Category Archives: Staples HS

COVID-19 Roundup: Staples Class of 2020; Sherwood Island; Dr. Scott Gottlieb; Ron’s Barber Shop; More

Posted on April 20, 2020 | 3 comments

It’s increasingly unlikely that Staples High School seniors will have a traditional graduation. That includes everything from caps and gowns, to coming together as a class in the final weeks, reveling in each other’s achievements.

To stay connected and celebrate, a group of seniors created an Instagram account (@shsgrads2020). Everyone in the Class of 2020 is invited to direct message a baby picture, and post-graduate plans.

The admins will create a post, with information about what’s ahead and congratulations on their decision.

Seniors can also send any major achievements from this year — awards, accomplishments, whatever.

COVID-19 has taken away many things. But it can’t stop the spirit of Staples’ soon-to-be graduates!

Sherwood Island was busy yesterday — so busy that rangers turned people away. It was reopened later in the afternoon.

Most people practiced social distancing. Two state parks — Kent Falls and Seaside in Waterford — have already been closed, because of overuse and lack of social distancing.

This morning, Amy Schneider spotted members of the National Guard based in Connecticut, and representatives of the estate Department of Public Health, handing out essential equipment to nursing homes and emergency workers:

Meanwhile, the Compo Beach area was busy yesterday, with runners, walkers and joggers along South Compo, Hillspoint and Soundview. The sand itself wsa empty. Many people — though not all — practiced social distancing.

Over in Fairfield, Sasco Creek Beach closed weeks ago. However, a number of people yesterday broke the yellow caution tape, and parked there. Police cleared them out.

Compo Beach, earlier this spring. (Photo/Sarah Menninger)

Several times in the past few weeks, Westporter/former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb has appeared on Sunday morning talk shows.

Yesterday — newly appointed to President Trump’s Opening Our Country Council — he and publishing executive/former presidential candidate Steve Forbes appeared on the Ben Shapiro Show.

The hour-long “Sunday Special” format allowed Gottlieb to speak in depth about consequences of the lockdown, the risk of returning to work, the effectiveness of testing and contact tracing, how asymptomatic carriers affect others, and more.

Click below to view:

Ron Provenzano is the lively, talkative and very popular owner of a Westport barber shop, in the space previously occupied by Sally’s Place.

He’s the father of 6 — including newborn twins — and great friend to many. His shop is closed by the pandemic. He was unable to get a small business loan before that program’s funds ran out.

Currently, he’s $18,000 behind in rent. A GoFundMe page has been started to help Ron. Click here to donate.

Kim Penwell spotted this on the I-95 overpass, at the Sherwood Island Connector:

You’re never too old for Kermit.

He knows the importance of staying healthy. Rachel Halperin keeps him at home, reminding her constantly to be safe and stay positive.

And finally … back in 1967, Jim Morrison predicted the future:

BONUS WESTPORT CONNECTION: The back cover of the Doors’ “Strange Days” — released just 4 days after they played at Staples High School — featured model Zazel Wilde. She grew up across the street from me here, and had graduated from Staples a few years before. She’s on the left below, obviously.

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Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Environment, Local business, Staples HS

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COVID-19 Roundup: “A Chorus Line”; Virtual Bingo; More

Posted on April 19, 2020 | 7 comments

Everyone loves “A Chorus Line.” Especially anyone who’s ever been in it.

That includes Alisan Porter.

The former Staples High School actor/singer (and “Curly Sue” movie star, and “The Voice” winner) played Bebe in the Broadway revival of that epic show.

It closed in 2008. But 44 cast members leaped — literally — at the chance to dance in a video: “A Chorus Line in Quarantine.” From around the world — in living rooms, kitchens, on decks and apartment rooftops and in their yards and streets — they sent clips of themselves reprising the opening number.

The montage is amazing. And there — at the 1:46 mark — is our own Alisan. Enjoy! (Hat tip: Susan Thomsen)

One of the bright spots of the pandemic is the number of young people who are doing great things to help.

Staples High School student Natalie Bandura launched “Masks That Matter.” She and other teenagers sew washable, reusable homemade cotton masks, then distribute them to Westporters and others in need.

Whether you need a mask or want to help make them, click here. The website is clean and easy to navigate.

Natalie hopes to supply everyone in Westport who needs one with with a mask. Together, she says, “we can help flatten the curve here in town.”

