When it comes to musical performances, the Westport Library consistently sets the bar (ho ho) high.
Yesterday afternoon, they exceeded even their own stellar standards.
Roger Kaufman’s “Speaking of Music” series focused on the 5 M’s — Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals, Motown and Miami — that influenced so much musical history.
The mesmerized, hand-clapping (and occasionally dancing) crowd was wowed by the vocal talents of Dennis Collins (Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway), backed by Sharon Collins, Billy Genuario, Stephanie Harrison and T’Zelle Wilson.
Also on stage: the Old School All-Stars band (Bob Cooper, Tim DeHuff, Dave Edwards and Tyger MacNeal), and the Saugatuck Horns (Bob Carlson, Fred Scerbo, and former Rolling Stones sideman Crispin Cioe).
Special guest — author, bassist and musicologist Brian Torff — provided important back stories to the 5 historic towns.
We often say our Library rocks. Yesterday, it showed its soul.
The Old School All-Stars. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Who says kids today can’t make their own fun?
These 2 took advantage of yesterday’s torrential rain. They taped themselves (well, someone else did) into garbage bags, then rolled down the hill at Staples High School’s Loeffler Field.
Looks even better than Fortnite!
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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Also making their own fun: Westport’s Wiffle ball team.
Last week, “06880” featured Grant Theisinger. The rising Staples freshman and friends have created a competitive league, which plays on a full field in Grant’s back yard.
It’s a great concept, executed brilliantly by the boys.
This past weekend, they went on a road trip. Three players — Grant, Kyle Marcucio and Finn Edwards — represented Westport at the Major League Wiffle Ball Tournament at Lasorda Legacy Park in Yaphank.
Competing in the 13-15 age division — with 29 teams from 7 states — “High Heat
won both pool play games Saturday against teams from New York City and Pennsylvania, gaining the #6 seed.
They won their first playoff game yesterday in exciting fashion 11-10, but then lost to the eventual tournament champs.
Most importantly, the boys had a blast. They also met Kyle Schultz, the founder of MLW.
Congratulations, guys. You’ll get ’em next year!
From left: Kyle Marcucio, Finn Edwards, Kyle Schultz, Grant Theisinger. (Photo/Marc Theisinger)
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Jeff Laska writes:
“I hope your readers can help solve a mystery.
“I live on Quentin Road down by the beach. I have the good fortune of being able to work from home many days of the week. Often, I work on my laptop on my back deck.
“Ever day since we moved into this house in 2021 (at least from May through October, when the weather cooperates), a small airplane flies over Compo Beach making loop after loop, at least 10-15 times a day. It’s crazy!
“It happens so often, and I’ve gotten to know the sound of the engine so well, that I’m able to tell if it’s a different plane just by the sound, even when off in the distance!
“I’ve tried to figure out where it comes from, whether it’s a tour guide or a flight training school, if it’s from Sikorsky or Danbury, etc., but to no avail!
“Any info? Any knowledge?”
I sure don’t know (though I’d sure like to figure out the deal with the helicopter that often flies over my condo at 10:30 many nights.)
If you can solve Jeff’s Compo Beach small plane mystery, click “Comments” below.
This is not the plane Jeff Laska often hears from his deck. In fact, it’s probably been “Photoshopped” in (or whatever technology was used over 100 years ago). If it was a real plane, at least some of the (very formally dressed) beachgoers would be looking up.
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In its 8 years, the Cello Camp has become an established part of Westport’s musical summer.
Nearly 3 dozen campers — mainly cellists, with a few bass players — spend a week learning new repertoire, and warming up their fingers for the school year ahead. Danielle Merlis and Lucas DeValdivia — Staples graduates, who played together since Long Lots Elementary School — lead the sessions.
The camp culminates in a free concert. The public is invited this Saturday (August 24, 5 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church).
The program ranges from Bizet, Dvorák and Vivaldi to “The Greatest Showman,” “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, and “Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter.”
Happy (cello) campers.
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Thanks to William Weiss for our new header: a wide-angle view of the Saugatuck River, and its west and Levitt Pavilion banks.
For those who don’t receive “06880” with a link to our home page (and for those who do, actually), here it is:
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Last week, the Staples football team did the “Murph” workout.
It was a fundraiser for both the Catch A Lift Fund, and the football program. Retired Army sergeant Jason Smith — who lost both legs, and suffered extensive damage to his right hand, when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, then recovered to win 8 medals at the Invictus Games — addressed the players and spectators. (Hat tip: Adam Vengrow)
Staples football staff, Gridiron Club members, town and police officials and Catch a Lift representatives, with the “Murph” participants. (Photo/JC Martin)
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Every day, our “Westport … Naturally” feature highlights some aspect of nature, somewhere in town.
