Two Representative Town Meeting committees — Parks & Rec, and Planning & Zoning — hold a joint meeting Wednesday (March 5, 7 p.m., Zoom). They’ll discuss the status of the Longshore maintenance shed.
The full RTM meets March 11 (7:30 p.m., Zoom). Two members have asked the body to review and reverse the Planning & Zoning Commission’s negative 8-24 report issued on February 3, regarding the request for a new maintenance building at a new Longshore location.
The P&Z issued a negative report on a request to build a new Parks & Rec maintenance facility off Old Cuttings Lane, near the golf course and Compo Road South.
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Bridgeport’s Bridge Academy junior Aaliyah Marshall took first place in the quarterfinals of Westport Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual 4-Way Speech Contest, held Thursday in the Staples library.
Nine students spoke for 5 minutes each. They could choose any subject that ties into the tenets of the Rotary Club’s 4-Way Test ethic. Aaliyah’s topic was “book banning in schools.”
Aaliyah Marshall, speaking at the Sunrise Rotary Club contest.
She and 3 runners-up — Staples High School freshman Tucker Eklund, sophomore Quinn Fitts and senior Shrish Popuri — advance to the semi-final in Trumbull March 15.
From left: Aaliyah Marshall, Quinn Fitts, Shrish Popuri and Tucker Eklund advance to the next round of the Rotary contest. (Hat tip and photos/Dave Matlow)
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How excited was the Staples boys basketball team — and their coaches — after their FCIAC championship win on Wednesday?
Check out the great video below by Will Stoutenberg (or click here):
The Wreckers begin their quest for the state Division I championship on Tuesday (March 4). They host Kolbe Cathedral. Tipoff is 6:30 p.m.
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Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground, aid-where-it’s-needed non-profit founded by Westport brothers Brian and Marshall Mayer — has organized a unique summer trip to that historic nation.
The itinerary does not include Westport’s sister city, Lyman. It’s too dangerous to travel so far east.
But between August 17 and 24, travelers will explore Ukraine’s history and culture; meet frontline heroes fighting for freedom; visit a UAI-sponsored summer camp, filled with children from the battered Donetsk region, and join UAI’s mobile water truck on a mission to deliver clean water to affected areas
Guests will meet key figures, visit sites unavailable to independent travelers, and connect with men and women helping to shape Ukraine’s future.
Click here to register. For questions and more information, email
donormission@ukraineaidinternational.org.
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Spring into spring at Wakeman Town Farm!
Upcoming programs include:
Soil is Alive! Garden lecture with horticulturist Duncan Himmelman (March 10, 7:30 p.m.)
Family Maple Syrup Experience (March 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Cooking with the Minis (ages K-2, 5 weeks starting March 24; grades 2-6, 5 weeks starting March 26)
Farm to Bar Mixology Class (March 27, 6 p.m.; $100)
Spring Cooking Class (March 28, 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.: $55)
Adult Spring Kitchen Dinner Class with chef Laura Weinman (April 6, 6:30 p.m.; $120, BYOB)
Spring Break Playdates (April 14, 15, 10 a.m.; ages 1-3)
Eggstravaganza (April 19, 10:30 a.m.).
NOTE: Registration for kids’ summer programs begins March 10.
Click here for details, and registration information.
Easter, at Wakeman Town Farm.
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Happy Women’s History Month!
To celebate, the Weston History & Culture Center presents “Rosies of World War II: Learn About Real ‘Rosie the Riveters.'”
The free March 29 event (2 p.m.) focuses on the role and legacy of women factory workers in World War II — and the women in Weston who contributed to the war effort. Click here for more information.
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Y’s Men of Westport and Weston have been around a long time, and seen and done a lot.
But most had never gone behind the scenes at the Westport Country Playhouse.
This week, they enjoyed a fascinating, up close and very personal tour. Archivist Bruce Miller led members all over the historic playhouse, from the stage and costume rooms, downstairs to the dressing rooms and green room.
The tour was preceded by lunch at Gabriele’s, the steakhouse next door.
Bruce Miller leads the Y’s Men’s Playhouse tour.
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Last month, “06880” posted a story about Sam Weiser.
The 2012 Staples High School graduate was headed to Carnegie Hall, with his Columbus, Ohio-based Carpe Diem String Quartet.
Lauri Weiser — a well-known “06880” photographer, and (more importantly, for today) Sam’s aunt — could not make it to the famed theater.
So Sam did want any loving nephew would do: He and his ensemble gave Lauri and her mother a private concert, at her Westport home.
They say the way to Carnegie Hall is “practice, practice, practice.” Or you can take a detour to Westport, to “perform, perform, perform.”
Sam Weiser (left) and the Carpe Diem String Quartet, at Lauri Weiser’s home.
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Second graders may not know how far Los Angeles is from Westport.
But students in Elena Wetmore’s class have learned one thing: They’re never too far to help.
When they heard about an opportunity to send gratitude to firefightters for their work battling wildfires, a parent helped the youngsters create beautiful cards, and write heartfelt letters.
Their drawings and messages were greatly appreciated.
Los Angeles firefighters, with Kings Highway cards and letters.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature honors a visitor on Fillow Street:
(Photo/Merri Mueller)
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And finally … we made it to March!
And what better way to celebrate than with the March King, John Philip Sousa.
(Here’s another way to celebrate March: Support “06880,” with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. And thank you!)
Every US ARMY celebration and parade begins with SOUSA and the music brings back crisp memories. 🇺🇸
thanks Dan🙏
Aaliyah, the young woman who blew us all away with her Four Way speech, is a junior at Bridge Academy in Bridgeport.
Thank you. That information has been added to the story above.
I was at the Carpe Diem String Quartet’s Weill Hall recital two evenings ago, and Sam and his three colleagues are a truly inspiring up-and-coming ensemble.