If you drove around Westport last weekend, you may have noticed an unusual number of high school boys weeding, planting, mulching, painting, cleaning and picking up garbage.
What a bunch of SLOBs.
That’s the great acronym for Staples’ Service League Of Boys. One of the most popular clubs at the high school, it’s a way for boys — and their parents — to join together in community service.
From Friday to Sunday — during the group’s annual Service Weekend — SLOBs and their parents contributed hundreds of hours of work to our town, at 20 different venues and events.
Service Weekend began Friday afternoon. Members packed supplies to donate to the Wilbur Cross School.
It also marked the beginning of SLOBs’ relationship with the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston, and Jim Marpe’s philanthropy team.
SLOBs and Y’s men, working together.
The weekend tended Sunday evening, with a clean-up of the town’s soccer fields.
Other highlights included:
Spring maintenance at Wakeman Town Farm
Clean-Up Westport, with Andrew Colabella and the Westport Police union
Trout Unlimited
Blau Gardens clean-up
Quest for Peace
Person to Person
Compo Beach clean-up
Westport baseball fields and tennis courts
Community Fun Day at Saugatuck Elementary School
Minute Man 5K
Westport Downtown Association’s spring cleaning
Spring cleaning and mulching at A Better Chance of Westport’s Glendarcy House (thanks to a generous donation from Gault Energy)
SLOBs, at ABC’s Glendarcy House.
Staples students have busy schedules. They play sports and music; they’re in Players and clubs. They have tons of homework. Advanced Placement tests are looming. Fortnite beckons.
But there they were this past weekend: proudly wearing their SLOBs shirts, hard at work, making our town look better and contributing to our sense of community.
(You can follow Staples’ Service League of Boys’ Instagram: @shsslobs.)
Saugatuck Elementary School Fun Day.
Athletic fields cleanup.
Minute Man 5K.
With the Westport Downtown Association.
(“06880” appreciates all that our teenagers do for Westport. We also appreciate all the readers who support this hyper-local blog. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
The 22-year-old program — which brings academically gifted and highly motivated young men of color to Westport, where they live together and attend Staples High School — is one of our town’s shining jewels.
The 2023-24 ABC scholars.
The Dream Event is a chance not only to raise much-needed funds, but to celebrate ABC’s scholars, their families, and the community volunteers who make the program run, as host parents, drivers, tutors and more.
As always, Saturday’s event at the Westport Library was a powerful demonstration of the impact A Better Chance has on these wonderfully dynamic, creative and brilliant young men.
It is an equally powerful demonstration of what Westport gains from them.
The speeches by president Eric Freeman, encee Jay Norris, host parents and others were ringing endorsements of ABC.
A Better Chance of Westport president Eric Freeman introduces emcee Jay Norris (photo on the large screen).
But the words from the scholars themselves were especially noteworthy.
2016 Staples alum Christopher Morales described his path in the world since graduating from Cornell University.
Christopher Morales
Staples senior Nile Jean spoke with insight, warmth and humor about his journey from an ambivalent 9th grader to a soon-t0-be-graduate, who made the rocky adjustment, then thrived, in a very different town and school.
Nile Jean
Nile’s mother’s Nedra Stewart’s loving, passionate words brought the crowd to tears. From an early age, she wanted the program for her son (“I stalked ABC,” she said). Her pride in him was evident.
Nile Jean’s mother, Nedra Stewart. (All photos/Jerri Graham Photography)
And the large crowd was proud that she had entrusted her son to ABC, and to our community.
We will watch him soar, as so many other ABC alumni have done. We are a better community for having them in our midst.
(To learn more about A Better Chance of Westport — including how to volunteer and offer support — click here.)
The other day, “06880” noted the pavement-grading activity to the right of the northbound entrance at I-95 Exit 18.
The property near the Sherwood Island Connector is a “reuse stockpile area.” It is a hub for storing dirt and gravel salvaged from the Norwalk WALK railroad bridge site, allowing the contractor to minimize waste and disposal.
Alert and environmentally conscious reader Scott Smith adds: “It’s amazing that the town can spend 10 years or more debating new parking downtown or elsewhere, but the state can throw down a couple of acres of asphalt just like that.”
He is also amazed by “how much land in Westport is heavily used by the state Department of Transptoration and Metro-North, from the takeover of the commuter parking lot further down the Connector to all the action at exit 17.