Nearly a month ago, in the early days of the pandemic, a group of Westporters started a virtual bingo night. They play every Thursday, from across the country (all have Westport ties). The winner chooses a non-profit to get the buy-in pot.

So far, they’ve given away nearly $500. Last week’s winner picked the Gillespie Center. For more information, email Stan@witkow.com.

A scene from the Virtual Bingo game.

Meanwhile, Molly Alger notes that the Fine Wine Company in Compo Shopping Center offers this good-looking (and tasty) new mask:

Speaking of signs, Darcy Hicks felt compelled to post this in the house she’s self-isolating in with a lot of guys. Okay, they’re her husband and sons, but still…

And finally … we started today’s Roundup with a former Staples Players star. Here’s a song from another.

P!nk offers an inspiring version of “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman.” Which of course was written by 2003 graduate Justin Paul, and his partner Benj Pasek.

 

 

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Posted in Categories, Local business, Staples HS

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David’s Ring

Posted on April 18, 2020 | 12 comments

This story, Diane Silfen says, is like one of those amazing things that always happen to random strangers.

But — thanks to a random stranger — it happened to her.

Diane Silfen

Diane’s Westport roots are long and deep. Her mother, Elise Barnes, graduated from Staples High School in 1936. As Diane Haehl, she followed in 1965. So did her 2 siblings: David in 1969, and Janet 3 years after that.

Diane runs the Haehl Insurance Agency — the longtime family business — here. But she’s riding out the COVID-19 crisis at her Key West condo.

(It’s tough even there. With the beaches closed and the tourists gone, it’s like a ghost town.)

On Wednesday morning, Diane’s phone rang. The call was from Illinois. Suspecting a telemarketer, she almost did not answer.

For some reason though, she did.

The caller said, “I’m looking for Diane Silfen.”

“I’m Diane,” she replied.

He asked if Illinois or Colorado meant anything to her. No, she said.

The man said he and his wife once lived in Illinois; then they moved west. With time on their hands while self-isolating, they’d been going through storage boxes.

At the bottom of one was a Staples class ring, from 1969. It bore the initials “DWH.”

David Haehl, in the 1969 Staples High School yearbook.

“That’s my brother!” Diane said.

“I know,” the man replied.

“We know he’s deceased. We want you to have it.”

As Diane listened in astonishment, the man — she was too stunned to ask his name – described what happened after finding the ring.

He and his wife went online. They found Staples High School in Westport; tracked down the list of ’69 grads, and saw the name David William Haehl.

Researching further, they learned that he died 12 years ago. The obituary included his sister’s name. The couple plowed ahead, and found Janet.

How the ring ended up in the bottom of their box is a mystery. They asked Janet if David traveled a lot.

“He went everywhere — but only for scuba diving,” she said. That ruled out Illinois and Colorado.

The man said he’d sanitize the ring, put it in a box, and send it to Florida. Diane will give it — proudly, lovingly, amazingly — to her son Seth.

Seth Van Beever (right), his brother Baird, and their uncle David Haehl.

That is indeed the kind of story that usually happens to other people. But David seems to have led that kind of happy-coincidence life.

Diane noted that when he was in Westport, David never missed a Staples football game.

When he died, the family held a memorial service at Compo Beach. The high school band was there, practicing loudly.

Someone suggested asking them to stop for  a while.

“Of course not!” Diane replied. “It’s like they were playing there for him.”

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Posted in Local business, People, Staples HS, Totally random

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#ObamaCommencement2020: The Westport Connection

Posted on April 17, 2020 | 8 comments

It’s pretty clear that most American high school seniors will not have traditional graduations this year.

Caps and gowns, speeches, photos, the parties afterward — all will fall victim to COVID-19.

Searching for something to salvage, a senior named Lincoln thought: Why not ask Barack Obama to deliver a “national commencement address”?

On Tuesday he tweeted the former president. He added the hashtag #ObamaCommencement2020.

Then he watched his idea take off. As of last night, over 207,000 people had liked Lincoln’s tweet. It was retweeted over 41,000 times.

What makes this “06880”-worthy is that the student — Lincoln Debenham — is a former Westporter.

He lives now in Los Angeles, where he will graduate — with or without Obama — from Eagle Rock High School. But he’s got deep roots here.

He grew up here. He started at Staples High, before moving. Like his older brother Eli, he follows politics avidly.

