Jackie Robinson is a towering historical figure. Thanks to Major League Baseball’s ongoing efforts, every young fan today knows the story of the first man to break the sport’s Black barrier.
But older Americans have more first-hand knowledge of the Brooklyn Dodgers star. They were youngsters or adolescents when he played, or had recently retired.
Robinson was the subject of the Westport Library Common Ground Initiative‘s first-ever Jackie Robinson Essay Contest.
Modeled on TEAM Westport’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest, it invited area residents age 60 or older to reflect on this prompt: “Jackie Robinson stands as an icon of equality and civil rights. What does that say about the power of his legacy, of the place of sports in our culture, and about our modern-day society?”
The Library, Senior Center and Meryl Moss Media group chose 6 winners.
Tony Sanches won first place — and a Jackie Robinson Baseball Hall of Fame 1962 induction limited edition bat — for his essay, “Life Lessons.” A New York Mets fan who is very familiar with the large Robinson statue outside Citi Field, he wrote about how the player inspired him — a “brown-skinned kid … in an all-white Long Island suburb.” Sanches’ essay is here.
Second place went to Steve Karp. His essay “42 and Me” described the writer’s youth in Stamford — where Robinson lived — and the player’s personal impact on him.
Other essay winners included Jim Alkon for “His Courage Taught Baseball to be Color Blind,“; William Field (“The Meritocracy of the Locker Room: Jackie Robinson’s Halo Looms Large“); Martin Erdheim (“Jackie Was America’s Dream“), and Holly Goss Betts (“Jackie Robinson Moved Boulders“).
Tony Sanches, with his winning Jackie Robinson bat.
==================================================
It’s not easy, overseeing all the music and art education in the Westport Public Schools.
But Stephen Zimmerman does it — and does it well.
So well, in fact, that last week our townwide coordinator of music and visual arts was named Administrator of the Year, by the Connecticut Music Educators Association.
He was cited for his “visionary leadership, tireless advocacy for teachers, and unwavering commitment to ensuring high quality music programs for all students… (He) is deeply invested in teacher growth, regularly presenting at state and national conferences and working closely with Connecticut districts, teachers, and music administrators to strengthen instruction, curriculum, and assessment practices.”
Steve Zimmerman
=================================================
The 9th annual Westport Dog Festival is this Sunday (May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Winslow Park).
This week, TAILS volunteers have been working like — you know — filling 1,000 doggie bags, given to attendees.
Sponsors provide an item to promote themselves. They include things like dog food, a doggie poop bag holder (with bags), dog bandannas, bubbles, refrigerator magnets and discount coupons.
This is one doggie bag you’re not embarrassed to ask for.
Those doggone bags!
==================================================
If you didn’t help with the Compo Beach playground rebuildl — or even if you did — there’s one more chance to help.
Volunteers are needed all day this Saturday (May 17) to do one final heaving, helping sweep of the grounds.
Head on down to sift through the sand. And if you’ve got a metal detector: Bring it along!
Almost done! (Photo/Larry Silver)
==================================================
Westport Sunrise Rotary is collaborating with Open Doors Homeless Shelter in Norwalk for Epic Day of Service.
They’re looking for volunteers to help paint bed frames, and the front entrance of the facility.
Two shifts are avaiable this Saturday (May 17; 9 to 11 a.m., and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.). Please PM me if you are available and willing to give back. If interested, email asarelli@yahoo.com.
=================================================
To celebrate its decade, The Cottage has unveiled a Ten Year Tasting Menu.
The multi-course offering was designed by chef/owner Brian Lewis, 2025 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: Northeast. The limited-time menu pays homage to “the restaurant’s roots in seasonality, storytelling, and enduring partnerships with New England’s finest farmers, fishermen, and foragers.
“This menu is a tribute to the ingredients, people, and moments that have shaped our story over the past 10 years,” says Lewis.
“We pushed ourselves to dig deeper — reconnecting with our local purveyors, reimagining time-honored techniques, and creating dishes that carry real meaning. Each course reflects a memory, a partnership, or a turning point.”
The tasting menu is available for dinner Tuesday through Saturday; $175 per guest, with an optional $75 wine pairing. Call 203.557.3701, or email chefbrianlewis@fullhousehg.com. Full menus and more information can be found here.
Tasting menu samples, at The Cottage.
==================================================
The Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Extra Special Spring Bash is truly special.
The lively, inclusive event for teens and young adults with disabilities (May 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.) is open to youth ages 12 to 18 with physical or neuro-diverse needs, and their families.