“It looks like we’ll be a construction zone for years more.”
“Reuse stockpile area” at I-95 Exit 18 northbound. (Photo/Scott Smith)
Westport’s newest outdoor sculpture will be dedicated May 4 (4 p.m.).
The public is invited to Pasacreta Park (opposite Saugatuck Elementary School) for a ceremony honoring artist Niki Ketchman, and “Passage.”
The work by the longtime Westport resident is a joint initiative with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, Parks & Recreation Department and Commission, Department of Public Works and the Westport Permanent Art Collections.
“Passage” is on loan for 5 years.
Artist Niki Ketchman (umbrella) supervises the installation of “Passage.”
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May is Mental Health Month.
TAP Strength invites men — and the people who love them — to a holistic discussion of treatment options.
“Let’s Talk About Men’s Mental Health” (May 15, 6 to 7 p.m., 180 Post Road East) features Jennifer Boyd PA and TAP Strength owner Dr. EJ Zebro.
A $25 donation to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Health is suggested.
The Staples Jazz Ensemble headlines “A Night of Jazz.” The May 13 (7 p.m., Westport Library) event features music by Benny Carter, Frank Foster, Dizy Gillespie, Rick Hirsch and Thad Jones — with a world premiere by Dr. Kyle Saulnier.
The free event is part of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston’s monthly jazz series.
Dizzy Gillespie comes to the Westport Library May 13. Well, the Staples High School Jazz Ensemble will play his music, anyway.
Sorelle Gallery’s new floral exhibition is “Awakening.” The opening reception is May 11 (3 to 5 p.m.).
Attendees can explore floral artwork by Kay Flierl, Christine Averill-Green, Linda Bigness, Juniper Briggs, Kelly Rossetti and others; watch a frosting piping demo, and taste cake samples by Harborview Cakes; see a bouquet-building demo and shop flower arrangements by New Petal Flower Market, and enjoy light refreshments (including a specialty floral cocktail).
A percentage of proceeds from partnering organizations and artwork sales will be donated to Earthplace. Click here for more details on the exhibition.
“Awakening,” at Sorelle Gallery.
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Carl Addison Swanson’s latest “Husk McCormick” series novel — “Sex Trafficking” — is now available on Kindle.
Longtime Westporter and Staples High School graduate Swanson is the best-selling author of 58 novels.
This one focuses on a modern horror: young women who are kidnapped and placed in “modern slavery” for prostitution and other acts.
Swanson’s protagonist Hush McCormick rushes to rescue a Marine buddy’s daughter, who falls victim to a cartel.
Speaking of books: The next Westport Book Shop’s Short Story Book Club meeting is May 23 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Attendees will discuss 2 selections from Tim O’Brien’s 1990 “The Things They Carried,” his part fiction, part memoir collection of stories about the Vietnam War.
The selections are “On The Rainy River” and “Speaking of Courage.”
Registration is required, by phone (203-349-5141) or email (bookshop@westportbooksaleventures.org.)
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What could be more natural than a full moon?
Lauren Rothstein captured this once-a-month shot for “Westport … Naturally” a few days ago, at Saugatuck Shores’ Covlee Beach. (Hat tip: Patti Brill)
And finally … the upcoming Staples Jazz Ensemble’s concert (story above) brings to mind the great Dizzy Gillespie:
(“06880” kicks off another week of Roundups — and much more. If you enjoy our work, please support us with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
Posted onApril 27, 2024|Comments Off on Staples Students Promote Non-Profits
Fairfield County is filled with interesting non-profits, doing important things.
And 4 Staples High School juniors want everyone to know about them.
Zach Gorin and Aaron Varsov are excellent students, and high-level soccer players. They don’t have a lot of free time.
But they wanted to start a business. Their friend Jack Schwartz had the idea of a podcast, to promote non-profits.
They enlisted a fourth other sharp, soccer-playing Staples teammate, Cormac Mulvey.
From left: Jack Schwartz, Cormac Mulvey, Aaron Varsov, Zach Gorin.
The 11th graders already knew a bit about non-profits. Zach is on the junior board of Homes with Hope. Jack is on Yale Children’s Hospital’s junior board.
“A lot of non-profits don’t get much recognition,” Jack says. “We want to tell their stories, the stuff you don’t find on their website. We want people to be inspired by them — especially kids.”