(“06880” profiled Eli in 2016, when he helped run the phone banks for the Westport Democratic Town Committee. The next year, the entire Debenham family was featured, hosting their traditional Thanksgiving dinner for dozens of random people.)

Clockwise from top left: Eli, Lincoln and Matt Debenham, Caissie St. Onge.

But now Lincoln has snagged the national spotlight alone.

His message to Obama said: “Like most high school/college seniors, I’m saddened by the loss of milestone events, proms & graduation. In an unprecedented time, it would give us great comfort to hear your voice.

“We ask you to consider giving a national commencement speech to the class of 2020.”

The former president has not yet responded, though he was reported to be aware of the request. And flattered.

Meanwhile, national media picked up the story.

Lincoln told CNN that Obama is “someone who speaks for my generation. that’s what this is about. Hearing that voice of hope again.”

Like Lincoln Debenham, we’ve got our fingers crossed.

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Posted in People, Politics, Staples HS

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Coronavirus: A Social Worker Wonders

Posted on April 11, 2020 | 3 comments

Eve is a Staples High School graduate, now a social worker. That is considered an “essential” job — yet for now she is able to work from home. As she tries to make sense of “the intense feelings and questions this pandemic raises about what is truly essential,” she writes:

Why are social workers left out of conversations about individuals and work forces providing essential services related to COVID-19? Social workers are essential personnel, even though we don’t talk about their role and importance in the context of health workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

The outbreak has exacerbated social isolation, unemployment and underemployment, food insecurity, homelessness and house insecurity, stress and mental illness, along with familial changes related to illness and death.

Social workers are there.  At the same time, while I am proud to advocate with and for social workers, I grapple with what is essential at my unique workplace in this pandemic.

I know I am far from alone in worrying about the risk I am willing to take — and, for my particular job, whether working on the front lines requires being there in person at my organization. I marvel at the range of our reactions. As we adjust to this new “normal,” some of us assume superhero powers overnight, while others withdraw and are overwhelmed with the uncertainty of it all.

But why am I considered essential in the non-acute setting where I work? I am not keeping people alive.

I am hit by a wave of denial and aversion. I don’t mean to devalue the important work we do, but I struggle to believe my work as a vocational counselor is or should be considered “on the front lines” because at this time, I don’t serve folks in acute conditions.

Eve

I work with individuals with chronic mental illness, mostly “stabilized”  in a long-term residential setting. For them, staying physically in the group home is essential for their mental health recovery. There are few residents still at the program at this time, and the greatest need is staff to help with cleaning and cooking.

Meanwhile, I have been working tirelessly by surveying the needs of our community and rolling out virtual offerings that have reached far beyond the clients I worked with in-person pre-coronavirus.

We are learning to work with ambiguity in new ways. Fostering community and promoting their well-being during this time has been my number one priority — and I am confident in the multitude of ways I’ve been an ambassador of this from my self-quarantine.

Still, the fiscal pressures for this non-profit continue to grow. I am working remotely for now because I can fulfill my primary job duties remotely, but I could see potentially losing my position in the months to come.

I attended the annual American Group Psychotherapy Conference in New York. I stewed in my bedroom for 3 hours on March 2nd deciding whether to listen to my fiancé’s growing anxiety and cancel the trip, or simply exercise abundant caution during my week there.

I consulted my therapist, my professor and several others. By Friday I could not concentrate. I moved up my plans, squeezing in a lunch with my childhood best friend from Westport.

We did not hug. We talked about the virus briefly. I marveled at her belly for the first time, remembering how we dreamed of being pregnant at the same time.

Eve and her fiance, in less anxious times.

My anxiety was rapidly growing. I decided nor to attend the alumni dinner, the popular conference dance or luncheon on Saturday. I used a wipe to hold the subway pole, carried sanitizer in my purse throughout the week, avoided handshakes or hugs successfully.

I scurried through Grand Central, sensing a growing fear as if making eye contact with people would give me the virus. I could not have imagined that hundreds of group therapists around the world would be providing indefinite virtual support groups and telehealth for peers, patients, healthcare workers to cope with a range of difficulties.

On Wednesday I received an email informing 1,000 group therapists that numerous conference attendees tested positive. Dozens more were reporting symptoms in hundreds of emails on our list-serve (those from China could attend this year). It felt like the worst game of Bingo, reviewing the list of which workshops each person who tested positive had attended.

