Roundup: Backpacks & Childcare; Art, Music & Golf; Gulls & Lanternflies …

As families prepare for the school year, Westport’s Department of Human Services sees an increased need for assistance from local families.

And an urgent need for community donations to ensure that every child begins the school year with the supplies and resources they need to succeed.

Human Services seeks donations of new school supplies, backpacks, Walmart gift cards, and monetary contributions to support local children and families.

Needed items include new notebooks, folders, binders, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, scissors, highlighters, calculators and other classroom supplies.

Gift cards may be dropped off at Human Services in Town Hall.

Monetary donations may be made by check payable to Westport Human Services (110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880). or online (select “Family to Family Programs—Seasonal Program”).

Human Services also seeks financial support for its Afterschool Program, for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. It is a safe, supportive environment where children receive homework assistance, participate in enriching activities, build friendships, and develop important social and emotional skills.

Elaine Daignault, Human Services director, says, “Our residents have always demonstrated extraordinary compassion and generosity. Every backpack, gift card, school supply and financial contribution helps ease the burden on families and gives children the tools they need for a successful school year.”

(Both the Back-to-School and Afterschool Programs are 100% funded by community donations and contributions. To donate or learn more click here, call 203-341-1050, or email humansrv@westportct.gov

Every student needs a backpack.

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Speaking of children: The Westport Public Schools and Westport Weston Family YMCA are coordinating before- and after-school care for children in grades K-5.

The program offers STEM exploration, art, outdoor play, social-emotional learning, homework help and more. Flexible scheduling (2 to 5 days per week) is available.

Students in the Westport and Weston school districts are eligible for the after-school program (3 to 6 p.m.). The 7:30 to 9 a.m. before-school sessions are for Westport only. Transportation to and from schools is included.

Click here for more information, and registration.

Westport YMCA childcare.

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MoCA\CT re-opens today. The new exhibit — “Michael Borders: Connecticut Industry” — is a large-scale mural. Its 8 panels represent each of the state’s counties.   

The impressive work  joins Rick Shaefer’s “Colossi.” Both shows — part of the exhibition “Looking for History,” are on view through November 15. For more information, click here. 

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The best views of yesterday’s solar eclipse were in northern Europe.

But Franco Fellah made the most of it, at the Westport Astronomical Society’s Bayberry Lane observatory.

He sends this image, at the maximum point — approximately 35%, at 1:54 p.m. He notes, “These views of the sun are in what is called ‘white Light,’ visible to the human eye.”

(Photo/Franco Fellah)

Meanwhile — because “06880” is “Where Westport meets the world” — there was indeed a reader who traveled to Spain, in part for the eclipse.

Chris Grimm was near Burgos yesterday. He sends this image:

(Photo/Chris Grimm)

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Craig Melvin and and Lindsay Dzarniak’s support of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is strong and deep.

It continues next month. The Westport TV personalities are again hosting the Bottoms Up Invitational: a concert at Fairfield Theatre Company (Sunday, September 13, 5 p.m.) and celebrity golf tournament (Monday, September 14, Shorehaven Golf Club, Norwalk).

Melvin — co-host of “The Today Show,” sits on the Alliance’s board of directors. His brother died of colon cancer at 43 years old.

Click here to register for the event(s). For information on sponsorships, click here.

Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak (right) with “Today” colleagues Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer. at the 2024 Bottoms Up Invitational.

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“06880” and The Sandbar have warned recently about gulls stealing beachgoers’ food at Compo.

We’re not sure why folks leave food out like this:

(Photo/Laurie Weiser)

It’s hard enough keeping the birds away when there are people nearby.

When you leave it out in the open — well, FAFO.

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As obnoxious as gulls are, they’re not as gross and destructive as spotted lanternflies. (Though to be fair, the insects do not swoop down and take ice cream out of your hand.)

Another lanternfly infestation has begun. We’re not sure what this contraption — “spotted” outside the Westport Library — is.

But it sure looks like it’s working.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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Westport Police made 7 custodial arrests between July 29 and August 7.

A 28-year-old Westport man was charged with 5 counts of risk of injury to a child, interfering with an officer, disorderly conduct, 7 counts of violation of a protective order, assault, strangulation and unlawful restraint, after officers responded to a disturbance at a local residence. He had his hands around a victim’s throat, and refused officers’ command to disengage. He then physically resisted attempts to handcuff him. Five juveniles were present. All, and the victim, were protected parties by court order. He was unable to post a $150,000 bond.