“Non-Profit Promoters” — the name of their venture — chronicles the organizations’ struggles and triumphs.
And it’s done through interviews with the non-profits’ leaders themselves.
Their first guest was George Todorovich. The Weston High School graduate — now at the University of Virginia — uses the power of basketball to help impoverished, war-torn communities in the former Yugoslavia, where his family is from.
The Westport Fire Department did not have to travel far Wednesday night.
They — and a couple of hundred Westport friends — gathered at Autostrada, next door.
The classic car-and-event space was filled for the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation’s 2nd annual whiskey tasting fundraiser.
The cause was a great one: $80,000, to replace 55 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), in every fire, police and ambulance in town.
The turnout — and vibe — was fantastic. And though the mood was festive, it was important too to hear Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan’s description of lives that have been saved by AEDs.
One grateful woman — 34 years old — returned to the fire station to thank him. With her 4- and 2-year-old sons.
Raising money for AEDs is something the firefighters do, above and beyond the call of duty. Last night, Westport toasted them in style.
First responders, town officials and friends at the firefighters’ gala.
Checking out auction items — and classic cars — at Autostrada.
From left: Firefighters Eric LaRiviere, Rob Lenois, Ryan Farrell, Pete Nichio and Shareef Conjura. Lenois is president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation. (Photos/John Videler for Videler Photography)
If you missed Homes with Hope‘s fantastic video — celebrating the non-profit’s 40 year history, from a controversial small men’s shelter to a supportive housing institution supported by the entire town — you’re in luck.
It will be screened again on June 9 (2 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church). It’s a fascinating look at changing attitudes toward homelessness and hunger, as told by the men and women who have worked for 4 decades to end it here.
Also in Homes with Hope news: Yesterday, the Westport Downtown Association presented the organization with a check for $20,000. The generous proceeds come from last month’s Fashionably Westport event, at the Westport Library.
The donation will help expand Homes with Hope’s pantry, and bring back the Project Return program — along with all the other good works HwH does.
Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley and Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden (5th and 6th from left), and representatives of the 2 organizations, with their $20,000 check.
The Connecticut NAACP State Conference and Greater Norwalk NAACP branch have organized a “town hall meeting” to address “concerns and experiences related to racism in the community.”
It’s set for May 9 (6 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westport).
Norwalk NAACP president Brenda Penn-Williams told Nancy on Norwalk: “Individuals throughout Fairfield County are invited to participate and voice their perspectives on combating racism in our society. The initiative stems from recent allegations around incidents of racist bullying, which have deeply affected families in the Westport community….
“This event aims to create a platform for open dialogue, advocacy, and solidarity against racism. It will provide a space for community members to share their stories, offer support, and advocate for meaningful change to combat racism.
“The Town Hall meeting will serve as a collective effort to address racism as a community-wide issue and promote inclusivity, equity, and respect for all individuals. Join us on May 9 to stand together against racism and work towards a more just society.” (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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The Westport Country Playhouse continues to add intriguing new events.
“Girl Rising”celebrates the untapped potential of girls to address the world’s urgent challenges, like climate change (May 29, 7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
The evening features screenings of portions of the documentary “Girl Rising,” which helped spark a global movement for girls’ education. Girl Rising’s co-founder and CEO Christina Lowery will be on hand with young advocates for girls’ rights, education equity, and climate justice, to tell powerful stories and engage in empowering conversation.
Following February’s sold-out Swiftie singalong, “A Night for Swifties & More” takes the stage June 1 (7 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
Drew Wutke’s powerhouse band returns, with Broadway singers and beyond. At 5:30 before the show, there’s friendship bracelet-making, a photo both, other activities and live music.
The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players present “The Pirates of Penzance in One Act and an Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan Players” (June 28, 7:30 p.m.; June 29, 2 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information). The performers will take audience requests, too.
“Imagination Movers”offers the fun of one of their concerts — it’s kids’ music at its best. A limited number of pre-show meet-and-greet tickets are available too (September 22, 1 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
Kings Highway Elementary School students, staff members and parents celebrated Earth Day on Tuesday. Among the highlights:
“Zero Hero Helper” students were honored for their work keeping the school clean, through litter removal, lunch room composting and food rescuing.
Mother Earth Melodies: Music teacher Amy Laurino led students in Earth Day songs.