For now, I am privileged to feel safe in my home. Our new normal is anything but normal. In the face of COVID-19, we are all confronting our existential vulnerability, and the determination of personal responsibility (notwithstanding public health guidance) as we seek meaning and understanding of what is happening within and around us. Perhaps the silver lining may be that we are forced to grapple with ethical questions, our broken systems, and recognize our undeniable interconnectedness.

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Posted in Environment, Staples HS

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COVID-19 Roundup: Bell Ringing Tonight; Animals (And The Easter Bunny); Working Out, And More

Posted on April 8, 2020 | 10 comments

Last Wednesday, Westport thanked doctors, nurses and all frontline workers during the pandemic with our first “Ringing of the Bells.”

So many people had such a great noisy, community time that we’re doing it again. All Westporters are invited to join in today, from 5 p.m. to 5:02.

Church bells, musical instruments, pots, pans — whatever you’ve got to make noise is joyfully welcome.

Anne Lawton put together this video, featuring Greens Farms Church and many local participants. The former news anchor (Fox 5 New York, News 8 New Haven) appears at the end urging everyone to join in.

Besides bells, Americans are howling.

Staples High School 1979 graduate David Stalling reports from Missoula, Montana, where every night at 8 p.m. he hears large packs of people — and dogs — howling loudly. They (the humans) are doing it for the same reason others ring bells: to honor healthcare and other frontline workers.

“It’s strangely fun and therapeutic,” he says. “Get out and howl!” Here’s a video from Missoula:

Speaking of animals, “06880” readers have noted an increased number out and about. They’ve commented on how many birds are singing too.

Wendy Cusick reminds Westporters to keep all dogs on leashes. There are coyotes and skunks galore!

This may be Easter without filled churches. But kids can still have a bunny and a basket.

Aarti Khosla — the generous owner of Le Rouge Aartisan Chocolates — is creating 200 Easter baskets. Thanks to the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, the Easter bunny will stand on Church Lane at the turn-in by the Christ & Holy Trinity courtyard. Families can drive by, wave, and do a contactless basket pickup.

It’s 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday — first come, first served!

 

Of all the things I miss about life BC — before coronavirus — my daily swim at the Westport Y is near the top of the list.

I’ve substituted daily walks. In addition to far fewer endorphins, I’m limping around with a severely pulled calf muscle. (I’m not the only one. Several people told me of similar issues. Go figure.)

Normally I’d suck it up (and ice it). But without my daily exercise, I’d go batshit.

So I called EJ Zebro. The owner of TAP Strength Lab, he helps everyone from high school athletes to 80-somethings “move better through life.” I wanted to feel better (fast!), and reduce the likelihood of another idiotic overuse injury.

A guy like EJ is very hands-on. Of course, that’s the last thing he can do now. But he’s pivoted well. We FaceTimed. I showed him my calf; he showed me stretches and exercises, and patiently answered my questions. (Yes, I can bike.)

EJ is one small example of how our world has changed. TAP is one small but important business that’s figuring out how to continue to help, in new ways. It’s not easy — but I am very grateful that EJ is still around.

EJ Zebro

Sydney Newman turned 17 yesterday. The Staples High School student celebrated the new 2020 way: with a few friends, all properly distanced. Happy birthday, Sydney!

Everyone has something they miss about their old lives. Here’s Stephanie Bass’ contribution:

And finally, for all those celebrating Passover — and even those who are not:

(From Wikipedia: ‘”Dayenu’ is a song that is part of the Jewish holiday of Passover. The word ‘dayenu’ means approximately ‘it would have been enough,’ ‘it would have been sufficient’ or ‘it would have sufficed.’ This traditional upbeat Passover song is over 1,000 years old. The song is about being grateful to God for all of the gifts he gave the Jewish people, such as taking them out of slavery, giving them the Torah and Shabbat, and had God only given one of the gifts, it would have still been enough. This is to show much greater appreciation for all of them as a whole.”)

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Posted in Environment, Local business, Organizations, Sports, Staples HS

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Staples Tuition Grants Announces Covid-19 Community Challenge

Posted on April 7, 2020 | Comments Off on Staples Tuition Grants Announces Covid-19 Community Challenge

One month ago, Staples Tuition Grants was wrapping up its 2020 efforts.