A 36-year-old Hampton, New Hampshire man was charged with disorderly conduct, 6 counts of violation of a criminal protective order, and 7 counts of failure to appear, following an investigation into a June incident at the Delamar Hotel. A guest complained to staff about a loud argument in an adjacent room that turned physical. He left prior to officers’ arrival. Computer checks showed the victim had 6 court orders of protection. He was unable to post a $225,000 bond.

A 32-year-old Yonkers man was charged with larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny and risk of injury to a child, following an investigation into a theft of $3,157 worth of items from Ulta Beauty by someone accompanied by a young juvenile and an infant in a stroller. He was unable to post a $60,000 bond.

A 29-year-old North Bergen, New Jersey man was charged with larceny and identify theft, following an investigation into a May complaint that a personal check for $,608.34 had been intercepted, endorsed and cashed by an unknown party. He was identified, turned himself in, and released on a $5,000 bond.

A 31-year-old Woodbridge man was charged with larceny, and conspiracy to commit larceny, following an investigation into a February shoplifting incident of more than $297 worth of Ensure packages at Walgreens. He was unable to post a $10,000 bond.

A 40-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and risk of injury to a child, following a physical disturbance at which a juvenile was present. He was released on a $1,500 bond.

A 62-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct, following a verbal argument that then became physical. He was released on a $1,500 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

• Texting while driving: 20 citations
• Failure to renew registration: 10
• Failure to obey stop sign: 6
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5
• Failure to drive in the proper lane: 4
• Distracted driving: 3
• Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
• Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
• Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
• Reckless driving: 1
• Failure to grant half the highway: 1
• Failure to grant right of way: 1
• Unsafe backing: 1
• Unsafe movement of a stopped vehicle: 1
• Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
• Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
• Improper use of markers: 1

This may be the site of the most shoplifting incidents in Westport. Perpetrators are often caught.

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Staples High School Class of 2007 graduate, track athlete and former lifeguard Emily Langham Delangue died peacefully in her sleep on August 6.

She attended Washington University in St. Louis, first studying at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts before moving to the Olin Business School where she earned a BS in Business Administration in 2011. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, serving as rush chair her senior year.

After graduation, Emily began a career in advertising, at Discovery Communications and several agencies.

She married Clément Delangue in 2018, in Dourdan, France. They divorced amicably in 2023.

Emily moved to San Diego that year. She enrolled in a master’s program in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University, with plans to graduate this December.

She became a therapy trainee at Steppingstone of San Diego, a non-profit.

Emily was deeply involved in the 12-step program, where she found a meaningful and important community. She had nearly two years of sobriety when she passed away, an accomplishment of which she was very proud.

Her family says, “She was a remarkably talented and accomplished person with a rare ability to immerse herself in whatever captured her fancy. She played classical piano, painted vivid still-lifes and self portraits, created extraordinary works of food art, read tarot cards, and crafted whimsical floral displays. She also had a distinctive flair for fashion.

Emily pursued her too short life fully, embracing countless adventures. Those who knew and loved her often called her a wildflower — free-spirited, unconventional and beautifully her own.”

She is survived by her parents, Dana and Jim Langham; her brothers Wes (fiancée Emma Peters), and Jeremy (Madi Fogarty); grandmother Emilia; uncles Donald, Daniel (Chris Vatis), Douglas, David (Katie),Max (Sue) and Sam (Lauren); aunt Luann Jacobs (Matthew); many cousins, and her cat Eddie.

A celebration of Emily’s life will be held September 5 (11 a.m., Nordike Funeral Home, Carlyle Illinois). The service will be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Steppingstone of San Diego.

Emily Langham Delangue

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American oystercatchers are enjoying Burying Hill Beach.

Seth Schachter sends along today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, and this info.

“I believe these birds lay their eggs directly on the shore, typically above high tide line. They make a shallow dent in the sand or shell beds.  They don’t build a nest out of twigs or grass. Or maybe these guys are just looking for food.

:These are protected birds as well as being designated ‘species of high conservation concern’ by the US Shorebird Conservation Plan. They’re beautiful to see, regardless.”

(Photo/Seth Schachter)

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And finally … on this date in 1918, Opha May Johnson became the first woman to enlist in the US Marine Corps. She was 30 years old, and signed on as a reservist.

At the end of World War I the Marines (and all services) began to disenroll women from active service. They were allowed to join permanently as regular, active duty members beginning in 1948.

Beginning in 2016, military combat jobs became open to female Marines, permitting service in frontline infantry and combat roles.

(Semper fi! And speaking of faithful … please consider showing your faith in “06880” by clicking here, and supporting this hyper-local blog. Thank you!)