The Science of Seeds: Science coach Kate Romano shared updates on the planting in the new science garden center.
Food Rescue: Priscilla Jones, math and workshop teacher, described how this year KHS has donated over 1,400 pounds of uneaten food to the Food Rescue US Fairfield County.
Cans to Coins: KHS is collecting redeemable cans and plastic bottles throughout April. Proceeds will be donated to World Bicycle Relief to complement their One School One Book project. Cans and bottles redeemed so far have enabled students to send $160 to Lucy Ackemann from Food Rescue US.
Kings Highway Elementary students celebrate Earth Day.
The Westport Shellfish Commission member and Saugatuck Shores resident headed to Canal Beach at low tide. She cleaned up the large stake (photo below), plus “lots of little bitty plastics and metals, Styrofoam, cardboards, and tar road chunks.”
The good news: She collected “much, much less than last year.”
“Civil War” — the new film generating tons of buzz — offers a new take on social collapse. It follows 4 journalists on a road trip from New York to Washington,
The central character is Lee (Kirsten Dunst), a photojournalist.
So when “On the Media” — WNYC’s popular radio show and podcast — wanted to dive deeper, they went to one of the world’s most talented and honored photojournalists: Lynsey Addario.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times staff member — who has photographed harrowing scenes in Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, and is a 1991 Staples High School graduate — talked with Brooke Gladstone about her experiences covering wars abroad, and how accurately the film depicts reporting during conflict.
Speaking of Staples: Students Anna Ji, Andrew Rebello and Jackson Tracey will represent their high school at the Hwa Chong Institution’s Asia-Pacific Young Leaders’ Summit in July.
Principal Stafford Thomas will accompany the delegates to the conference, in Singapore.
Each year, HCI invites 80 top student leaders from leading schools around the world.
For the past 11 years, Westport has been invited to send 3 juniors who are high performing academically and interested in world affairs, with a special interest in Asia. Congratulations to Anna, Andrew and Jackson!
From left: Anna Ji, Andrew Rebello, Jackson Tracey.
Read to Grow is a non-profit organization with one mission: embracing literacy from birth.
They profit with 17 hospitals to provide babies with their first book, and parents with educational materials to guide them as their babies’ first and best teachers.
In addition, a books-for-kids program enables anyone in Connecticut to request books for their home, while a bookmobile allows children to select books to take home.
Read to Grow hosts a fun fundraiser on May 2 (Westport Library, 6 p.m.). Highlights include food and drinks based children’s books, from Zucca Gastrobar; games of chance; music by Andrew Maskoff, and a silent auction.
TikTok-famous librarian Mychal Threets will be there, along with noted local author Victoria Kahn. Longtime New York radio celebrity Ian O’Malley hosts.
Radio host, actor and author (“Happier Made Simple”) Randye Kaye gave a humorous and interactive presentation to the Westport Rotary Club lunch meeting on Tuesday. The topic was “What’s EI Got To Do With It.”
Kaye said that emotional intelligence and human connection are the keys to achieving joy, and surviving tough times.
She led the Rotarians through exercises to show how changing perceptions and thoughts about a situation can also change emotional reactions.
Randye Kaye, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Ellin Curley)
And finally … On this date in 1969, the Edwin Hawkins Singers’ “Oh Happy Day” entered the Hot 100 at #72. It was the first pure gospel song to make that chart. It went on to reach #4, and became an international hit.
(It’s a happy day when readers support “06880.” If you enjoy our work, please click here to help. Thank you!)
The Yellow Tulip Project is a national, youth-driven movement aimed at smashing the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness.
It began when teenager Julia Hansen was dealing with her own depression, alone. It took the tragedy of losing her 2 best friends to suicide for the high school sophomore to find her voice, and speak out.
Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
Julia lives in California. But her mom Suzanne grew up in Westport, and graduated from Staples High School.
Westport Department of Human Services director Elaine Daignault did not know that when she learned about the Yellow Tulip Project, and brought it to Staples’ Teen Awareness Group. She’s an advisor to TAG, a student-led group that takes a realistic, impactful role in trying to reduce teens’ risky behavior, and promote personal and shared responsibility.
TAG loved the project’s message about instilling hope. They bought 500 tulips.
Inspired by Julia’s story, TAG looked for locations to plant yellow tulip bulbs. They’d serve as a visual reminder of hope for those dealing with mental health issues.