For 77 years they’ve helped high school seniors — and graduates — close the gap between the cost of higher education, and what they could afford.

Applications were in. Interviews were scheduled. In June there would be a ceremony at which over 100 students would receive over $300,000 in grants.

Then the coronavirus pandemic struck. Suddenly, life got much tougher for Westporters. Loss of income was compounded by plunging portfolios — many of which included college funds.

In response to this urgent need, STG has partnered with a small group of generous donors. Together, they have pledged $50,000 to establish the STG COVID-19 Community Challenge.

Now they’re challenging Westporters — and Staples grads around the country — to meet (or exceed) an additional $50,000 in donations.  The goal is $100,000.

All funds raised in this campaign will go to this year’s STG student grant recipients. They’ll supplement whatever other grants will be awarded in June, for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

STG says:

You know our grant recipients. They are your neighbors, babysitters, camp counselors, lifeguards, baristas, and local restaurant and retail store staff.

Many lost those jobs — this summer and beyond — and live with a parent or grandparent who also lost income or college savings through this crisis. For most of our grant recipients, their ability to pursue or continue higher education this fall will be determined by the amount of financial aid they receive in the next few weeks.

The STG COVID-19 Community Challenge is your opportunity to help! If you have a current college student receiving a refund on tuition, room and board, please consider donating a portion to this effort. If you planned to attend a fundraiser or charity event this spring that was canceled, please consider directing part of what you had planned to give to this challenge.

This is our opportunity as a strong and united community to show Staples graduates attending college next year that Westport supports them.

Click here to donate to the STG Covid-19 Community Challenge. STG also accepts checks, made out to “Staples Tuition Grants” and sent to PO Box 5159 , Westport, CT 06881-5159. Include your name as you’d like it to appear, your address and email, and write “Community Challenge” in the memo field.

A highlight of the annual Staples Tuition Grants ceremony is when recipients meet people with a fund named after a loved one. Several years ago Dr. Al Beasley posed with Megumi Asada, who received the Dr. Jean Beasley Award. Megumi has gone on to a career in medicine.

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Photo Challenge #275

Posted on April 5, 2020 | 12 comments

You’ve got 2 choices as you turn from Compo Beach Road into the main entrance. (We’re talking about the pre-, and hopefully post-, coronavirus days.)

You can look right, into the entrance drive between the basketball courts and playground.

Or you can look left.

Most people are intent on getting into the beach. But the view to the left is of Craig “Doc” Davidson’s house.

It’s a handsome old beach house — recently flood-raised — on the corner of Bradley Street.

And there — on the chimney — is the anchor that was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)

Some Westporters thought it was at Ned Dimes Marina. But Pat Saviano, Lyne Kiedaisch, Diane Silfen, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Brian Duchan, Jonathan McClure and Mary Ann Batsell all knew it belongs solely to Doc.

Who is he?

Doc is a 1970 Staples High School graduate. He’s a realtor. And a documentary filmmaker. (His nickname came long before that career.)

In addition to his wonderful chimney, Doc owns the most interesting fence in Westport.

The inner side — visible only to Doc and his guests — is a fantastic, faithful mural rendering of Ebbets Field. You can read about it (and see it) here.

Doc is a huge baseball fan. One of his films is about the great Satchel Paige. Click here for that story.

Now that you know everything about the chimney, the house, and the man who lives there, it’s time to play ball.

With this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Dick Lowenstein)

 

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Posted in People, Photo Challenge, Sports, Staples HS

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COVID-19 Roundup: Student Theater And Art; Medical Heroes; Baseball, Masks, More

Posted on April 4, 2020 | 3 comments

The Westport Country Playhouse is dark. But it lights up on both Facebook and the Playhouse’s own YouTube channel on Friday, April 17 (7 p.m.).

It shines with Westport’s own Kelli O’Hara, and 10 randomly selected Fairfield County High School students. They’ll chat with the Broadway star, and perform musical theater selections.

Students can click here between tomorrow (Sunday, April 5, 10 a.m.) and Wednesday (April 8, 10 a.m.). Upload a video of yourself performing any musical theater song.

In addition to the 10 students chosen, 10 “understudies” will be selected to submit a question for Kelli to answer during the show.

“I’m a firm believer in the healing magic of the arts,” the Tony Award-winning (“The King and I”) actor says. Most recently, she earned a Tony nomination for “Kiss Me, Kate.”

