Conventional wisdom is: No one pays attention to political campaigns until after Labor Day.
Well, Labor Day has come and gone. And as Election Day nears, Westport’s League of Women Voters offers a number of opportunities for residents to hear — and question — candidates for a variety of local offices.
Democracy requires informed voters. Mark your calendars for:
- “A Conversation with 1st & 2nd Selectperson Candidates”: September 26, 2 p.m., Senior Center.
- “Fall Brunch & Design a Sign: Meet Your RTM Candidates”: October 4, 10 a.m. to noon Westport Library. The event includes coffee, donuts, snacks, and art activities to keep kids occupied. Co-sponsored by “06880.”
- “Selectmen Candidates” (October 14, 7 p.m., Toquet Hall); co-sponsored with Westport Youth Commission. Special event for students; adults invited too.
- “A Conversation with Board of Finance Candidates”: October 15, 2 p.m., Senior Center.
- “Board of Education”: October 22, 7 p.m., Toquet Hall
- “Planning & Zoning Commission”: October 23; site TBD.
- “Candidates Debates: Board of Education, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Finance”: October 27, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library.
- “Candidates Debate: 1st Selectman and Planning & Zoning Commission”: October 28, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library.

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Congratulations to Natalie Chudowsky!
The Staples High School senior has been chosen for the US U-17 women’s national soccer team.
She’ll travel with the squad next month to train in Spain, then will compete in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Natalie was a 3-year star for Staples, but because of national team duties is not playing for the varsity this fall. Her current team is New York Soccer Club.
She’ll graduate in January, and head to Duke University.
This past spring, Natalie started all 3 games at center back for the US U-17 team, at the CONCACAF Tournament (World Cup qualifier), in Trinidad & Tobago. The Americans won all 3 matches, against the hosts, Honduras and El Salvador.
She also played in a pair of friendly matches this summer, against Japan.

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The nights are getting shorter, but they’re still filled with Levitt Pavilion music.
Argonaut, Wasp, and Wild & Company entertained last night. The crowd — of all ages — loved them.

(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)

(Photo/Susan Garment)

Shout-out to the lighting and sound guy, Randy Thomas! (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image is a bit larger than life.
Thankfully.

(Photo/Susan Iseman)
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And finally …

Do you think USA voters are informed ?
Hell NO‼️
Many 06880 comments prove my conclusion.
Misinformed perhaps.
do you think education plays a role ?
Only if you didn’t go to Staples.
Judging by some of the 06880 comments, a few folks are working with nothing higher than a room-temperature IQ.
perhaps many judgements might be made by emotions as opposed to science and fact ?
And here I thought the liberal elites had a lock on “I thumb my nose at you” elitism and arrogance? My mistake.
Don’t worry, I’m an equal-opportunity critic. Low IQ comments come from all directions.
Praying mantis (in pic) is CT state insect.
Congrats to Natalie! Will she be the first Staples soccer alum to play in a World Cup of any kind? And is Natalie the third Staples soccer alum—after Tim Hunter ‘71 and Kyle Martino ‘99—to play on a US National soccer team? Or were there any others to the best of your knowledge? Thanks.
Fred, don’t forget the great Steve Bauman SHS 70 and Penn ‘74
I may have misspelled Steve’s last name. Can someone double check me? Is it one or two n’s?
Baumann. Yes, a great player who made it to the NASL but I do not believe he ever played for the National team.
Thanks for the correction I was never much of a speller. Advanced Calculus was where I shone. He was probably the best all-around athlete ever to come out of Staples. With the possible exception of Dana Williams ‘70 but he didn’t play soccer. He was co-captain of the great ‘69 football team.
But as a calculus student, you do realize football is a derivative of soccer.
But of course John. In places other than America soccer is called football.
Steve was First-Team All-County in both soccer and baseball—and, while he wasn’t First Team All-County in basketball, he might have been Second Team or Honorable Mention as he had multiple 20+ point games. Steve also was a kicker on the Penn varsity football team in college and, if Albie Loeffler had not built up such a successful soccer program at Staples, I am convinced Steve would have been a star quarterback on the Staples football team. Last, but not least, he was unbelievably fast; I imagine he could have been a track star if he had decided to pursue that instead of baseball at Staples. As for me, Albie Loeffler once famously noted: “Fred, I have come to the conclusion that you have two speeds: slow and slower.” So, yes, I feel very fortunate to have played with Steve.
Fred, I never played with Steve but I’m confident he appreciates your feedback.
Rob Hagebak represented the US on a youth national team in a tournament in Russia in the early 1980s. Mike Clifford did too, I think.
Just by chance we will be in Morocco at that time. Would be fun to see her play there. Who knows? That would be special