Category Archives: Staples HS

Roundup: Aid In Dying, Learn A Trade, Carl Swanson’s Books …

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Lynda Shannon Bluestein is a longtime member — and former board chair — of the Unitarian Church in Westport.

She just published a very moving piece in The CT Mirror, on medical aid in dying.

The 2-time cancer survivor writes: “I simply want the right to have a say in the timing and manner of my death when I reach the point where my disease or the pain and suffering it causes robs me of the quality of life that is essential to me.”

Click here for the full, enlightening story. (Hat tip: Steve Axthelm)

Lynda Shannon Bluestein (Photo courtesy of The CT Mirror)

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As Build Back Better infrastructure funds begin flowing, skilled workers in a variety of trades will be needed. The Connecticut Department of Transportation alone is looking for 100 people, especially those with commercial drivers licenses. They can’t find them.

High school juniors and seniors — and recent graduates — interested in on-the-job training and real-life work experiences in a variety of trades have until February 18 to register for a special program, which can propel them into successful, well-paying careers.

The Staples High Guidance Department has partnered with Trumbull High School to offer the free Connecticut Pre-Apprenticeship High School Training program.

Students gain experience, and learn how to apply as an apprentice, in unions for carpenters, electricians, iron workers, road and highway laborers and operating engineers.

Certification can be earned in OSHA 10-Hour, flagger, and CPR/First Aid/AED.

Program graduates are eligible for notification of employment opportunities, resume reviews and interview preparation.

For more information, click here and here. Questions? Contact Staples guidance counselor Vicki Capozzi (vcapozzi@westportps.org) or Trish Howells (phowells@westportps.org).

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Carl Addison Swanson has written over 50 books, including the Hush McCormick series, Tug Christian thrillers, Scooter mysteries, Ian Fletcher legal series and Justin Carmichael nostalgic memoirs.

You can find them all at his website. Or you can find many — for free — at the Westport Bookcycle, outside Local to Market on the Main Street/Parker Harding corner.

But be kind. Be like Carl. When you pick up a book, try to give one in return.

(Photo/Carl Addison Swanson)

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The Westport Country Playhouse has new policies for all visitors.

Starting March 1, everyone 18 and older must show proof of 2 doses of the COVID vaccine, or one of Johnson & Johnson — plus the booster.

And as of now, everyone 5 to 17 years old must show proof of 2 doses of the vaccine. Everyone under 5 must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult, and provide a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the performance.

Masks must be worn at all times, with N95 and KN95 masks strongly encouraged. The Playhouse may ask audience members to double mask, with a surgical mask provided by the theater.

The Playhouse says, “We are aware that mask requirements are being lifted in some communities. But please note that Actors’ Equity requires that actors perform only at theaters where audiences are required to wear masks.

“Thank you for working with us to keep our community safe, especially for those who are most vulnerable. We will continue to follow the science and anticipate our guidelines will change as conditions change. We recommend that you check our website for the current policy before every visit to the Playhouse.”

Mask up before entering the famed venue,

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ᐧFor a while, Marie Gross has noticed a pair of bald eagles sitting in the same tree overlooking the Saugatuck River, across from Saugatuck Elementary School.

A couple of days ago, she snapped this “Westport … Naturally” image.

(Photo/Marie Gross)

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And finally … on this day in 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born. Today is also Georgia Day, a commemoration of the colony’s founding in 1733.

Put the two together, and you get …

Roundup: Mindful Drinking, Car Thefts, Olympics …

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It’s no secret that alcohol consumption has soared during the pandemic.

What is a secret is that few people have talked about it.

Westport Together — the town’s health and wellness alliance — wants that to change.

On February 17 (7 p.m., Zoom), they’re sponsoring an online roundtable discussion. “Mindful Drinking: Reimagining Our Alcohol Habits & How They Impact Our Relationships” includes local residents talking about the role of alcohol in Westport culture, and its impact on ourselves and friends.

Click here for more information, and to register.

