The Staples High School boys lacrosse team is 2-time defending state champions.
But until Thursday night, they’d never won an FCIAC (league) championship.
They did it dramatically, in Wilton. Adam Udell scored 3 goals in just 4 minutes, 20 seconds, rallying his 5th-seeded squad from a 6-3 deficit late in the 4th quarter, to a 6-6 draw.
Just 8 seconds into sudden-death overtime, Udell fired a shot. His 4th — and most dramatic goal — gave the Wreckers the win, over #2 Darien.
This was not the first clutch score for Udell. A year ago, as a sophomore, he stole an inbounds pass in the basketball state semifinal, then calmly scored a layup, to lead Staples past Fairfield Warde, and into the finals.
The lacrosse title — keyed also by goalie Josh Marcus — capped a very satisfying 5 days for Staples. During the FCIAC tournament they thrashed Wilton (9-1) and New Canaan (11-5), avenging regular season losses.
Darien also beat the Westporters, in the regular season.
The goal now is to be the first Staples boys lax team to win both an FCIAC and state title.
The road to the Connecticut crown is not easy. It begins Wednesday at home (5:30 p.m.) vs. Trumbull. Tough teams like Ridgefield, Fairfield Prep and New Canaan lie ahead.
But — with Udell, Marcus, coach Will Koshansky and a host of talented players — the Wreckers are ready.
Click here to see the full FCIAC final. Click below for Udell’s 4 goals (including his game winner), and the wild celebration that followed, courtesy of The Ruden Report.
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Speaking of Staples, a reminder: Free tickets are available at 9 a.m. this Wednesday (May 29), for the annual Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion.
This year’s show is Friday, June 7 (lawn opens at 6 p.m.; concert at 7; BYO chair; food trucks on site). The always sold-out event features the Staples Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orphenians, Choralaires and other small group ensembles.
Once again, media personality David Pogue will serve as the warm, welcoming emcee.
Click this link — staplesmusic.org — beginning Wednesday at 9 a.m. Tickets are free, but a $15 contribution is suggested to help offset production costs.
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Speaking of the Levitt Pavilion: They’re part of today’s big Westport day.
In addition to the Fine Arts Festival downtown, and the Parks & Recreation Department Summer Kick-off at Compo, there’s a 3-band festival at our favorite outdoor entertainment venue.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The UN and Dogs in a Pile — those are all band names — take the stage, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The gate opens at 4.
Food trucks on site include the Blind Rhino, Melt Mobile, Little Pub Lobster Roll and the Dough Girls Wood-Fired Pizza.
Limited tickets ($55; $125 premium) remain. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
More Levitt news: Super Sonic Shorties has just been signed. They’ll be there June 14, en route to the Northlands Festival.
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Among the items on the agenda for the next Representative Town Meeting (Tuesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium):
A $265,000 appropriation from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to develop a Parks Master Plan.
A $990,000 appropriation for Phase I of the Cross Highway School Zone Corridor Improvements.
A petition from Westporters “to review, discuss and reject the new Parks & Recreation regulation, or modify it in order to preserve the gardening hours at the Westport Community Garden to their prior hours during school days (i.e. no gardening between 8-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.).”
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Congratulations to News 12 Connecticut — and to Wynston Browne.
Our local cable station was named an Edward R. Murrow Award New England regional winner, in the annual Radio Television Digital News competition.
News 12 won in the “Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” category, in the Television/Large Market division, for their broadcast of “My Name is Wynston Browne.”
The segment featured Wynston, a Staples High School junior who — despite being a non-speaking autistic young man — has learned to communicate using a typing device. In 2 years, he has shared his remarkable mind and keen insights with the world.
It’s a very inspiring story, told with care and compassion by News 12.
Regional winners advance to the national competition. Winners will be announced in August. Click here for a list of all New England awards.
Wynston Browne (Photo/Dan Woog)
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As Memorial Day nears, American flags are sprouting around town.
Lauri Weiser was heartened to see these, lining the Lansdowne condominium driveway:
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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An inspiring photo of a different kind is Andrew Colabella’s image of Long Island Sound.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
It’s a nice reminder too that — though the sign says otherwise — lifeguard coverage starts Monday, at Compo and Burying Hill Beaches, and the Longshore pool.
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But Westporters got an early start yesterday on the holiday weekend. This was the Friday late-afternoon scene at Compo Beach:
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Unfortunately, another tradition continues: Hook’d’s closed doors.
Despite the crowds — and their supposed closing time of 7:30 p.m. — the doors were locked before then.
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The sold-out crowd at Thursday’s Westport Library conversation with James Comey was surprised.
Most attendees figured the former FBI director, former Bridgewater Associates counsel and former Westporter would talk about his new book “Westport” — the plot involves the fictional world’s biggest hedge fund, Saugatuck Associates — and avoid or deflect questions about the most controversial aspect of his career: his decision in late October 2016 to announce that the FBI had reopened an investigation into presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails.
But under pointed and persistent questioning from Westport’s Dave Briggs — a well-established TV personality — Comey was honest, self-reflective, forthcoming, and quite opinionated.
If you missed the event, no problem. The Library’s recorded it. Click below, for an insightful, insider’s view of Washington and the world:
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This sign was just posted near the “blue house” at 233 Hillspoint Road, diagonally across from Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
(Photo/Michael Friedland)
It’s big.
There are substantial cement footings.
And since when has Westport been a “city”?!
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Brian Lewis — chef ad owner of The Cottage and OKO — adds a new dining twist this summer.
BANA is a “seasonal and elevated pop-up dining experience. Each menu draws inspiration from global gastronomic traditions and cultural richness, promising an exhilarating exploration of flavors” in Fairfield and Westchester Counties.
That first BANA is Saturday, July 20 (7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm). The event celebrates “the treasures and techniques of both the New England and Japanese coastlines.” Lewis’ tasting menu will showcase fish, shellfish, and vegetables sourced from the New England coastline and local farms.
Tickets are $200 per person, or $275 per person with a special sake and wine pairing (including sales tax and a 22% service fee).
25% of all proceeds support Brian Lewis’ Family Meal Foundation. It provides comfort and support through delicious meals, brought to the homes of people in need when they are healing from the loss of a loved one, or face medical and emotional challenges.
For tickets and more information, click here.
Chef Brian Lewis
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Westport is looking particularly beautiful these days.
Among the spots to admire: Lynda Ialeggio’s patio, on Old Mill Beach. It’s a perfect “Westport … Naturally” scene this Memorial Day weekend.
(Photo/Lynda Ialeggio)
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And finally … on this date in 1878, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” opened in London.
(It’s a holiday weekend. But “06880” never takes a break. We’re here for you 24/7/365 — 366, this leap year. If you enjoy our work, please click here to support us. Thank you!
Nice pick-up Dan! Westport is not a city.
And??????
Jennifer Tooker is our First Select”woman”.
JB
Love this ‘HMS Pinafore’ -‘When I was a Lad’:-) Many years ago, May,1965,Weston 5th & 6th graders then performed this same operetta back then at Temple Israel, when Weston elementary school had burned down, October 1963. My sister & I t & others then in the ‘Pinafore’ chorus, and Joseph Genualdi (Bob Genualdi’s musically talented son) he then sang this General,’s song to an Enthusiastic audience!..:-)