For some reason, the YouTube link to the Westport Library’s “Battle of the Sexes” — the subject of this morning’s lead story — did not come through for some readers.
If you could not access it, try below. Let’s hope this works!
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Debra Kandrak is the woman behind the very successful “Paint the Town Yellow” project.
She writes: “On Friday, during my daily walk at Compo Beach, I came upon the memorial service for Max Harper — a young man taken tragically too soon.
“It was a beautiful tribute in his honor, with hundreds of people in attendance.
“So today I ask everyone to plant yellow daffodils in Max’s memory. (You may recall that the theme for ‘Paint the Town Yellow’ is to honor loved ones
“Let’s plant them all over town: around street signs, stop signs, mailbox posts, at the entrance to Staples and in front of the school.
“Let’s make this a community event. Email me (debra.kandrak@raveis.com) where you are going to plant, so I can post photos next spring for his family to see how much this community cares.
“I would like to see an explosion of yellow daffodils all around town in the spring, in honor of Max. This will be a beautiful tribute, and may give his family some peace.”
These daffodils line Debra Kandrak’s driveway.
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A large crowd packed Paul Lane Field last night, for the opening game of Staples’ football season.
(Photo/Luca Caniato)
The state champion Wreckers picked up right where they left off last fall, hammering non-league Hamden 48-7. Junior quarterback Nick Weil threw 5 touchdown passes.
Many attendees — including those not yet in Staples — wore “Play for Max” buttons.
(Photo/Bianca Jonas)
The buttons — honoring senior Max Harper, who died Wednesday in a dirt bike accident — were made Friday in the Staples library, by students.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
On Thursday and Friday, therapy dogs were available at Staples, to help students cope with the tragedy.
The dogs have been welcome fixtures at Staples at other times of stress. As shown below, they are always happy to help.
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The Westport Sunrise Rotary Club welcomed back a popular speaker — Representative Jim Himes — yesterday.
The meeting was open to the public, and a large number of non-members headed to Green’s Farms Church to hear the 4th District congressman.
Congressman Jim Himes, at the Westport Sunrise Rotary meeting. (Photo/Katie Augustyn)
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The Matsiko World Orphan Choir — 24 gifted and spirited teenagers — wind up their 2024 American tour, singing and dancing to songs from their native Africa — with a free concert on September 19 (Bedford Middle School, 7:30 p.m.).
It’s a gift to Westport from an anonymous benefactor, intended to expand the audience’s musical and cultural horizons.
Matsiko means “hope” in Ugandan. The Choir performs to help thousands of children attain a brighter future. Proceeds from the tour and merchandise sales support the organization’s worldwide educational programs for orphans.
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir has performed at the White House, US Capitol, Disneyland, Mount Rushmore and the Rose Bowl.
After Westport they head to Yale University, then Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Click here for free tickets, and more information.
Matsiko World Orphan Choir.
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
On October 7 (Fire Engine Pizza Company, 768 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation sponsors an important event.
There’s fun, food, and valuable information, to support awareness and celebrate survivors.
Casting for Awareness — a non-profit that provides free fly-fishing wellness retreats for women with breast cancer — will receive up to 20% of the total sales at the restaurant that day.
Fire Engine Pizza Company is a great place. And there’s no better cause.
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Finally. At last!
The moment we’ve all been waiting for.
A gaping Westport need will soon be filled.
Not a moment too soon … a nail salon will open in town!
(Photo/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
I’m sure customers will flock there.
But where will they go on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday …?
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Personally, I think it’s too early for Halloween decorations.
Or even pumpkin spice latte.
But Costco thinks this is a fine time to roll out their Christmas goods.
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
On second thought: Why not?
There are only 102 days left before Santa arrives.
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Well-known former Westporter Stephen Kaye died September 2. He was 86.
The Boston-area native, who graduated from Harvard Business School and MIT, and was a 1st lieutenant in the US Army Quartermaster Corps. lived in Westport for over 50 years. His family says he was known as “funny, smart, kind, caring, quirky and unique. Steve lived his life with energy and positivity. A passionate sailor, his boat ‘Forever Young’ expressed his outlook and vigor. Steve was an avid skier of groomed blue runs, a black belt in martial arts, always made new friends at the gym and was a ping-pong player with an overpowering serve.”
After working for Procter & Gamble, Gillette and other advertising, packaging and consulting firms, he founded Steve Kaye New Products in 1977. He built it into a successful firm, working with Fortune 500 as well as entrepreneurial companies.
He helped create Huggies diapers, the “Got Milk” campaign, chocolate-covered Oreos and other products of the 1980s and ’90s.
For the past 11 years Steve was an adjunct professor of marketing and sales at Sacred Heart University and Housatonic Community College.
Steve is survived by his life partner of over 30 years, Linda Arenson of Westport; son Bruce (Misael Rodriguez) of Milford; daughter Joan Garbow (Ralph) of Ridgefield; son Peter Kaye (Andrea Mazur) of Chevy Chase, Maryland; grandchildren Ben and Julia Garbow and Sally and Margot Kaye; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Kenny Wexler of Brookline, Massachusetts, and cousins Stanley and Enid Shulman of Brookline.
Donations in Steve’s honor can be made to Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester and Fairfield Counties, 46 Peaceable St., Ridgefield, CT 06877.
Steve Kaye
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Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate Dave Kingsley died September 4, from complications of lymphoma.
He and his wife Kathy settled in Newtown in 1986, where they raised 2 daughters.
Dave’s love for fishing, boating and sailing where cultivate during his youth on Long Island Sound. He particularly enjoyed bone-fishing in the Bahamas.
Dave played basketball, baseball and softball into adulthood. He found great joy in watching his daughters play sports, coaching several of their youth basketball teams.
He was a voracious reader, full of knowledge gained through his life as a builder, designer, contractor and business owner. He designed, built and remodeled homes and businesses in Connecticut and New York, including his own home.
One of his proudest achievements was the renovation of an old building on the Fairfield Hills campus, transforming a staff dining room and library at the former psychiatric hospital into a brewery.
Dave is survived by his wife Kathy; daughters Emma of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Caroline of Sausalito, California; sisters Karen of Wallingford, Patricia of San Diego, Mary Ann of Severna Park, Maryland, plus nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life is set for tomorrow (Sunday, September 15, 3 p.m., at his brewery), followed by a funeral Monday (September 16, 10:30 a.m., Saint Rose of Lima Church, Newtown).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Newtown Youth & Family Services.
Dave Kingsley
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature introduces its first-ever black crown night heron.
Ta da!
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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And finally … in honor of Costco’s very early marketing campaign (story above):
(Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? Please click here, to make a tax-deductible donation to “06880.” Thank you!)
Dave Kingsley… my good friend… quarterback and pitcher on many of our town championship teams… sorry to see you go