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Yesterday morning at 7:40, a car was stolen from the Playhouse Square parking lot. It was soon involved in an accident near the office building across from Fire Department headquarters, though the car thief escaped.

Around the same time, a wallet was stolen from a vehicle parked near Trader Joe’s.

In both cases, the cars were unlocked. The vehicle that was stolen had the key fob inside.

These incidents are astonishingly common in Westport. For a town that prides itself on its schools, the simple lesson of “lock your vehicle — and take the fob with you!” seems to take waaaaay too long to sink in.

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Calling all Olympics fans — especially those who follow Westport’s own Julia Marino:

The silver medalist snowboarder has one event left: big air.

Qualifiers are set for this Sunday (February 13), 8:30 p.m. EST, on NBC or USA. However, that may be pushed back to Monday morning at 12:30 a.m., due to Super Bowl coverage.

The big air finals are Monday (February 14), 8:30 p.m. on NBC.

Go for the gold, Julia! (Hat tip: Matthew Mandell)

NBC’s split screen last weekend showed Julia Marino in China, and the Marino family and friends in Westport. (Screenshot/Jeanine Esposito)

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For over 75 years, “Soundings” and “QED” have published Staples High School students’ prose, poetry, artwork, photography and more.

The publications have won many awards — including most recently 1st place in the American Scholastic Press Association’s national contest. The publications show off our town’s teenage talent, and inspire countless students to find careers in the literary and visual arts.

For the past couple of years — for reasons both economic (budgets) and medical (COVID) — the magazines have been digital only.

Yet editors and readers know there is something special — still — about print.

To publish on paper, they need money. It’s not a lot — just $3,000 — but they’ve asking for help. Via GoFundMe.

Click here to contribute. And if you need a few dozens reasons why this is important, click here for “Soundings”‘ website.

Make sure you’ve got time, though. Those 7 decades of archives won’t read themselves.

A page from the 1983 “Soundings.”

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It’s a lone little tree, stuck in a tiny park with no name on the windy walkway from Old Mill Beach to Compo Cove.

But it’s proud. And these days, the mini-tree is sprouting a special Valentine’s Day heart (and garlands).

Love is truly where you find it.

(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)

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George Billis Gallery hosts an opening reception tomorrow (Saturday, February 12, 4:30 to 6 p.m.) for its new show. Adam Noel and Karen Recor are the featured artists, at the Main Street space.

Adam Noel, in his studio.

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Gregg Tenser writes: “Some mornings, I found my bird feeder on the ground. I wondered: Did we have a bear?

“Apparently not. Tonight i busted the culprit.”

And there it is — in all its “Westport … Naturally” glory.

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And finally … happy 60th birthday, Sheryl Crow!

Roundup: Winter Lights Festival, Grace Power, Olympics …

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The days are getting lighter. But it’s still mid-February.

This Saturday (February 12, noon to 9 p.m.), you can help make things brighter. Westport’s 2nd annual Winter Lights Festival takes place on Jesup Green.

The event — co-sponsored by Next Teens, Toquet Hall and MoCA Teens –is a fundraiser to fight food insecurity.

Eveyone attending the event will help create an immersive winter-themed experience, including a walk-through light path. The festival includes a fully stocked craft-makin space for families to create fun decorations, which will be included in the path.

The walkway will be lit at 5 p.m. At that time, Up Next will announce a new community initiative.

The festivities continue afterward at Toquet Hall, with Game Night and free  hot chocolate.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Last year’s Winter Lights Festival.

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When “Life & Beth” debuts on Hulu next month, most eyes will be on star Amy Schumer.

But Westporters will look for Grace Power. The Staples High School sophomore — who was part of last year’s Players radio shows — can be seen in 7 episodes, as “Young Liz.”

Click below for the show’s trailer:

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Employees and customers at People’s Bank North Compo Road branch are mourning the sudden death of Peter Harrington, the popular and very caring manager there. He spent 38 years with People’s.

Other mourners include members of the Westport Rotary Club, where he was an active and gregarious member.

The Brooklyn native grew up in New Jersey and Connecticut. He was a graduate of Fairfield Prep and Notre Dame University, where he majored in economics.