Usually it’s an animal. Occasionally it’s a flower, bush or tree.
But weather is also part of Westport’s nature. Today’s Compo Beach image is one more example of the power — and surprising beauty — of Mother Nature.
(Photo/Rashmi Vyas)
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And finally … one more salute to Grant Theisinger, and Westport’s Wiffle Ball wonders:
(Weather or not you had a great weekend, “06880” is here to chronicle it. We serve Westport in many ways. But we can’t do it without reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Thanks JC Martin for the great photo work at the Murph workout!
Regarding the plane(s). Student pilots out of flight schools from Bpt. Westchester and Danbury very common over Westport. Check out the free app. Flightaware..
Three of my records were produced by Dan Penn with help from Memphis and Muscle Shoals legends Spooner Oldham, the Muscle Shoals Horns, Swampers David Hood and Jimmy Johnson, Jimmy Griffin of Bread and Memphis Boys Mike Leech and Bobby Emmons. Look them up! Miles of hit records! Great to see these cities honored. Also knew Rick Hall who founded FAME.
Way ta go Roger ‼️🇺🇸👏
Ditto to Dave Eason’s comment about small private planes seen regularly over the Compo Beach area. As a former flight school pupil I can attest that the area is a favorite spot for instructors to take pupils for practice.
I can solve the airplane mystery! I found an article in the Norwalk paper that talked about Jouvard field, which is where the merrit parkway exit 42 is now…up to Clinton Ave, including where Fillow street where a company was offering delight (daring?) flights for one weekend only from there to Compo Beach. I think I sent the info to Dan Woog who wrote about it probably 5 years back
Dan – thank you for posting! And to everyone else, thanks for your responses!
Old School Music
If you were lucky enough to snag a seat yesterday afternoon, you experienced something truly special. The event was a perfect blend of music, history, and storytelling, all brought to life by Roger Kaufman. His passion and knowledge made the journey through Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals, Motown, and Miami both engaging and entertaining.
Brian Torff kicked things off with fascinating insights that set the stage for the incredible performances that followed. The talent on display was outstanding, with Dennis Collins and his crew delivering powerful vocals backed by the Old School All-Stars and the Saugatuck Horns, including Crispin Cioe of Rolling Stones fame.
But the real highlight was Kaufman himself, who tied everything together with his captivating storytelling. The whole experience was unforgettable, and it’s got us all excited for whatever Kaufman has in store next.
Joe Pierce
Regarding Jeff Laskas’ and mine airplane problem:
I know for a fact who it is. His name is Aiden Schachter and his tail # is N2884D. He flys out of Stratford. Dan did a story about him a while back. He is a cool kid and a fellow entrepreneur. I have been meaning to write to him to tell him that he is driving me a lot of my neighbors CRAZY. He is constantly flying over our houses and I can tell when he gets within a mile that he is coming. His plane is very loud and he practices stalls and other maneuvers going round and round. I’m not sure if it is or isn’t legal but I sure wish he would find some new horizons to enjoy his flying. Dan, perhaps you could give him a call and express the frustration that his fellow Westporters are experiencing, I’m sure he has no idea how his actions are effecting his neighbors.
Tom, I’m surprised and disappointed that you would post this “fact.”
I reached out to Aiden, who as you note is a “cool kid” (I would add “VERY cool” — and polite, and mature). His quick response:
“I know for a fact who it’s not!
“I only fly once or twice a month under the tail sign N4332N. Regardless, there are two flight schools in Bridgeport that operate 20+ flights daily. The majority of these training flights are practicing maneuvers, it’s common procedure to take students to what’s called the west practice area. That practice area just happens to be over Westport, Compo, and the Long Island Sound near by. Student pilots and their instructors will do stalls, slow flight, recoveries, and other various types of training over and over again in that general area. I’d suggest reaching out to Avia, or Three Wing Flight school, and asking them to perhaps change their standard practice areas!”
His response was a lot more measured than mine would have been.
I apologize to both of you. I am very very sorry. I really thought I had my facts straight. I guess this is how things have gotten so out of hand in America right now. I should have made absolutely sure I knew what I was talking about. I have major egg on my face and I promise it won’t happen again.
Tom Risch
Thanks, Tom. Much appreciated!
Thanks for the apology (I’m Aiden’s Dad). Not sure where you got any of your ‘facts’ from since Aiden rarely even fly’s in the stated area and as he responded to Dan, only fly’s a few times a month at most when he does fly. Regardless, I do appreciate you owning up to your original comment. Best — Seth
As an aside, those planes don’t drive me crazy at all. In fact I have taken to calling them “my friends”. Perhaps I’m in need of more human interaction….
Ah, the joys of working from home rather than in an office environment!