Posted onJuly 15, 2024|Comments Off on “06880” Podcast: Tom Scarice
I always enjoy chatting with Tom Scarice.
Westport’s superintendent of schools is straightforward, insightful, articulate and on-target.
He does not shy away from controversy. He understands there are many sides to every story. He backs up what he says with facts, along with relatable stories and anecdotes.
Scarice’s recent visit to “06880: The Podcast” did not disappoint.
He tackled an important, contentious topic — cellphones in schools — with clarity and honesty. He offered plenty of ideas, from a wide variety of angles, while acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
Scarice knows that many discussions lie ahead: in schools and district offices; at Board of Education and PTA meetings, and on this blog.
Our conversation at the Westport Library is a great start. Click below to listen, and learn:
Congratulations to Westport’s newest world record holder.
And our oldest.
Yesterday afternoon, Norma Minkowitz set an 85-89-year-old age group mark in the mile.
The longtime Westporter ran a 9:46.55, at the Nutmeg Games in New Britain.
That’s not just a new world record. Norma demolished the old one — by over a minute. The previous fastest mile — 10:55.25 — stood since 2015.
Norma is certainly a great, and inspiring, athlete. But she’s much more — including a world renowned fiber art artist. Click here for a 2019 profile of our remarkable neighbor.
Jeff Mitchell — who filmed Norma’s race (above) — interviewed the world record holder too. Also in the clip below: David Wright (owner of Westport’s Fleet Feet) and Jesse McCray (Nutmeg Games meet director, and also head coach of the Staples High School girls track and field program.
And finally … on this date in 1881, American outlaw and gunfighter Billy the Kid was killed, after allegedly committing 21 murders. He was 21 years old.
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By January 5, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Matisse Thybulle had blocked 19 non-paint shots. That season total was more than the entire New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets teams — combined!
If that paragraph makes your eyes glaze over — or the first sentence sends you scurrying to Google Translate, to figure out its meaning in English — then you are not an NBA fanatic.
But there are enough of those folks around to provide work for Tom Haberstroh.
The 2004 Staples High School graduate (and former Wrecker basketball star) is a leader in the sports analytics world. Last fall, he parlayed his passion and background — which included Jen Giudice’s AP Statistics course, and the strong influence of math teacher Rich Rollins — into a job as “analytics insider” for the Trail Blazers’ broadcast team.
And now — less than a year after signing on — he parlayed that into an Emmy Award.
Tom Haberstroh’s Emmy.
The Blazers’ broadcasters won for Best Live Sporting Event in the Pacific Northwest. It was based on their coverage of a game against Dallas last December.
Haberstroh augments the work of play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro, analyst Lamar Hurd and sideline reporter Brooke Olzendam, (“They’re second to none,” he praises).
He appeared before, during and after 81 of the squad’s 82 games (he missed one with the flu). Haberstroh served up a steady diet of important, arcane, overlooked, over-hyped and odd individual and team statistics — and then broke them down.
In an entertainingly informative way, he tells viewers not only what is going on, statistically speaking, but why. And why it matters.
Or doesn’t. (Click here, to see or a sample of Haberstroh’s work.)
Trail Blazer fans, coaches and front office are appreciative. So, obviously, were the Emmy judges.
But here’s a surprising stat: Haberstroh did it all from a studio in his Charlotte, North Carolina home.
(Except, of course, for when the Trail Blazers played at the Hornets’ Spectrum Center. He was courtside then.)
Tom Haberstroh, when the Trail Blazers played in Charlotte.
Covering a Pacific Northwest team from the East Coast makes for some very long nights.
Earlier in his career, Haberstroh was a national NBA insider for NBC Sports Regional Networks. He spent 8 years writing for ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Insider, and ESPN.com, while making television appearances as an NBA analytics expert.
He joined Bleacher Report in 2017, where he won an Associated Press Sports Editors Award for feature writing.
Now — statistically speaking — he is at the top of his game.
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Every Main Street landlord (and their tenant) is responsible for cleaning the sidewalk in front of their property.
Once a week, a town street sweeper clears the road.
That’s it.
If you’re wondering why parts of downtown look a bit grotty, there’s your answer.
But if you’ve noticed a change recently, there’s a reason.
Dylan Curran.