Peter is survived by his wife of 41 years, Pamela, and their children Matthew and Lauren.

Peter Harrington

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Some Westporters love the Olympics. Some loathe them. Others care only because our neighbor Julia Marino earned a silver medla.

But no one driving on Pumpkin Hill near Colony Road can ignore these signs of support. Go USA! indeed.

(Photo/Ed Simek)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo includes a somewhat unnatural — but closely related — subject.

Paul Delano writes: “I was strolling along the Riverwalk around Levitt Pavilion Tuesday, and saw some mallards swimming in Deadman Brook. Lo and behold, a colorful wood duck was hanging out with them.”

(Photo/Paul Delano)=======================================================

And finally … Roberta Flack turns 85 years old today! Hard to believe — and hard to believe this achingly beautiful song is almost 50 years old.

Roundup: We The People, Roe Halper, Joe Biden …

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“We the People” — Staples High School’s AP Government class, and the national competition of the same name — teaches students to research, analyze, synthesize and present important constitutional issues.

And it teaches them to think on their feet, and improvise.

A last-minute switch to a virtual format on Saturday did not faze Suzanne Kammerman’s 23 students. She commandeered the school library; a giant TV was set up; parents brought food, and team members set up in individual rooms with their laptops

The Westport teens’ knowledge of constitutional law was impressive (click here to see the depth and breadth of the questions). They finished second overall to traditional rival Trumbull, ahead of always-strong Greenwich.

Congratulations to all our constitutional scholars; to Kammerman, and the volunteers who helped prepare them for the event (and kept them fed)! (Hat tip: Lyn Hogan)

Like members of a (more academic) “Breakfast Club,” these 4 students did not know each other before the competition. But they finished with the top score of all 6 Staples “units,” and celebrated as friends afterward. Clockwise from lower left: Lilly Weisz, Sebatian Malino, Nikos Ninos, James Dobin-Smith.

Back row (left to right): Sebastian Malino, Nikos Ninos, James Dobin-Smith, Michael Brody, William Wang, Ishan Prasad, Zach Brody, Jackson Benner. Middle row:
Matthew Shackelford, Jet Tober, Scarlett Siegel, Clara Smith, Alex Laskin. Front row: Lilly Weisz, Spencer Yim, Rebecca Schussheim, Anna Diorio, Lucia Wang, Meredith Mulhern, Katharine Shackelford, Eva Simonte, Ryan Salik, Allison Gillman, teacher Suzanne Kammerman.

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Good things come to good organizations.

Westport Book Sale Ventures — the nonprofit that operates the Westport Book Shop and Westport Library book sales — has just been awarded $10,000.

The money, from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, supports the group’s employment program for people with disabilities.

Both of Westport Book Sale Ventures’ ventures employ residents with physical and emotional disabilities, in a variety of roles.

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For more than 60 years, Roe Halper has been a noted Westport artist. She’s still active.

Of course, her work has evolved greatly over the years. This Thursday (February 10, 7 p.m., Westport Library Trefz Forum) she’ll discuss exactly how. Her talk is part of her current exhibit “Orange,” on view in the Sheffer Gallery through March 6.

Her presentation should be fascinating — and “illustrative.” To learn more about Halper, click here.

Roe Halper, at her exhibit.

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Drivers coming off Merritt Parkway Exit 42 from the west see signs pointing them to Westport or Weston.

That’s it — no “Welcome to Westport!” or other warm, fuzzy greetings.

Except for this new sign, hung recently a few yards away on the Weston Road curve near Main Street:

(Photo/Debbie Silver)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image is classic mid-winter Westport. If you haven’t been to Sherwood Island recently, you’re missing out on beauty — and solitude.

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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And finally … drummer Sam Lay died recently in Chicago. He was 86.

The New York Times cited his “exuberant, idiosyncratic drumming … known for its double-shuffle groove.”

Lay played with Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. He backed Bob Dylan, when the folk singer went electric at Newport in 1965.