In November they planted 2 hope gardens. One was at Staples, near the peace pole in the courtyard by the auditorium. The other was at the Senior Center.
TAG members planted tulips in the Staples High courtyard …
“We liked the idea of spreading hope to seniors who may experience isolation, grief and loneliness as they age,” Daignault explains.
“And the kids recognized that our active seniors may also appreciate an inter-generational initiative that encourages the community to talk openly about mental health.”
Senior Center director Wendy Petty and program specialist Jason Wilson suggested using the dormant winter garden, to protect the bulbs from deer.
Jason helped prepare the soil, and gave TAG members “the confidence to get a little dirty,” Daignault says.
… and, with help from Jason Wilson (rear), at the Senior Center.
It was only then — after talking with Senior Center member Dorothy Fox — that Daignault learned of her daughter Suzanne and granddaughter Julia’s Westport connection.
TAG members plan a small dedication ceremony today (Friday) at 3 p.m., when the blooms look their best.
The timing works well too, because TAG is preparing for Staples’ Get Real Day on May 8. It’s a school-wide focus on mental health and substance abuse awareness.
“The Yellow Tulip Project’s Hope Garden is another way TAG hopes to encourage open conversation about wellness, and spread awareness about available resources,” Daignault says.
“Next year we’ll try to build some programming around the initiative. But for now, we’re just thrilled to spread some light and cheer this spring.”
Westport Center Senior’s “Hope Garden,” in bloom.
(“06880” covers Westport’s youth, seniors, and everyone in between. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Even if he’s spent the entire time going backwards to reach it.
The 2016 Staples High School graduate has just been named to USRowing’s national team. This summer, he heads to Paris to race in the Olympics.
Rowing is a natural sport for Bub — and not just because he’s 6-6. Both parents rowed at Boston University; his 2 older brothers were rowers too. Every year the family headed to Boston, to watch the Head of the Charles races.
As a freshman, Bub joined the Saugatuck Rowing Club program. It was a perfect fit.
“It’s such a great team sport,” he says. “You’re quite literally in the same boat as your teammates.” The people he met through rowing remain his closest friends.
Bub achieved plenty of success. He and fellow Staples 11th grader Lucas Manning won the Junior Nationals pairs race, then finished 9th at the world competition in Rio de Janeiro.
Oliver Bub (center), with Saugatuck Rowing Club coach Sharon Kriz and teammate Lucas Manning.
He gives much of the credit to SRC’s former head coach Sharon Kriz, and former assistant (now head) coach Dave Grossman.
“Their early guidance was so helpful,” Bub says. “I’m super grateful.”
Colleges came calling. He chose Dartmouth, whose coach was a 2-time Olympian. Bub earned Freshman of the Year honors in 2016-17.
But his senior season was canceled by COVID.
Graduating with a degree in economics, Bub took a job with Citibank’s Bay Area tech lending group.
In June of 2023 he was chosen for the senior national team, to compete in Belgrade. He a bold move: He left the industry, to train full time.
Oliver Bub, on the water.
Rowing is not a lucrative sport. USRowing and the US Olympic Committee offer small stipends. He’s lived off savings, in Oakland.
It’s a frugal life (though, Bub admits, “I do eat a lot”).
He spends his days training and racing with the California Rowing Club. “It’s a simple life. I don’t have the daily stresses that could get in the way of optimized performance,” he says. “I’m always keeping the end goal in mind.”
That goal grows closer every day.
Bub will spend the next 6 weeks training with the team in Oakland. (It helps that it’s now his home city.)
Then he’s off to Lucerne, Switzerland, where the US will face many of the boats they’ll see at the Olympics.
Back in the US, they’ll train at Dartmouth (another “homecoming”) and Princeton, then compete in Italy. After that: Paris.
Bub’s teammate in men’s pair is Billy Bender, a Dartmouth student taking his senior year off to concentrate on the Olympics. Last year, with another partner, Bender placed 5th in the world championship.
Oliver Bub and Billy Bender, earlier this month.
Bender and Bub’s aim is simple: to win a medal. “There’s no real difference after third,” Bub notes.
When that race is over — after 11 years of grueling work, for a few fleeting minutes on the world stage — Bub will …
Well, he’s not sure.