The 2020 Staples High School graduate is the first “Downtown Ambassador.” That’s the new position created by the Westport Downtown Association, in collaboration with the town’s Department of Human Services.
Since May, Dylan has been responsible for keeping Main Street clean. But he’s also the WDA’s public face, bringing smiles to shoppers and shop owners with his broad smile and optimistic attitude.
Dylan Curran: Looking good, while making Westport look good.
The project is part of Westport’s Employment is for Everyone” (E4E) program. A collaboration between the town and its Commission People with Disabilities, the goal is encourage and support local businesses to recruit, hire and advance people with disabilities, while creating a disability-friendly, inclusive culture throughout Westport.
The Downtown Ambassador program is funded by the Westport Downtown Association.
Every Monday and Friday, Dylan patrols Main Street. Armed with a bucket and trash stick, he gets right to work.
“It gives individuals a chance for employment, and there’s no better stage for that than downtown,” says WDA president Maxxwell Crowley.
“Everyone sees how hard-working, dedicated and personable someone like Dylan is, and how much he cares for the town. He’s already become a familiar face.”
From left: Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley, Downtown Ambassador Dylan Curran, WDA operations employee Sean, and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. She connected Crowley with Human Services director Elaine Daignault, for the E4E program.
The WDA might add another day to the schedule, and hire at least one more Downtown Ambassador.
“It’s a win-win-win,” Crowley says.
Main Street looks much better. Dylan has a job he enjoys. And everyone who sees the ambassador — working hard and smiling — smiles right back.
(Every day, “06880” brings you hyper-local news, about the people, places and events that make our town special. If you enjoy these stories, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The 11th annual “06880” blog party is Thursday, July 25. From 6 p.m. until dark, everyone in our community — online and real — is invited to Compo’s South Beach.
It’s a very casual, very fun, bring-your-own-food-and-drink event. Meet old friends; make new ones; watch the sun set, and enjoy a summer evening with people drawn together by this hyper-local blog. See you there!
Three days later — on Sunday, July 28— we’re back at Compo, for the 1st-ever Soundview Stroll.
Co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association, this event builds on the fun and community spirit we all feel at the fireworks, when the beach exit road is closed.
Thanks to the cooperation of Parks & Rec and the Westport Police, the street will be shut again. Enjoy live music; kids’ activities like face painting and balloon-making; a photo booth; food trucks — and plenty of room for walking, biking, rollerblading, and the best street scene east of Venice, California.
It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the “06880” blog party, and the Soundview Stroll. See you at both!
Human youngsters can snuggle with baby goats at Wakeman Town Farm in small-group, half-hour sessions. Click here for tickets, and more information.
But that’s not the only “kids” activities at WTF.
A cooking camp — covering the basics, and promising fun — runs July 29 through August 1 (12:30 to 3 p.m.). Click here for registration, and more details.
“Little Farmers: Parent & Me” hands-on experiences for 0-3-year-olds are planned for July 29, 30 and 31 (2 to 3 p.m.). Click here to register, and learn more.
Everyone is invited to the July 13 Family Fun Day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The event includes games, music, food, crafts and more. Click here for tickets, and a full schedule.
And of course, the Wakeman Town Farm farm stand is open every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s your spot for organic produce, microgreens, honey, flower, and rotating local artisanal products including organic coffee, bread, pastries, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars and salsas.
To break through the clutter though, a podcaster needs an angle.
Maxwell Valencia and Henry Morrison have theirs: “careers for kids.”
If you think that’s not exactly unique, consider this: They are kids themselves.
The friends are rising 8th graders at Coleytown Middle School. They’re a few years away from careers, but they’ve gotten a head start by asking adults in a variety of jobs to talk about what they do, what they like about it, and how they got where they are.
This being Westport, they’ve lined up some interesting folks to talk about careers.
They’ve chatted with Congressman Jim Himes and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, along with an aerospace engineer, financial advisor, Westport police lieutenant and fire marshal, and the New York Knicks’ high performance coach.
None of the men or women talk down to the youngsters. They answer in depth, and seem to enjoy talking about their work.
(I particularly enjoyed hearing Himes say that he prefers calling himself a “representative,” as opposed to a “congressman.”)