And — most importantly for “06880” — he was a founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The keyboardist was current Westport resident Mark Naftalin.

The Times says they were “racially integrated, a rarity at the time, and bought the blues to a white audience during an intense period in the civil rights movement.”

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Lay is also in the Blues Hall of Fame. (Click here for the full Times obituary.)

 

 

Roundup: Wrestling, Edwin Drood …

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The Staples High School wrestling team celebrated its seniors last night, at Wakeman Town Farm.

Freshmen on Coach Fred Mills’ first Wrecker team 4 years ago, they’ve brought the squad to a #4 state ranking. A huge match looms Monday (7 p.m., Staples gym), against Danbury.

How good are the Hatters? They have not lost an FCIAC (league) dual meet in over 430 times. The streak dates back, astonishingly, to 1986.

See you at Staples for the history-making contest.

Staples’ senior wrestlers (from left): Jack Edwards, Noah Fraas, Monty Goldberg, Nick Augeri, Reese Watkins, Oliver D’Anna, Eamon Brannigan, Jack Kuster. Not pictured: Logan Blum, Noah Hofstetter. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup noted that 2001 Staples High School graduate Meredith Boak is Harvard Law School’s new assistant dean for clinical and pro bono programs. It mentioned too classmate Peter Duchan, who wrote the book for the “Dogfight” musical — now being produced at the University of Michigan by, among others, Staples alums Jamie Mann and Brandon Malin.

Boak and Duchan’s names triggered memories for Jim Honeycutt. The retired media teacher filmed dozens of Staples Players shows, from 2000 on.

His first — and the first for new (and current) director David Roth — was “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” Here’s a clip from that musical.

Boak stars. And the MC? Duchan.

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Amanda Meltzer’s office overlooks the Saugatuck River. Here’s her “Westport … Naturally” photo of ducks hitching a ride on melting ice.

(Photo/Amanda Meltzer)

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And finally … in honor of Westporter Julia Marino’s silver medal snowboarding performance yesterday, at the 2022 Olympic Games:

 

 

Roundup: Indoor Track, Music, Science …

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Congratulations to Staples High School’s newest FCIAC champs: the boys indoor track team.

The Wreckers’ 98.5 team points gave them a comfortable edge over 2nd place Greenwich (80) yesterday, at Hillhouse High School.

Winners included Bruno Guiduli (600 meters), Jalen St. Fort (1000 m), Ben Lorenz (1600 m), Zach Taubman (3200 m), the 4 x 800 meter relay team (Alex Harrington, William Fitch, Noah Robison, Matthew Fleming) and the sprint medley relay team (David Sedrak, Charles Fitzpatrick, Jalen St. Fort, Rory Tarsy).

The Staples girls finished 4th overall, behind Fairfield Ludlowe, Greenwich  and Danbury. The 4 x 200 meter relay team of Molly Liles, Talia Moskowitz, Samantha Dewitt and Francine Stevens placed first.

Click here for a brief summary. Click here for all results.

(Photo and hat tip/Barry Guiduli)

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The Westport Police Department has seen an increase in “check washing.” That’s when someone erases details from a completed check, and rewrites them with a new payee and amount. It happens when checks that have been put in mailboxes are stolen. Once stolen, the suspect(s) alter the check by changing the payee as well as the amount and then cash or deposit  it at a bank.

Checks have been stolen from both residential and USPS mailboxes in Westport.  Police are investigating all cases. They recommend not placing checks in free-standing mailboxes. If a transation can’t be complete electronically, mail the check from inside the post office.

 

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Harvey Brooks has a great story to tell.

The bassist played on Bob Dylan’s classic 1965 album “Highway 61 Revisited.” Since then he’s played and recorded with everyone who’s anyone in the music world.

He first told his story 2 years ago in “View from the Bottom: 50 Years of Bass Playing with Bob Dylan, the Doors, Miles Davis, and Everybody Else.”

Now he really tells it. The audiobook version has just been released. And Brooks himself is the narrator.

