Once again, the Memorial Day parade is honored to honor a World War II veteran.
Herb Podel is this year’s grand marshal, for the May 25 event.
The 101-year-old longtime Westporter served in the Pacific Theater. He was attached to a Seabee unit as an aviation and electronics specialist. Their primary focus was preparation for the planned invasion of Japan.
A resident here since 1965, Herb spent decades contributing to the community through volunteerism, leadership and civic engagement. The father of 2 daughters, Alison Bricken and Jacqueline Podel, he owned a company that manufactured recreation equipment for many years.
Herb has received 2 awards from the town of Westport recognizing his volunteer efforts. He served for many years as president of the Saugatuck Senior Cooperative board. He founded and facilitated the longtime Cultural Salon discussion group in Westport, and held numerous roles at Temple Israel.
Herb now lives at The Residence at Westport. He continues to be an active member of the Westport Center for Senior Activities, where he regularly participates in classes, discussion groups, special events and community lunches.
In February of 2025, Herb Podel celebrated his 100th birthday at the Senior Center with director Wendy Petty (right) and then-2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore.
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Speaking of the Memorial Day parade: Westport groups, civic organizations and businesses interested in participating in the community event should register here. The deadline is May 17.
(Photo/Kelly Freitag)
All ages, and all kind of groups, “march” in the Memorial Day parade.
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Hard to believe, but the Westport Pops Concert is now 10 years old.
From its first performance in 2016, the Staples High School-meets-Levitt Pavilion event became a beloved (and quickly sold-out) tradition.
This year’s show is Friday, June 5. Featured musicians include the nationally recognized Staples Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble One, Choralaires, Sonora, Orphenians, Stradivarius Chamber Orchestra, and small group ensembles.
James Naughton returns as emcee.
The Levitt lawn opens at 6 p.m. (BYO chair); the concert begins at 7. Tickets are free, but a donation of $15 per ticket is suggested to help offset production costs.
Tickets are available at wpsarts.org/staplesmusic on Friday, May 22 at 9 a.m.; first-come, first-served.
Westport Pops poster graphic inspired by senior Connor Yuan.
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Another great Westport tradition is also near. And it too celebrates a milestone.
The 20th annual Taste of Westport returns Wednesday, June 3 (6 p.m., Fairfield County Hunt Club). As they’ve done for 20 years, the area’s top restaurants and mixologists will host an evening of great food, drinks and community — all for a wonderful cause.
The fundraiser benefits CLASP Homes. All proceeds help provide group homes and 24/7/365 services for adults with autism and developmental disabilities.
Restaurants serving up their favorite dishes include Gabriele’s, The Bridge, Nômade, Massi Co, The Whelk, Artisan and Dandelion — and many others.
Guests will also enjoy signature cocktails, a Champagne and caviar bar, and a bourbon tasting experience. A silent auction adds to the fun.
A few tickets remain. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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One more event of note: A few foursomes remain for the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s 10th annual Golf for Good tournament (May 18, Aspetuck Valley Country Club).
he Westport Weston Family YMCA is proud to announce its 10th Annual Golf for Good Charity Golf Tournament, taking place on Monday, May 18, 2026 at Aspetuck Valley Country Club.
Proceeds support the Y’s Financial Assistance Program, enabling individuals and families to participate in programs regardless of financial circumstances. Funds also support youth sports and camp, Parkinson’s wellness and independence programs, cancer survivorship support, and access for veterans.
For more details and to register, click here.
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We’re not sure how many Westporters follow the Library of Congress on Twitter (aka “X”).
But it’s a good thing for “06880” that Josh Berkowsky does.
A recent tweet celebrating National Cartoonist Day (May 5 — we all missed it) gave several examples of cartoons drawn on letters by soldiers in World War II.
Two very colorful ones were sent from a Sgt. Duquette in San Francisco, to Mrs. Gerald Duquette, on Sturges Highway here.
They are not the work of Sgt. Duquette. Josh says that the Library of Congress website credits the art to his friend, Technical Sgt. Samuel Lionel Boylston of South Carolina.
The recipient is Duquette’s wife, “Mrs. Gerald Duquette.”
One more local connection: Tom Duquette is a frequent “06880” commenter. He always adds “SHS ’75” (Staples Class of 1975).
Tom: If you’re reading this, please click “Comments” to let us know the connection!
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Four properties are on the agenda, for the Blight Prevention Board’s May 14 meeting (7 p.m., Zoom):
- 20 Center Street
- 5 Hiawatha Lane
- 7 Hiawatha Lane
- 20 Meeker Road
20 Center Street
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Norwalk’s Mike Camacho will not have far to travel Thursday.
The drummer headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (May 14, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7).
He’ll be joined by bassist Phil Bowler, pianist Steve Einorson, trumpeter Josh Bruneau and saxophonist Nathan Bellot. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Spring foliage continues spectacularly, on Hillandale Road (and many other spots, all around town).
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo comes from Greens Farms resident Bob Weingarten.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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And finally … in honor of 2 World War II stories today (Herb Podel and Sgt. Duquette, above):
(We don’t want to toot our horn, but since our first “06880” in 2009, we’ve posted over 20,000 stories — and haven’t missed a day. If you enjoy our 24/7/365 work, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Hi Dan, thanks so much for highlighting this story about my late Uncle Jerry. But first, I believe that Mr. Podel served in the US Naval Construction Battalions which were known as ‘Seabees’ and not “CB’s”. Thank you for your service Mr. Podel!
My Uncle Jerry (S/Sgt Gerald W. Duquette) signed up shortly after Pearl Harbor for the Army Air Force, got married and shipped out for what would be a 3-year tour in the South Pacific. He served on various islands as a clerk supporting P-38 fighter squadrons of the 13th Army Air Force.
One of his buddies, T/Sgt Samuel Boylston was a bit of an artist and he would embellish Uncle Jerry’s letters home to my Aunt Lillian with humorous cartoons depicting G.I. life on these remote islands during the war. My aunt saved them all and my sister and I would look at them from time to time when we were little kids.
Around 2002 the Library of Congress was searching for items to add to their Veteran’s History Project and my aunt and uncle found out about it and asked if the LOG would be interested in these old letters and envelopes. It turned out they were looking for just this sort of G.I. folk art and 60 letters were donated and are digitally archived here https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.01848/. The New York Times ran a story about them and the letters in the Sunday, February 22 2004 edition in Section 14.
After the war my Uncle Jerry returned home where he started Jerry’s Hardware with my father in Bridge Square and he and my Aunt Lillian spent the rest of their lives in their cozy home on Hale Street. T/Sgt Boylston returned to South Carolina and went to law school and became a state representative for six years and built a trucking company. My uncle was quite active with the Clinton VFW post in Westport and I believe was the post commander for time.
Thanks, Tom, for this fascinating back story. Your uncle and his contemporaries were indeed the Greatest Generation.
The press release from the town referenced “CBs.” I should have known better. I’ll change it now.