The website is aimed at middle and elementary school students. But it’s available at nearly every podcast outlet — and on this website.
So — no matter how old you are, or what your job is — you can hear it too.
Maxwell Valencia and Henry Morrison interview 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, in her office.
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Interior designer Jared Frank is a 2002 graduate of Staples High School, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Based now in California, his clients include musician Reggie Watts, actor Matthew Gubler and filmmaker Jon Watts.
The other day, the Los Angeles Times featured his $150,000 renovation of a home in Van Nuys. It includes an 18-foot, custom-built couch (Frank is also a furniture designer). Click here to read the full story.
Dwell Magazine featured the same project. Click here to see.
And finally … on this date in 1947, reports were broadcast that a UFO crash-landed in Roswell, New Mexico. Reports of the incident — and a purported cover-up by the US government — persist today.(
(“06880” — your hyper-local blog — relies on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Band director at Staples High School is one of the most important — and most visible — positions in town.
Phil Giampietro resigned this spring. He accepted a similar position at Hall High School-West Hartford, closer to his Cheshire home.
His place will be taken by Kevin Mazzarella. A press release says:
“Following interviews with a number of exemplary band directors, Kevin emerged as the unanimous choice of our students and Staples staff. He instantly connected with the students and brings to our program a unique blend of energy, warmth, and outstanding musical talent.
“Kevin was recently named Coventry Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2024, where he taught Middle School Band for the past 3 years. Previously, at Cutler Middle School in Groton, he earned the 2018 Teacher of the Year award and was a quarter-finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Under his leadership, the Cutler Jazz Band was selected as a Showcase Ensemble at the 2020 CMEA Conference.”
Mazzarella is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. He holds masters’ degrees in music education from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and educational technology from the University of Saint Joseph. He completed his graduate certificate in trumpet performance from the University of Connecticut in 2023.
His extensive performance credits span genres from jazz to early music
His previous principal Ross Sward, a former music educator, calls him “one of the best music teachers I’ve ever known.”
Despite morning clouds, it did not take long for the Sherwood Island State Park parking lot to fill up yesterday.
That happens on holiday, and/or hot, days.
But what happened next was new: Drivers pulled to the side of the Connector — and both sides of Greens Farms Road. There were vehicles all the way to the commuter lot.
They parked, picked up their chairs, coolers and umbrellas, and walked to Sherwood Island.
(Photo/John Karrel)
There were even cars on the I-95 exit ramp. A sign there said it was “closed to walkers.”
We see a lot of different types of watercraft off Compo Beach, from jet skis to mega-yachts.
Outrigger canoes — not so much.
But there was one yesterday, off South Beach. The Ke Aloha stopped by, on its way from New Jersey to Milford. From there it will trailer the boat to Gloucester, Massachusetts, to complete in the Blackburn Challenge Race.
During his 50-plus years in Westport, Paul Newman was everywhere in town.
We saw him in supermarkets, shops and restaurants. He and his wife Joanne Woodward handed out popcorn at the Westport Historical Society. He picked up hitchhikers (including me, 3 times).
Newman’s daughter Melissa is a giver in her own right. For 20 yeas, she volunteered at a woman’s prison.
She was casual friends with a social worker there. More than a decade ago, he handed her the gift.
It was a framed poster of her father. Looking straight at the camera — and pointing sternly — the young actor urged all “Young Citizens for Johnson” to register to vote.
Melissa had never seen that poster. “It was one of the best presents I ever got,” she says. She hung it on her kitchen wall. It’s been there ever since.
Four years ago, Melissa’s friend Miggs Burroughs helped change the message to “Research. Register. Vote.” Melissa put that message — with her father’s pointed finger — on t-shirts.
Now she’s doing it again.
As in 2020, she wants the message to be non-partisan. Besides, LBJ is no longer on the ballot.
Click here to order a short- or long-sleeve Paul Newman/Vote t-shirt. There’s also a link in Melissa’s Instagram bio (@melissamudandmusic).
It’s not only non-partisan — it’s non-profit. Melissa will donate $5 from every sale to The Civics Center. The non-profit promotes voting and civics education for young people.
So far, she’s given given them $1,250.
The ordering deadline is July 31. They’ll be ready the last week in August.
With plenty of time left to wear them. And to register, and vote.