He talks about being on stage at Monterey in 1967, and nearly everything else in his 5-decade career as a revered studio musician and producer for Columbia Records.

Including his many years in Westport, where he lived, played music, married and raised his stepdaughters.

Click here to order the audiobook (for free, with an Audible trial!) — and the hardcover, paperback and Kindle versions too.

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Speaking of music: 6 years ago, “06880” featured Becca Webster. The Staples High School freshman had just been named — drum roll, please! — the Under-18 Best Drummer in the World.

Time to hit it again. Becca is now a member of Kid Sistr, a Los Angeles-based all-women indie trio that plays their own instruments and writes their own songs. Another Kid Sistr: Sara Keden of Weston. You may have seen them on the cover of the current Westport Lifestyle magazine.

All 3 are the eldest children in sister-only families, which motivates their original music about their shared experiences. With humor and emotion, their songs describe ambition, heartbreak, femininity, sexuality and friendship.

They’ve opened for Willow Smith, and are managed by the same firm that represents Billie Eilish (who has her own “06880” connection).

New music will be out this spring, in conjunction with a tour. Their debut EP is available on all streaming platforms, and through their website.  (Hat tip: Veri Krassner)

Kid Sistr. From left: Becca Webster, Sabel, Sara Keden

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A Staples graduate “rocking” it in another field is Dr. Eric Edmund.

The 2010 grad earned a master’s in chemical physics at the University of Edinburgh, and Ph.D. in physics from Sorbonne Université. He is now a post-doc at Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institute for Science in Washington.

A writeup describes an international team he led: “Experiments carried out at the conditions of deep planetary interiors show that the complex behavior of iron-silicon alloys result in novel mechanisms for core crystallization within planet Mercury. These experiments were performed at pressures of up to 1 million atmospheres, and temperatures of up to 3,500 degrees Celsius.

“The findings not only unveil new behavior within Mercury, but also provide new insight into the thermal structure and chemical composition of the Earth’s core.”

Dr. Eric Edmund

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Former Westporter Christopher Eric Woods died January 30 in his new hometown of Waitsfield, Vermont. He suffered a cardiovascular event after a beautiful day of cross-country skiing. He was 62 years old.

Chris’ family says, “He lived an active lifestyle to the fullest. That day was no exception.”

The New Canaan native graduated from Hobart University, studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, and earned an MBA in finance from New York University.

Chris started his career in investment banking at AG Becker Warburg Paribas, later moving on to EF Hutton as vice president of international fixed income sales. He took an entrepreneurial path in 1993, which he continued the rest of his life.

Chris was an accomplished triathlete. He completed 23 Ironman distance triathlons, including the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in 2004, and multiple USA Triathlon All-American competitions.

Chris was also known for his talents at the helm. He sailed across the globe in regattas and championships, including the 505 World Championships in Sydney, Australia and Big Boat Series in San Francisco. He regularly crewed on the Farr 50 yacht “Infinity.” He resurrected the frost-biting program at Cedar Point Yacht Club, and for many years headed the team racing program at the New York Yacht Club.

Chris spent the rest of his free time volunteering, youth coaching and tutoring. Most recently he volunteered at the Waitsfield local library, and led the Blazer backcountry skiing program at Sugarbush Mountain.

Chris is survived by his children North and Willow, and brothers John and Stephen. He was also an animal lover, most recently always accompanied by his springer spaniel and best friend, Jack.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Chris’ memory can be made to Joslin Memorial Library, PO Box: 359 Waitsfield, VT 05673.

Chris Woods

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Winter weather continues, with snow, rain, sleet and ice predicted on and off through tonight.

Yesterday, Patricia McMahon captured some fog on the Saugatuck River, for our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.

(Photo/Patricia McMahon)

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And finally … intrigued by Kid Sistr (the band profiled above)? Click below!

Roundup: D-I Athletes, Shoveled Sidewalk, Happy 95th …

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A record-tying 13 Staples High School student-athletes signed letters of intent yesterday, to play sports at NCAA Division I schools.

