Westport’s first-ever town-wide Juneteenth celebration will be a great one.
The Westport Museum for History & Culture and TEAM Westport will offer 3 free Black History Walking Tours, on our nation’s newest federal holiday.
In addition, the Westport Rotary Club has funded a day of free admission to the museum’s exhibition “The Real Revolution,” an explanation of the Revolutionary War through untold stories. They include a mother with sons on opposing sides; enslaved men risking their lives for freedom, and a woman posing as a man in the fight for liberty, The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 19 .
The 90-minute tours are based on the museum’s exhibition “Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport,” which traces the stories of Black Westporters from the colonial era to the present day.
Participants will visit sites connected to Westport’s African American history. Registration is required (click here), and participation is limited to 20 people per tour. Two tours begin at 10 a.m.; the third starts at 4 p.m.
Part of the 2018 exhibit at the Westport Museum of History & Culture.
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Yesterday, the New York Times published an interesting piece, with 8 prominent American historians.
The subject: President Trump’s new gold plaques in the West Wing, summarizing all 47 US presidencies.
“They are peppered with falsehoods, misrepresentations, insults, praise, self-promotion and erratic capitalizations,” the Times says.
President Trump, with the West Wing plaques. A photo of an autopen stands in for President Biden, in between the 2 Trump presidencies. (Photo/Doug Mills for the New York Times)
Among the historians: Marc Selverstone. The 1980 Staples High School graduate is the University of Virginia Miller Center’s director of presidential studies, and co-chair of its Presidential Recordings Program.
He and the others — including Douglas Brinkley of Rice University, and Sean Wilentz of Princeton — examined and annotated every plaque. Click here for the full story, with annotations. (Hat tip: Dave Harrison)
Marc Selverstone
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The LGBTQ community — and allies and friends — celebrate Pride tomorrow (Sunday, 12 p.m.), on Jesup Green.
Among the featured guests: Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Staples 2021 graduate/Broadway star Jamie Mann.
The 6th annual always-fun event includes live music, food trucks, local artisan vendors and information booths. It’s family friendly — and Westport at its most inclusive.
Getting creative, at last year’s Pride. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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We posted a passel of rainbow photos last night.
All over town, folks snapped images of the spectacular scene, and sent them to “06880.”
This one came in a few minutes ago. It’s a bit late — but special enough to slip in here.
One more reason to love Compo Beach, and so much else about our town.
(Photo/Amanda Meltzer)
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The #1 cause of preventable death after an injury is bleeding.
Would you know what to do, before first responders arrive?
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service can help. On Thursday (June 18, 7 to 8:45 p.m.), they offer a free “Stop the Bleed” class. Click here for details, and to register.
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Michael Aitkenhead’s passion for the outdoors is well known.
A former Staples High School environmental science teacher who is now at Weston High, he also spent several years as the Wakeman Town Farm farmer.
This summer, he joins an expedition to a largely unexplored part of the Peruvian Andes: the Boiling River. The group includes teachers, scientists and journalists.
Aitkenhead is a teaching fellow of The Explorers Club. The 122-year-old international organization is dedicated to research, exploration and conservation.
Explorers Club president emeritus Richard Wiese — another Westonite – will be on the trip too. The group will explore 3 sites, where water temperatures surpass 200 degrees F.
Aitkenhead told “Weston Today,” “This has been a bucket list trip since I was in junior high school.” Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
Michael Aitkenhead, in his Staples days.
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Speaking of Weston: It’s not on the water.
But on June 28 (5:30 p.m.), One Bad Oyster comes to town.
The upbeat band brings “ska, surf and happiness” to the Weston History & Culture Center’s outdoor concert series, “Music at the Barn.” It’s a family event; bring a lawn chair and picnic.
Tickets are available at the door or online ($15 members, $20 non-members; under 12 free).
One Bad Oyster
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June is dog license month.
Coco Christie — and Coco’s friend, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie — remind you it’s time to renew. Click here to do it online — and receive the tag by mail.
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Congratulations to Kieran Anand and Jonny Greenspan!
The Staples tennis players defeated several tough opponents — including 2 Greenwich teams — to become CIAC (state) doubles champions.
They’re the 19th state doubles champs in Staples history, and the 6th under coach Kris Hrisovulos.
Kieran Anand and Jonny Greenspan
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High school performers are the focus of the Westport Country Playhouse’s next masterclass.
“Acting the Song” (June 28, 2 to 4 p.m.) focuses on bringing songs to life through acting. It’s led by Broadway actor and teaching artist Shereen Ahmed.
The fee is $100, and is limited to 15 participants. Scholarships are available. For details and registration, click here. Questons? Emai mmeath@westportplayhouse.org.
Shereen Ahmed
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Jane Yolen — the very prolific children’s author of 450 books — died Thursday in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She was 87.
She was also a 1956 graduate of Staples High School.
She was as accomplished as a teenager as she was in her professional career. At Staples she was news editor of the school paper Inklings, captain of the girls basketball team, and vice president of the Spanish and Latin Clubs.
She also sang in the choir, served on the yearbook and Soundings literary magazine staffs, won 2 “Voice of Democracy” contests, and worked as a Westport Library page and Sunday school teacher.
Yolen went on to Smith College, and published her 1st book at 22. She also raised 3 children.
Click here for an obituary published by People magazine. Click here for a 2015 “06880” story.
Jane Yolen, Staples 1955-56 basketball captain.
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A bird this beautiful would stand out anywhere.
Photographed against a gorgeous background by Tammy Barry, it’s perfect for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
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And finally … for some reason, the item about the new presidential plaques in the West Wing (story above) reminded us of this song:
(Our daily Roundup is like Forrest Gump’s chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get. If you like being surprised — and informed — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Another disgraceful felon47 story.
Hillary called it right long ago. Deplorable.
For those new to Westport, The Westport Museum for History & Culture has nothing to do with the town of Westport. Donations to them is giving to the owner, not the town of Westport! Also, my condolences to the family of Jane Yolen. My cousin Stan Backiel graduated with her in the class of 1956. What an amazing person she was!
Her brother, Steve Yolen (SHS ‘61) was one of my favorite Camp Mahackeno counselors. Dan should do a feature on former Mahackeno YMCA counselors and what became of them. We are a very exclusive and honored group, however modest.
Jane Yolen was a classmate, we worked together on various Staples publications, played sports together and enjoyed each other’s company. It was easy to tell even then that she would make a mark. We stayed in touch intermittently, got together now and then and maintained a connection. It’s what she would do. She was a wonderful lady.
Sally, Did you know my cousin Stan Backiel from the class of 1956? I think I knew your family. You have a couple of brothers? I remember a Palmer family.