For thousands of Westporters, yesterday’s menu was as as American as it gets: burgers and hot dogs.
But as our “Westport … Naturally” photo shows, others opted for fish:
(Photo/Seth Goltzer)
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And finally … on this date in 1996, Dolly the Sheep — the first mammal cloned from an adult cell — was born. It was a mammary gland cell, and whe was named after Dolly Parton.
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But what about American oystercatchers, the bird species whose nesting area is roped off and protected just west of the Compo Beach cannons? What happens when hundreds of people descend on the area for the pyrotechnics — which then go BOOM! for a solid half hour?
Jess Esposito Halka posted this yesterday, on Facebook’s “Westport Front Porch” page:
Please try to keep at least a 25-foot buffer along the fenced nesting area, so that staff are able to move freely around the fenced area to monitor the birds before and during the event.
Nothing should hang, hover or lean against or over the fencing. If something accidentally blows into the area and you need to retrieve it, please locate an Audubon staff member to retrieve the item.
“The area behind the nesting area (closer to the sidewalk) is still a safe place to set up. But please keep space between your belongings and the fence for staff and other attendees to walk by along the outside of the fence.
“Please avoid walk through the water below the fence.
“Thank you all so much for your extra efforts this season. It has made a significant difference.
This nesting pair of American oystercatchers are the only successful mainland breeders in the entire state this season, with 1 healthy 3-week-old chick!” (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Protect our American oystercatchers! (Photo/Jess Esposito Halka)
Thirteen years ago, People Magazine covered the marriage of actress Eva Amurri and Kyle Martino, the 1999 Staples High School graduate/former US men’s national team player.
The couple moved to Westport and had 3 children, but divorced 5 years ago.
Now People has covered her second marriage. This weekend, Amurri — the daughter of Susan Sarandon, who is also a lifestyle blogger and still lives here — married chef Ian Hock, in the Hudson Valley.
Hey! Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows the side that’s supposed to be recycled. Not the one you’re using!
(Photo/Robert Mitchell)
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And finally … Kinky Friedman — the singer/humorist/quasi-politician best known for his band, the provocatively named Texas Jewboys — died Thursday near Austin. He was 79, and suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
The large Longshore lap pool was supposed to open around Memorial Day. An issue with the filter delayed that date.
The goal was to have it fixed by Monday, June 24, when pool hours expanded and lessons began.
Bingo! It’s back in action — and getting plenty of use, by grateful swimmers. (hat tip: Brandon Malin)
Longshore pool. (File photo/Pamela Einarsen)
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Leslye Headland is headed to Broadway.
The 1999 Staples High School graduate — who has earned kudos as a playwright, screenwriter and director, with hits like the play and film “Bachelorette,” the movie “Sleeping With Other People” the Netflix comedy “Russian Doll” and the Disney+ series “The Acolyte” — has written “Cult of Love.”
It begins previews November 20, and opens at the Helen Hayes Theater on December 12.
Her Broadway debut is her final work in a series called “Seven Deadly Plays.” Inspired by the 7 deadly sins, this one is about pride. It was first staged in Los Angeles in 2018.
“Cult of Love” focuses on 4 adult children of one family and their partners, coming home for a contentious holiday gathering. (Hat tip: Tommy Greenwald)
Leslye Headland
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Just hours after her birth 9 weeks prematurely in June of 2022, Shea Greenfield’s heart stopped beating.
Doctors saved her life. But she was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. Her heart’s electrical system takes longer than usual to recharge between beats. She is at risk of fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death.
There is no cure for the condition. And Shea’s condition is one of the most severe her doctors have ever seen.
Shea’s parents, Mark and Kira, had moved to Westport a year earlier. In addition to educating themselves about LQTS, they began raising funds for the Mayo Clinic, where Dr. Michael Ackerman’s team does cutting-edge research.
Last year, the Greenfields organized a fundraiser. Despite a last-minute venue change from outdoors, due to Canadian wildfires — “Shake it for Shea” raised $290,000 for Dr. Ackerman’s lab.
That was just the start. This year’s event — held earlier this month at the FTC Warehouse — was eye-popping. It brought in over $440,000.
“The community came out in such a special way again,” the Greenfields say.
“We had over 500 people. It was magical!”