The Y will transform its fitness studio into a spring-themed festival, with music, dancing, games, food, a photo booth, gift bags, and plenty of joy. A live DJ will keep the energy high, in a safe, welcoming space made just for arrwnswwa.
Parents and guardians can hang out in a lounge nearby. Registration and details are available here.
=================================================
Joe Vallone was stymied recently in his efforts to build 32 units of 100% affordable housing on Maple Avenue South, behind the Exxon station.
But the Westport architect just completed another fully affordable project, The Camelot — in West Hartford.
The range of income levels is between $30,000 and $80,000 a year. Vallone first pitched the idea in early 2022. Full details are available here.
Joe Vallone, at The Camelot. (Photo/Ronni Newton for We-Ha.com)
==================================================
.Ken Runkel’s digital artwork is a highlight of nearly every “06880” Saturday online art gallery.
But today’s post has nothing to do with art.
Ten years ago Ken’s daughter Lindsey — a 2009 Staples High School graduate — fractured her spine in a mountain biking accident. She was paralyzed from the chest down.
But she earned 2 degrees, including a BSN in nursing from the University of Connecticut. In fact, Lindsey broke new ground, as the first paraplegic nursing student at UConn.
Soon after graduation she was hired by Yale New Haven Hospital, as the only paraplegic registered nurse in the liver and kidney transplant unit. In 2021 she became a critical care nurse, in the ICU at Yale New Haven Hospital.
She has fought tirelessly to live fully, and refuses to let paralysis define or limit her. Yet she has faced harsh challenges, both medical and financial.
Lindsey was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. She has encountered ongoing obstacles to find effective pharmaceutical and treatment solutions.
Her daily medical needs already carry significant costs, and the treatment for ulcerative colitis has further increased her financial burden.
A campaign was established for Lindsey at HelpHopeLive, a non-profit that supports people with medical expenses due to catastrophic injuries and illnesses. All donations are tax-deductible and can only be used for medical expenses.
Lindsay Runkel
==================================================
On June 27 (6:30 p.m.,), Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads make their first-ever Westport appearance.
They’ll fill the Westport Library with their fun Caribbean swagger, and bouncy reggae rhythms, for a special dance party.
It’s billed as “the world’s largest reggae dance party.” And there’s Red Stripe beer!
Tickets are $37.50. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Mystic Bowie
==================================================
A 37-year-old Darien women was charged with larceny, following an investigation into a March incident at Mitchells. The woman allegedly removed security bags from clothes worth more than $9,000 in a dressing room. She was released after posting a $50,000 bond.
Westport Police also issues these citations, between May 7 and 14:
- Driving while texting: 7 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 4
- Speeding: 2
- Failure to renew registration: 2
- Evading responsibility: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Operating an improperly loaded motor vehicle: 1
- Improper use of markers: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
==================================================
For today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured image, we present: the moon.
Specifically, a full one over Long Island Sound:
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of Joe Vallone’s latest affordable housing project (story above):
(Another day, another Roundup filled with news about events, restaurants, and everything else that makes this town pop. If you enjoy this daily potpourri, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
I met Jackie Robinson. I also met Jack Dempsey and I met a soldier from the Spanish American War who fought 127 years ago!
I loved your piece on Jackie Robinson and the winning essay. JR’s courageous efforts to break the major league color barrier with dignity and integrity remain a source of inspiration today in a divided nation.
Art, It was Branch Ricky who was the originator of the idea of breaking the color barrier and there was a search for which athlete would be the best choice. Intense interviews were conducted because they needed a person who could keep his cool under attacks!
I think it spelled Rickey. The second “negro” player was Larry Doby who was hired only a few months after Jackie Robinson.
LARRY DOBY was the first Black to play in the American League and the first to go directly to the major leagues, signing a contract at 17 years old. Despite the fact that Jackie focused on football at the outset and had some temper flareups, Branch, who had managed several other teams before the Dodgers as well as played professionally, went with the MAN!
Great Prager shot!
The picture of Vallone’s “affordable” but hideous apartment building is proof positive that the neighbors behind the gas station and the town itself were well served buy the property owner’s refusal to sell out to such shit.
LOL, good one.
I agree Dan Katz, a monstrosity. No doubt a highly profitable one for the architect too.
I have a request for Dan Woog.On October 4, 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers won their only World Series title. Let’s commemorate that win on the 70th anniversary with a 06880 post!