“It will be time to get back to work, move on with my career,” he says. “I probably should figure it out.”
While he expects to spend a year away from competitive rowing, he won’t give up certain routines.
“I enjoy exercising and working out, so I expect to continue that,” Bub says.
“And If rowing calls my name back — we’ll see.”
(Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
(“The Olympics unites the world. “06880” does the same for Westport. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Click here to help. Thank you!)
And — under the leadership of Doug Grabe, who owns 5 Little Pubs and has now taken over operation of the Saugatuck landmark — it aims to be around for at least 40 more.
But not every restaurant makes it that long.
Even the landmarks.
To honor them, Dunville’s has unveiled a new “icons mural.”
Some flourished nearby. Others were across town.
All are gone, but warmly remembered.
There’s still some room left.
Any suggestions? Click “Comments” below.
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James Comey returns to Westport on May 23.
The former FBI director will be at the Westport Library. He’ll discuss his new book with TV host (and Westporter) Dave Briggs.
Comey’s book is called “Westport.” The suspense thriller features Nora Carleton, lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund.
What a coincidence! Before entering government service, Comey was general counsel of Bridgewater Associates — the world’s largest hedge fund. He and his family lived in Greens Farms, just a couple of miles from his office.
Click here for more information, and to register. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
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Henry Wynne has set many Connecticut and collegiate running records.
Now he’s part of a new world mark.
The 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate anchored the Brooks Beasts team that won the men’s distance relay at Friday night’s Oregon Relays.
Their 9:14.58 time sliced nearly a second off the record that stood for nearly a decade: 9:15.50.
It’s not his first world record, either. In 2019, Wynne’s Brooks Beast team won the 4 x 1 mile relay in 16:03.68, smashing the previous mark by as astonishing 9.13 seconds.
Wynne covered the 1600 meters — the longest leg of the 4 runners — in 3:52.64.
He told DyeStat.com that he fed off the energy of the crowd. “It was pressure,” Wynne said, “but such a fun atmosphere.”
Teammate Brandon Miller said: “Seeing Henry, that last 200, pulling away from the lights – it was so hype for me and the boys. It was a dream come true.”
(Click here for the full story. Click here for a video of Oregon Relays highlights. Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
Henry Wynne crosses the finish line, with a world record. (Photo/Becky Holbrook courtesy of DyeStat.com)
But the celebration continues this Saturday (April 27, 10 a.m.)
Members of the Westport Police and Fire Departments, Staples Service League of Boys, Police Athletic League, VFW Post 399, Sons of the American Legion Westport Animal Shelter Advocates will gather at the animal control building on Elaine Road (off Compo Road South, between the I-95 underpass and railroad tracks), for a trash pick-up.
Even more help is needed. The area — which includes the state boat launch — is a mess.
Bring gloves and trash bags. Questions? Email acolabellartm4@gmail.com.
Westporters of all ages — including RTM member and organizer Andrew Colabella (standing on trash bags) and Police Chief Foti Koskinas (2nd from right) turned out for an earlier trash pick-up. Among the items: the large discarded signs (left).
The most famous pair nest on a tower next to Fresh Market. Others find homes on platforms at Burying Hill Beach and Sherwood Island State Park, drawing admiring gazes from springtime visitors.
Another osprey couple is less visible. Johanna Keyser Rossi’s eagle eyes (ho ho) spotted them high up on the cell tower next to the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
It’s nowhere near as beautiful as the beachside nests.
Johanna Keyser Rossi doesn’t know if it’s an eel or a snake. But her Saugatuck River photo is definitely an intriguing addition to our “Westport … Naturally” series.
And finally … today is the birthday of the amazing Roy Orbison. He died far too young of heart failure in 1988. He was just 52.
The man Elvis Presley called “the greatest singer in the world” had a 4-octave range, earning him the nickname “the Caruso of Rock.”
In fact, music scholars say, Orbison and Enrico Caruso were the only 20th century tenors capable of hitting E over high C.
(“06880” can’t sing as well as Roy Orbison. But we’ve got pretty good range — at least, for our coverage of all things Westport. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
“Tennis” and “sustainability” don’t often go together.
But in the US alone, 125 million tennis balls are tossed into landfills each year. That’s about 20,000 metric tons of rubber waste.
Serve2Sustain is a national student-led non-profit aimed at making tennis an eco-friendly sport.