Plans are already underway for next year. Can you say “half a million”?
Shaking it up, at the “Shake it for Shea” fundraiser. (Photo/Fred Marcus Photography)
Westport poet laureate Jessica McEntee is going national.
Her second poetry chapbook, “Frida Kahlo Wakes Up to Find Diego Rivera in the Mood and Other Poems,” will ship in mid-October.
A blurb says: “This book brims with restless women: Frida Kahlo, Penelope, a lover, mother, daughter, neighbor, insomniac, consumer, adulteress — and each voice ‘magics the glass into mirror.’
“Studded with details that feel intimate yet alien, taking us places that range from a polar bear enclosure to ‘A Deathbed Confession,’ these are poems of uncanny sensuousness.”
Pianist David Morgan is a local treasure — and a national one.
He has performed and recorded with Wynton Marsalis and Wes Anderson. He’s written music for CBS Sports, Discovery, A&E, MTV, and TV shows. He also produces recordings for artists in his own studio.
Morgan is well known here as a member of the Fairfield County-based jazz group Portal.
He joins bassist Jason Clotter, Tyger MacNeal and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” for tomorrow’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, June 27, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service at 7; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; $20 music cover, $15 veterans and students).
The series’ season finale includes a presentation of the Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship to Jack Wood.
Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Last week, Newman’s Own launched a “Pay What You Want” Pizza truck.
All proceeds go to the Newman’s Own Foundation, which gives 100% of its profits to help children facing adversity.
The first stop was New York City. It will travel across the country all summer long, offering several varieties of Newman’s Own pizzas.
Today it’s Westport’s turn.
That’s particularly fitting. The non-profit has been headquartered here since 1982, ever since its founding by our own Paul Newman and his family.
The Pay What You Want Pizza truck will be at Newman’s Own’s office (1 Morningside Drive North, just north of the Post Road) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today (Tuesday). From 3 to 6 p.m., it’s on Main Street (close to the Post Road).
There was plenty of emotion Sunday afternoon, at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The Susan Fund held its 43rd annual reception — and awarded 18 college grants to Fairfield County residents.
All have been diagnosed with cancer.
“They have, in addition to medical bills, the college bills, which are just enormous,” says Jeff Booth, Susan Fund chair.
“So whatever financial support we can give them is a huge help.”
Some of the Susan Fund recipients honored on Sunday.
Also honored: Ann Lloyd.
The Susan Fund founder and chair emerita was presented with a birthday cake. At 90, she is still actively involved with the non-profit.
The Susan Fund was established in 1980 in memory of her daughter Susan Lloyd, a Staples High School graduate who lost her battle with cancer. Since its founding, the organization has provided over $2 million in scholarships to more than 900 students.
To learn more about the Susan Fund, and to donate, click here.
Ann Lloyd. The podium is covered with photos and letters from Susan Fund recipients.
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“06880” likes to post good news, whenever we can.
Like us, Jaime Bairaktaris knows there are many young people who do good things that go unnoticed. And that their parents never see.
Yesterday, he wrote on social media:
“Did your son and his friend go to Old Mill Grocery & Deli a bit ago?
“As I ordered my lunch, 2 ‘tweenage’ boys walked in. One went to get Peanut M&Ms, but immediately stopped to ask his friend if he had any allergies. The friend said no, so he grabbed his M&Ms.
“They went to the counter, ordered politely, paid with cash, counted their change, then made sure they both put money into the tip jar — stopping each other to make sure that they tipped.
“No phones, no TikTok dances, no skibidi Ohio rizzing. As often as I see negative posts about local kids doing dumb things, I hope the parents of these kids see this and know their sons did a great job of showing everyone in the deli that Westport’s future is just fine.
“Not to mention how well raised they were (to confirm allergies for their friend, and count change?!). In the words of TikTok-era youth: they were very sigma.
“I can only hope they never roll through a stop sign when they get their licenses.”
An old favorite — First Folk Sunday — returns next month.
But the venue is different.
The series — afternoons of music in a relaxed, mellow atmosphere — kicks off July 7 (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) at its new home: the Saugatuck Rowing Club.
Suzanne Sheridan (vocals, rhythm guitar), Tim DeHuff (lead guitar) and Bob Cooper (keyboard) offer a Bob Dylan retrospective.