Principal Stafford Thomas, athletic director Marty Lisevick praised the 12th graders. Each was introduced by his or her coach; each also thanked the many people who helped them on their journeys.

Congratulations to soccer player Gaby  Gonzalez (Cornell University); field hockey player Jess Leon (Bucknell University); baseball player JW Fitzgerald (Sacred Heart University); lacrosse players Aiden Best (Lafayette College), Gabe Chinitz (Bryant University),  McKenzie Didio and Mia Didio (both University of Delaware), Henry Dodge (University of Vermont), Charlie Howard (Boston Univesity); softball player Gabby Lantier (University of Rhode Island), tennis players Tighe Brunetti (Villanova University) and Amelia Galin (Colgate University), and track athlete Tatum Havemann (Elon University).

Staples athletic director Marty Lisevick addresses one group of D-I signees ….

… as the other group looks waits their turn.

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Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup included a photo from Amy Shapiro, showing an Easton Road sidewalk near Coleytown Elementary School that was still filled with snow, 72 hours after the storm.

Shortly thereafter, she sent a follow-up shot. Lookin’ good!

(Photo/Amy Shapiro)

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The Senior Center reopened for guests on Monday, after a month-long COVID hiatus.

Carl Frey was there yesterday, celebrating his 95th birthday. Welcome back, all!

Carl Frey blowing out birthday candles with (from right) his wife Iris, and Senior Center director Sue Pfister.

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Baby, it’s cold it’s outside.

But the Westport Farmers’ Market‘s “Operation Warm Hug” helps vulnerable children and adults who need clothes to get through winter. This month, they hold a coat and accessories drive, to benefit Community Coat Corners of Bridgeport.

New and gently worn winter coats, scarves, hats, mittens and gloves will be accepted on Thursdays, February 10 and 17 (Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

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As noted above: Yeah, it’s cold. But it’s not too early to begin thinking about summer.

Registration is already open for Camp MoCA. Weekly sessions run at the Museum of Contemporary Art Newtown Avenue campus from June 6 to August 22.

Each week includes art activities, hands-on agricultural and gardening lessons, outdoor fun and special events. Campers also engage with MoCA’s art exhibitions. The camp is led by certified art instructors.

The schedule includes a full day camp (ages 3 1/2 to 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.); half day camp (same ages, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), and an afternoon intensive art camp for ages 9 to 12 (1 to 3 p.m.). Click here for more information, or call 203-222-7070.

Fun at Camp MoCA.

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The Westport Book Shop’ February guest artist is Niki Ketchman.

All month at the used book store on Jesup Road, she’s exhibiting pieces from her “Resination” series. That’s a play on words like “resonations,” “resolutions,” “renovations” and “realizations” In addition, each piece is created with resin.

Niki Ketchman and her work, at the Westport Book Shop.

The next Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading is the thriller “Murder by Misadventure,” by Edward Taylor. It’s set for a live audience on February 21 (7 p.m.) The performance will be available too for on-demand streaming at home, from February 24 to February 27.

Script in Hand play readings offer intimate storytelling, as professional actors bring the words to life without sets or costumes.

Tickets for the live event are $20. Patrons must be masked and show proof of vaccination. Tickets for on-demand streaming are $20 individual, $40 pair and $80 household. Each purchase entitles the buyer to an individual link. Click here for tickets, call(203-227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.

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The Westport Astronomical Society explores Venus — from the comfort of everyone’s home.

The next free online lecture is “The DAVINCI Mission to Mars.” NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Dr. Giada Nichole Arney does the honors on February 15 (8 p.m.).

Click here for the Zoom link; click here for the YouTube link.

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“Westport … Naturally” has featured plenty of swans. This may be the first appearance, though, of buffleheads. Matt Murray captured them — by camera, anyway — at Sherwood Mill Pond.

(Photo/Matt Murray)

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And finally: It’s the Chinese New Year — the Year of the Tiger!

Could Better Fertilizer Save The Sound?

