An attendee at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, which heard comments from 3 Staples High School soccer players about the non-renewal of the contract of coach Russell Oost-Lievense, writes (and asks for anonymity, out of concern for retribution): “You’re right about how well the boys spoke, and how respectful they were.
“But do you know who was not respectful? Superintendent Scarice.
“This photo (below) is how he responded as the boys spoke … scrolling his iPad.
“It turns out Tom’s correct … there is a device problem at Staples High School. But it’s the adults who are addicted.”
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice (far left), as Staples High School incoming boys soccer captain Dylan Shackelford addressed the Board of Education.
==================================================
The first 5 items on the agenda for next Wednesday’s Board of Selectwomen meeting (June 11, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium) are fairly straightforward.
The final item may cause a bit more discussion. It’s a “request for recommendations for proposed traffic modifications submitted to the Board of Selectwomen acting in its capacity as the Local Traffic Authority,” submitted by the developers of The Hamlet at Saugatuck.
The next day (June 12, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) the Representative Town Meeting has 2 other big items.
One is a request from the Long Lots School Building Committee to approve $101,920,000 for construction of the new elementary school.
The other is to approve an application by the town — approved already by the Conservation Commission and Flood & Erosion Control Board — to construct that school, along with “parking lot, athletic fields, playgrounds, and associated site and utility work.”
==================================================
“06880” is overseen by a dedicated board of directors.
Because we are strong supporters of Staples High School’s award-winning news magazine and website — and we want to encourage the next generation of journalists — one of the board’s 7 seats is reserved for an Inklings staff member.
Rising senior Will Enquist will fill that seat in the coming school year.
As a managing editor, he oversees one of the 2 staffs responsible for producing the school’s monthly newsmagazine. He also writes on subjects including sports, politics and international affairs.
Beyond journalism, Will has a strong passion for social studies. He was a member of Staples’ 2025 “We the People” team that placed 8th nationally. He interned for State Senator Ceci Maher’s 2024 reelection campaign, and earned recognition at the 2024 Connecticut History Day competition for a collaborative research project on the Yalta Conference.
Will is also involved with the Westport Youth Commission. In his free time he enjoys reading historical nonfiction, weightlifting and watching Mets baseball.
Welcome aboard, Will!
Will Enquist
===============================================
There is one less gelato store in Westport.
La Fenice — which opened a little less than 4 years ago — has closed its doors.
Fortunately, Cold Fusion is still serving just a short ways away, across Main Street.
(Hat tip and photo/Sal Liccione)
==================================================
The Westport Country Playhouse keeps adding to its already great summer schedule.
They just announced 3 new shows:
Script in Hand Jr.: “Charlotte’s Web” (June 29, 4 p.m.). This staged reading in the Barn — a timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and the power of words — is tailored to kids and families. Middle and high school students will bring the barnyard to life through their voices and imagination. Tickets $20; click here to purchase, and for more information.
“Broadway Scores at the Playhouse: From Broadway to Hollywood, a Concert Celebration of the Great Musicals of Stage and Screen” (July 24, 25, 26 at 8 p.m.; July 26 at 3 p.m.).Songs — and stories behind the musicals that made the leap from the stage to movies. Among them: “Singin’ in the Rain,” “West Side Story, “The King and I,”” Chicago,” “The Color Purple,” Wicked and more. Click here for tickets, and more information.
“Ana Gasteyer” (August 8, 8 p.m.). The “Saturday Night Live” veteran brings her wit and vocals to the Playhouse stage. She’ll perform jazz standards, Broadway classics and more. Click here for tickets, and more information.
=================================================
The annual Special Olympics Torch Run passed through Westport yesterday.
Liz Kaner was at Whole Foods, when she saw the “beautiful and moving” relay. With a police escort, they’re on their way to New Haven.
(Photo/Liz Kaner)
==================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows 2 “birds” flying low over Long Island Sound yesterday.
Click “Comments” if you can identify both by name.
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
==================================================
And finally … happy 85th birthday to Tom Jones!
(What’s new? Well, maybe not new, but another day, another reminder that “06880” relies on support from readers like you. Please click here to support our work.Thank you!)
SH-60 Seahawk and what appears to be an Osprey
You’re close but actually, that’s not a SH-60 Seahawk; it’s a UH-60 Blackhawk. You can tell because the Seahawk has a tail wheel that’s shifted to the starboard side (instead of centerline) and features a folding tail for shipboard storage; this one clearly doesn’t. It also lacks the naval-specific antennas and equipment mounts found on the SH-60.
It’s also not a Pave Hawk (HH-60G) because it’s missing key features like the refueling probe and the prominent radar and sensor domes on the nose that Pave Hawks use for combat search and rescue. The configuration in this photo is consistent with the standard UH-60 Blackhawk used by the U.S. Army.
For context, I’m a pilot myself and I’m set to attend Army flight school to fly the UH-60 MEDEVAC platforms.
Thanks for your service ‼️🇺🇸
Best wishes in flight school. I’m sure you’ll also do well in ground school.
I wonder if Scarice should be fired?
Well past the wondering phase Jack, but missing brass ones ain’t gonna happen ‼️🇺🇸
Blackhawk and a cormorant?
Black Hawk and Osprey
Oh so sad, losing a GELATO purveyor; and one with the “bring ’em all in” name, La Fenice…good riddance.
Dan the amount of money it takes to open a business run I and maybe close it is steep, your tone is so hurtful to maybe a family, which the are going through a hard time. I wish them luck in the future.
No offense intended, Janine; just wanted to point out that maybe with a less upity, more Germain name they might not be closing.