The season continues with rising folk star singer-songwriter Lisa Bastoni (August 4), a Joni Mitchell tribute with Suzanne Sheridan (September 1), the return of The Flying Fingers Jug Band (October 6(, a Woody Guthrie homage featuring many performers and an audience sing along (November 3), and a special event December 3.
The music cover charge is $15; click here for tickets. An a la carte menu and open bar is available for audience members. For more information, click here or call 203-984-7562.
Meanwhile, a reminder: Westport’s streets don’t clean themselves.
This machine was out yesterday on Bayberry Lane, sweeping up debris.
There’s not a lot of room to walk, jog, bike, skateboard or do anything else.
But thanks to our Public Works Department, it’s a lot less dangerous today than yesterday.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
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The first heat wave of the summer has ended. It may be cool enough for Harbor Road residents to venture outside, and sit in these chairs looking out toward Longshore.
It’s an idyllic summer scene. And the reeds make it a great candidate for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … in honor of Paul Newman’s “Pay What You Want” pizza truck, we remember the actor/philanthropist:
(Whether you lived here when Paul Newman did, or you just came yesterday, “06880” is your hyper-local blog. We rely on support from all our readers. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Yesterday, “06880” reported that Rye Ridge Deli was closing. A new place called 15 9 Main would take over.
In fact, Rye Ridge’s Westport location was sold to new owners in February. They have operated since, with a 4-month agreement to use the Rye Ridge name.
That’s ended. It is now officially 159 Main. It is open as usual.
Meanwhile, Rye Ridge’s 2 other locations — in Stamford and Rye Brook, New York — remain open under that name.
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However, there is definitely a vacancy in Compo Acres Shopping Center.
Row House — whose 25 erg (rowing) machines once hummed with activity, with people of all ages seeking a strong workout — has closed its doors.
Row House began in New York’s Columbus Circle in 2014. The Westport location opened 5 years later.
With the closing of Westport, the nearest location is Stamford.
Did you miss Staples High School’s 137th graduation ceremony this month?
Were you there, but want to relive it?
Jim Honeycutt — who retired after many years as a teacher, including director of the media lab — has posted the entire event online.
NOTE: Sharp-eared viewers will note that the “Pomp and Circumstance” processional music in the video is not the same as was played that day.
Staples now uses a recording, which is blocked by YouTube. Honeycutt substituted music played by the Staples band, back when they performed at fieldhouse graduations.
Yesterday morning, 25 people from Saugatuck Congregational Church left for this year’s high school youth group mission trip. They’ll help Vermont residents recover from last year’s floods that devastated the state.
20 youth and 5 leaders will work on farms, assemble furniture, clean up areas in need, and meet people affected by the disaster.
The Saugatuck Church youth group is open to all students entering, in, or just graduated from high school. Attendance at Saugatuck Church or Staples High is not required.
Heading north: Saugatuck Church youth group. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Since his birth, Wakeman Town Farm has fostered an orphaned baby goat.
“Stuart Little” has now found a home. Time Out Foundation of Lakeville — a horse rescue/sanctuary that runs a free therapeutic program for children — adopted him.
Stuart Little and friend.
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Speaking of animals: After 4 years of hibernation, Sunny the Duck is back on Jesup Green.
The much-larger-than-life waterfowl advertises the Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Great Race.
It’s this Saturday (June 29), at Jesup Green.
The fun begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with activities like Nerdy Derby, pin making, face painting, bubble machines, duck pond giveaway and more (plus food trucks!).
The duck race starts at 1 p.m. Thousands of plastic ducks are dropped from a giant front loader, down a 160-foot long sluice course on Jesup Green.
Each duck has a number, matching a $20 raffle ticket. The first 10 ducks across the finish line win money for their ticket holders. First place gets $5,000, second place $1,000, while the next 8 earn $500 awards.
All the fun is for a great cause. Sunrise Rotary donates the proceeds to local and international charities.
Tickets can be purchased online at westportsunriserotary.org, or from any Westport Sunrise Rotarian at any time — including the morning of the event.
Wendy Krueger — daughter of Ralph Krueger, for whom Little Ralphie is named — checks out her father’s namesake with Bruce Paul, Sunrise Rotary’s Great Duck Race chair.
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