westport and in 1968 I was off to college in upper state NY. Every morning before leaving for my first class I would put my Judy Collins album on and listen to “Both Sides Now”…..”every morning” Last Friday when she played that song it brought tears to my eyes. I was back in the dorm room and remembering how much I love her music.
She was amazing
Deborah Johnson-Ball