And it’s led by teenagers, right here in Westport.
Serve2Sustain chapters work with local tennis clubs to collect used balls. They’re sent to a facility where machinery separates materials for reuse. They then go to RecycleBalls and Laykold, which supplies tennis courts for events like the US Open.
The companies grind the rubber into crumbs used to construct courts.
Student chapters raise money to cover the cost of shipping balls to recycling centers, and collects balls from local tennis clubs.
Serve2Sustain was founded by Staples High School junior Shreyas Gorre and Ari Fayne, a sophomore in Chicago. Both avid tennis player, they met through the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, where they studied entrepreneurship.
Shreyas’ Staples friends (and Wrecker tennis teammates) Lucas Ceballos-Cala and Noah Wolff, are national vice presidents of operations and outreach, respectively.
Shreyas Gorre drops off used tennis balls, at the UPS Store.
The Staples chapter has partnered with Intensity Racquet Club and Westchester Tennis Center in Port Chester.
Every month, members pick up used tennis balls, and ship them off.
Looking ahead, they hope to add more clubs (and players) to help. To help, or ask questions, email serve2sustain@gmail.com. To donate, click here. To learn more about Serve2Sustain’s national operations, click here.
(“06880” is where Westport — and the environment, sports, and more — all meet. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Enforcement of downtown parking limits — suspended 4 years ago, during COVID — begins again May 1.
The good news: They’re now 3 hours, up from the previous 1 and 2 hours. (One exception: Post Road East parking remains 1 or 2 hours.)
Enforcement will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week.
Some parking areas are designated for all-day parking.
Click here for a map of all downtown parking lots, including aerial views, and the number of timed, all-day and electric vehicles spots. The map is also shown here:
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More police news: The WPD is investigating a car vs. canine accident last Saturday (April 13), at 11:30 a.m. on Compo Road North adjacent to Winslow Park. A driver struck a dog, then left the scene.
Anyone who witnessed the accident should email jkimball@westportct.gov.
Dogs occasionally run away from Winslow Park. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Yesterday’s “06880” story on “Suffs” — the musical about early 20th century suffragists that opened last night on Broadway — highlighted producer Jill Furman, a Westporter.
There’s another local connection: 2008 Staples High School graduate Leo Stagg.
A former Staples Player member (and winner of the Paul Steen Award for Fine Character, Dedication, Honesty, and Excellence in Performance), he is the head carpenter for “Suffs.”
His mother Heli — who runs the Westport Library café — was at last night’s show.
The “Suffs” set.
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Speaking of women’s rights:
State Representative Anne Hughes will discuss reproductive justice issues, in Connecticut and the nation, after this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport service.
Hughes — whose district includes Weston, Easton and Redding — has sponsored pro-choice legislation that expands the eligibility of trained practitioners, nurses, and physician assistants to provide abortions, and blocks Texas and other states from targeting Connecticut patients, doctors and advocates.
The event is sponsored by UU Westport’s Reproductive Justice Committee. The public is invited to the April 21 10 a.m. service, or the discussion only, which begins around 11:30 a.m.
Questions> Email beth@uuwestport.org, or call 203.227.7205, ext. 10.
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There’s a new “Passage” at Pasacreta Park.
That’s the name of Niki Ketchman’s new sculpture. It was installed yesterday at the peaceful oasis on Riverside Avenue, across from Saugatuck Elementary School.
The work is part of a joint initiative between the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, Westport Parks & Recreation Department and the Parks & Recreation Commission, to beautify town parks. It is on loan for 5 years.
Ketchman — whose work has been exhibited at the Katonah Museum, New Britain Museum of American Art, and the Aldrich and Bruce Museums — can visit her work often. She has lived in Westport for almost 50 years.
A public dedication is set for May 4 (4 p.m.).
Sculptor Niki Ketchman (umbrella) watches the installation of “Passage” at Pasacreta Park. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Diamond)
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The Westport Young Woman’s League is sponsoring 2 great — and very different — events.
The 45th annual Minute Man Race Sunday, April 28 at Compo Beach.
The main event includes a certified USA Track and Field 10K run, 5K run, and 5K walk.
Kids Fun Run activities involve a 50-yard dash, 100-yard dash, 1/2-mile run and 1-mile run, featuring a Kids Zone during and after the race.
On-site refreshments include a food truck, ice cream truck and beer truck.