David Jones is a 1971 Staples High School graduate. He writes:

Sitting at my post as a Compo Beach lifeguard 50 years ago, water pollution — or anything to do with climate change — was not on my radar. All I thought about was what time do I get off my shift, and when can I get to Ye Olde Bridge Grille?

I spent hours looking at Long Island Sound as a job, never realizing how beautiful it was.

Half a century later, I am all about protecting Mother Earth.

David Jones

A while ago, I was approached with an idea: What if we got rid of traditional granular fertilizer that is filled with chemicals and salts, and has the capacity to blow up half of Beirut (which it did)?

It was an interesting concept. I am now on the advisory board of NTP Technologies. We can save our planet.

Our machine injects pure nitrogen into tap water, creating a fertilizer with no “icky” stuff,

I got a D- in chemistry at Staples. But I realize that no fertilizer runoff in your water tables, aquifers and of course Long Island Sound is a very good thing.

Right now we have a patent and orders on the books. But we need investors, to build out our manufacturing and scalability.

My neighbor Paul Newman used to say, “you only go around once. Do the right thing.” Let’s do this right, Westport!

(To learn more, email djones@NTPtechnologies.com, or call David Jones: 401-500-3256.)

 

Roundup: Closures, Mrs. London’s Bakery, Jazz & Java …

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You don’t need to be a weatherman to know that nearly everything in Westport — the Library, Y, you name it — is closed today.

Local to Market has also postponed tomorrow’s Cloudy Lane Bakery event, scheduled for Sunday. A new date will be announced soon.

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The long-awaited Mrs. London’s Bakery — successor to Aux Delices, Java, Wild Pear, Chef’s Table, and a few other places I’ve probably forgotten on Church Lane, at the foot of Elm Street — will open next month.

“Hopefully for Valentine’s Day,” says Max London. His parents started the now-famous original Mrs. London’s Bakery in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the 1970s.

Nearly a year ago — on February 25, 2021 — “06880” broke the news about the 2nd location. I wrote:

He (she?) feature pastries, baguettes, croissants, grilled sandwiches, paninis, salads, quiches, soups, “decadent desserts,” espressos and teas. Ingredients are organic, locally grown and sourced.

Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for Il Pastaficio — “artisanal pasta” and more, around the corner on the Post Road and announced in the same story — to open.

(Click here for a full CT Examiner story on Mrs. London’s Bakery’s Westport location.)

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Homelessness is a national issue — even in Fairfield County.

And even in Westport.

We’re fortunate that many dedicated organizations and individuals are addressing the problem.

Helen McAlinden — CEO of Homes With Hope — also co-chairs the Opening Doors Fairfield County Advocacy Taskforce. On Monday (January 31, 8:30 a.m.), they host a roundtable information session including breakout discussion groups.

Interested residents can learn more about legislative priorities, and how to help our most vulnerable neighbors.

Click here to register, and for more information.

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Jazz aficionados know the best clubs — places many others have never heard of.

They were out in force Thursday night, at the Staples High School cafeteria. Phil Giampietro’s Jazz Ensemble hosted a “Jazz & Java” night.

Well, okay — most of the attendees were parents and friends of the very talented young musicians. COVID kept the crowd small.

But — thanks to this very talented group — the joint was jumpin’!

Just a small section of Staples’ Jazz Ensemble. (PHoto/Allison Ginzburg)

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Speaking of arts: Two new exhibits opened last night at MoCA.

“The Westport Idea” features selections from WestPAC holdings of more than 2,000 artworks. Most of these works are housed in public schools and municipal buildings, not always accessible to the public.

The Museum’s annual high school exhibition features nearly 200 compelling works focused on the theme of “Identity,” created by student artists from across Connecticut and Westchester.

The exhibitions are on view through March 12 (weather permitting, duh). Free docent-led tours are available, and free supporting Cocktails and Conversation events will be held on Thursday evenings. Click here to learn more.

Staples High School junior Sophie Spheeris, a 17-year-old junior from Staples, with her artwork “Us and Them.” It’s the collage of the woman, on the left.

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The recent death of Meat Loaf — followed a few days later by Jim Ryan‘s passing — sent Kathleen Dehler looking for a photo.