All videos submitted will be featured in a compilation, released on Playhouse social media channels. For more information, email education@westportplayhouse.org.

(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

First “06880” encouraged Westport students to do artwork while they’re home from school.

Now Friends of Westport Public Art Collections is doing the same. Here’s the hook: If your work is accepted by Friends, it will be featured in the public schools’ 2020-21 calendar.

Submissions can be new — or something already painted, drawn, photographed or digitally created. Click here for details.

Many people have seen this photo from Yale New Haven Health. Front line personnel are pleading with everyone to keep physical distance.

But you may not know that the nurse in the far left of the front row is Nick Kiedaisch. The 2012 Staples High School graduate — and varsity baseball star — is among the medical heroes. Let’s do all we can to make his and his colleagues’ jobs easier. (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)

Lifelong Westporter Deborah Johnson is a well-known designer and decorator, with her own drapery business.

Over the years she has assembled plenty of extra fabric. Now she’s using it to make face masks. If you’d like to help, or know someone in great need, email wsptgirl@yahoo.com. (Hat tip: Steve Crowley)

Speaking of masks: Yesterday’s Roundup story on Virginia Jaffe’s project raised immediate funds, delivered 4 sewing helpers — and brought a request from the director of STAR Lighting the Way. Today, Virginia and her crew are donating 80 masks for their staff. Well done!

Virginia Jaffe, in her workroom

It’s looking increasingly unlikely that the spring high school sports season will happen.

That’s devastating news to hundreds of Staples athletes — and hundreds of thousands more across the country.

Which brings up this local/national news: In a just-released preseason poll, the National High School Baseball Coaches Association ranked the Wreckers 31st, in the entire country.

They’re defending state champions. But they may never get their chance to defend their title.

They might also lose the opportunity to see how much further they’d climb in the rankings. Normally at this time of year, anticipation and excitement would be high.

Opening day was supposed to have been today.

Instead of “Play ball!” it’s “Keep away!”

So right now, guys, we’re sorry. Congratulations on being #31 in the nation will have to suffice. (Hat tip: Vince Kelly)

And finally, what’s Saturday without a dance party?

C’mon! It’s time to throw down. Nobody’s watching! And even if they are …

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Posted in Arts, Children, Environment, Sports, Staples HS, Westport Country Playhouse

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Special Staples “Seussical” Streams This Weekend

Posted on April 3, 2020 | 8 comments

The coronavirus put an abrupt end to countless events. Many were months in the making.

But few came to a more crushing close than “Seussical: The Musical.”

Over 100 Staples Players cast and crew members prepared for the spring production since December. Just 2 days before opening night, Westport schools closed.

Sets, choreography, lighting, music — poof! It all vanished, into the infectious air.

Seussical” is fun …

Fortunately, Players videotaped the Tuesday night rehearsal show, performed before an audience of 100 parents.

Tomorrow (Saturday, April 4, 7 p.m.) and Sunday (April 5, 2 p.m.), Players will broadcast that now-historic recording.

Anyone who bought tickets to any of the scheduled performances will receive an email link on Saturday to the livestreams. Intermission features special video appearances by former Players, all now involved in the arts.

But — in typically creative Players fashion — you don’t have to have had a ticket to see this “Seussical.”

The organization set up a GoFundMe page. Though a few staff stipends are paid by the town, the rest of the award-winning program is funded almost entirely by ticket sales.

… for all ages. (Photos/Kerry Long)

They pay for lumber, paint, lighting equipment purchase and rental, costume construction and rental, props, set designers, sound equipment and microphone rental, pit musicians’ salaries, makeup, wigs — and much, much more.

An average show — though Players are far from “average” — costs well over $50,000 to produce.

That’s a lot of money. But it’s also an amazing educational experience for hundreds of Staples students. Plus of course, a wonderful treat for the community.

Players has been on solid financial ground for over 15 years. Because of sellout audiences and great support from Westporters, they consistently recouped the money they spent. They seldom ask much financially from the community.

Now — having lost the opportunity both to produce “Seussical,” and benefit financially from it — they’re asking for help.

The Players know: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

This weekend, we can smile along with them. How lucky we all are that the one performance happened.

(Want a special “Seussical” preview? Click here!)

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Staples HS, Teenagers

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