Race net proceeds benefit a number of area charities. Click here to register, and for more information.
The next day — Monday, April 29 (Christ & Holy Trinity Church, 11:30 a.m.)– the WYWL hosts a lunch with chef and TV host Lidia Bastianich.
The 3-course meal features Bastianich’s recipes. All attendees get a gift from Cuisinart. There’s also a free raffle.
VIP ticket holders meet Bastianich in person, take photos and get an autographed copy of her book, “From our Family Table to Yours.”
The event highlights the Young Woman’s League grant program. Click here for tickets and more information.
The start of a Minute Man race.
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The Rock & Roll Legends exhibit — dozens of Michael Friedman’s photos from the 1960s, including the Rolling Stones, The Band, Janis Joplin and more — draws a constant stream of visitors to the pop-up gallery on Church Lane.
On May 14 (7 p.m.), it will draw a large crowd for an Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser. 100% of ticket sales go the non-profit.
The event includes stories from Friedman himself, Q-and-A, and a raffle to win a photograph and signed book.
For tickets ($100), click here; then click “Donate to the Team” once, and — on the next page — “Donate to the Team” again.
Questions? Email mindiroca@yahoo.com, or call 914-806-3090.
Michael Friedman in his pop-up gallery. His photo shows Levon Helm, legendary drummer for The Band.
Whether you watched this month’s solar eclipse in full totality (amazing, we’re told), or here in Westport (less so), you probably have a set or two of special sunglasses sitting around somewhere.
You can hold onto them for the next eclipse, years from now.
Or you can donate them to Astronomers Without Borders. The non-profit recycles them. Click here for more information.
The nearest collection sites are in Bethel and Shelton.
That’s a lot closer than the sun.
Recycle those eclipse glasses! (Photo/Amy Schneider)
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Seth van Beever ties together today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, and next month’s holiday: “This dogwood tree at 22 Treadwell Avenue was planted for my mom‘s first Mother’s Day, in 1976.”
And finally … Dickey Betts died yesterday in Florida. He was 80, and suffered from cancer and chronic destructive pulmonary disease.
The New York Times called him “a honky-tonk hell raiser who, as a guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, traded fiery licks with Duane Allman in the band’s early-1970s heyday, and who went on to write some of the band’s most indelible songs, including its biggest hit, ‘Ramblin’ Man.'” Click here for a full obituary.
(Have a great weekend! No matter what you plan, “06880” will be here for you. We’re your 24/7/365 hyper-local blog. We rely on reader support. Please click here — and thank you.)
His wife’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2013 galvanized Tony Award-winning actor Jim Naughton into action.
He’s spent the past decade advocating for a statewide Aid In Dying law.
On Tuesday he brought his passion — and powerful persuasive powers — to the Westport Rotary Club. The longtime Weston resident discussed the importance of the bill, its history and future.
He noted that although 75% of Connecticut residents support this “death with dignity” legislation, its proponents have not been able to get it out of committee for a vote.
Jim Naughton, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Photographs are not allowed during the trial of Donald Trump — at least, not during the actual action.
But a few photographers have been allowed in before the proceedings begin. This one — published around the world — was taken by Staples High School graduate Spencer Platt:
(Photo/Spencer Platt for AFP)
It’s not the first time Platt has shot a Trump-related image.
In 2022 he was one of 5 Getty Images photographers who earned a Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography, for their coverage of the January 6 assault on the US Capitol. (Hat tip: Richard Seclow)
Westport PAL is collecting used sports equipment. It will be used on their Memorial Day float, and donated to organizations in need.
Equipment can be dropped off any time in the lobby of Police headquarters on Jesup Road. Pickups can also be scheduled; call Emma Rojas at 203-571-7505.
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There’s been another Tesla Cybertruck sighting in town.
Saryn Koche and her son saw it parked behind Don Memo.
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Julia’s mother, Suzanne Fox, helped her create an online space to inspire conversations about how to combat the rising tide of suicide. Yellow Tulip Project members speak and conferences, schools and youth events; provide programs, and plant “hope gardens” in the fall that bloom in spring.
Serve2Sustain chapters work with local tennis clubs to collect used balls. They’re sent to a facility where machinery separates materials for reuse. They then go to RecycleBalls and Laykold, which supplies tennis courts for events like the US Open.