She found it. In 1988, the 2 men joined her husband Will Dehler as coaches of their daughters’ Westport softball team, the Rebels.

“What wonderful memories!” Kathleen says. “And so sad that Meat and Jim are no longer with us.”

Meat Loaf (left), Jim Ryan (right) and Will Dehler (center), with the Rebels.

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Congratulations to Westport’s 9 Presidential Scholar candidates.

Nomination for the prestigious program is a high honor for high school seniors. Selections are made on superior academic and artistic achievement, leadership, strong character, and involvement in school and community activities. The program is run by the US Department of Education.

The Westporters include Staples High School’s Aidan Mermagen, Tessa Moore, Chloe Nevas, Konur Norbert, Nicholas Prior and Julian Weng, and Hopkins School’s Will Cooper, Max Gordon and Finnbar Kiely.

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Hours before the snow began, William Webster captured this “Westport … Naturally” image of what he believes is an immature eagle, 100 yards across the Saugatuck River.

“The beak looks right,” he says, “and the front feathers are starting to turn white.”

(Photo/William Webster)

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And finally … on this day in 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union, as our 34th state. Years of controversy led up to the event: Would it be a free state, or a slave state? Abolitionists prevailed.

But less than 3 months later, the Civil War began.

 

 

 

Roundup: Playhouse Interns, Livestreams, ADL …

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In 1946 — just 15 years after its founding — the Westport Country Playhouse established an internship program. Among its graduates: a kid named Stephen Sondheim.

Now nationally recognized as a formative experience for aspiring arts professionals, it’s named for another Westport icon: Joanne Woodward.

This summer — after a 2-year COVID hiatus — the Joanne Woodward Internship Program returns live. Internships in stage management, props/scenic painting, wardrobe, marketing, company management, education, and development will run from May 28 to August 21.

In addition to working directly with senior staff, interns participate in weekly seminars. They hear a variety of guest speakers, including Playhouse staff members, visiting designers and artists, commercial producers and more. The pay is $560 a week.

The application deadline is March 11. Click here for the form.

Stephen Sondheim (crouching, top of photo), during his 1950 internship. The photo was taken at the Jolly Fisherman restaurant. Also in the photo: future film director Frank Perry (front row, left) and Richard Rodgers’ daughter Mary (2nd row, 4th from left).

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Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice says:

“Given the rapid drop in COVID cases among our middle and high school students, and the small number of students in quarantine, we will return to regular classroom instruction, and discontinue the use of live-streaming cameras.

“The last day of livestreaming cameras in our secondary classrooms will be tomorrow (Friday, January 28). Pending additional cases or quarantine, there will be zero Staples High and Coleytown Middle students in isolation or quarantine after today, and only 5 students in isolation and 2 in quarantine at Bedford Middle School.

“We will continue to peel back mitigating measures prudently, based on our local experience and input from public health advisors.”

No Coleytown Middle School students in isolation or quarantine!

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ADL’s Connecticut chapter is a national leader in the fight against antisemitism and bigotry.

And — like its previous director — its new leader is a Westporter.

Stacey Sobel succeeds Steve Ginsburg. Most recently, she spent nearly a decade as executive director of Child Advocates of Connecticut, serving abused and neglected children.

As a volunteer, Sobel was president of Temple Israel, and president of Westport’s Hadassah chapter.

Sobel also was in private law practice, and served in the general counsel’s office of Continental Can Company. The Long Island native l is a graduate of Lafayette College, and Boston University School of Law.

Stacey Sobel

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TAP — the personal wellness team in downtown Westport — and Fleet Feet are partnering on the weekend of February 4-6. TAP members get 10% off merchandise at the running store.

In other words: Work out. “Run” across the street to Sconset Square. Then pick up something special for your valentine a week later.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows a barren — but beautiful — Sherwood Island scene.

I’m betting that 48 hours from now, it will look quite different.

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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And finally … on this date in 1880 Thomas Edison received a patent for his incandescent lamp.