Category Archives: Unsung Heroes

Unsung Hero #431

Posted on April 25, 2026 | 6 comments

Christy Colasurdo writes:

Wakeman Town Farm recently wrapped up a heartwarming lamb fostering program. It was created and run by Judy Panzer.

After reaching out to Bluebird Farm in Willington, Judy welcomed 4 2-week-old lambs to the farm.

Over the course of 6 weeks, Judy and a volunteer team nurtured them with bottle feedings 4 times a day, while inviting the community to spend time helping feed and socialize the lambs.

Judy Panzer and friend.

Visitors of all ages engaged directly with the lambs, creating meaningful, hands-on connections with farm life.

The program brought joy to many, raised substantial money to support farm education programs, and most importantly, gave the lambs a strong, healthy start.

After 6 weeks at Wakeman Town Farm they moved on to their forever homes as happy, well-adjusted and irresistibly adorable young lambs.

Judy developed and ran this program, which provided lamb cuddles to several hundred local residents this spring.  We would love to recognize her efforts.

Done! Congratulations, Judy. You (and your fellow volunteers are true unsung heroes!

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #430

Posted on April 16, 2026 | 3 comments

Alert — and civic-minded — “06880” reader Bob Weingarten writes:

Early yesterday morning, I saw that a stop sign at Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South was on the ground. It must have been knacked down during the night.

Rather then wait until it was repaired, I followed the adage, “If you see something, say something.”

Down — but not for long. (Photo/Bob Weingarten)

I called Joe Izzo of the Public Works Department at about 8:30, and left a message.

By early afternoon, the sign was back up.

I want to compliment the town for their rapid service, in this potential hazard situation.

PS “If you see something, say something” is something every Westporter should follow. 

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #429

Posted on April 8, 2026 | 4 comments

Lynn Goldberg writes:

I’d like to propose Ellen Lane as an Unsung Hero.

Ellen has run a knitting group for over 15 years, at the Center for Senior Activities. They meet weekly, and knits shawls for cancer patients.

Ellen drives the finished products to Susan Komen, and other cancer centers.

Yesterday, Ellen Lane’s knitting group thanked her for all she does …

Ellen is a volunteer who has created a wonderfully supportive atmosphere and sense of community with the knitting group.

She brings in a cake once a month for group birthdays, and supplies yarn to those who need it. Members thrive on their conversations, while creating contributions to people undergoing treatments.

… and gathered for a group photo.

Former Senior Center director Sue Pfister calls Ellen “a gem.” She said Ellen is a very kind and caring person, who provides rides to knitting if needed, calls if someone is sick, and checks to see why they are absent.

Many other Senior Center friends echo Lynn and Sue’s praises. Thank you, Ellen — and congratulations on being a true Unsung Hero, for so many!

One of many shawls that Ellen’s group knits. She delivers them to cancer patients. (Photos courtesy of Molly Alger)

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #428

Posted on April 2, 2026 | 6 comments

Lindsay Kerschner writes:

I would like to nominate Jon Janik — the head pro at the Longshore golf course — for this week’s Unsung Hero Award.

Tee time reservations opened this morning at 6:30. The team migrated to a new booking system yesterday afternoon.

It’s been a challenging transition. But Jon’s patience and persistence have been truly appreciated.

He emailed back and forth with me for several hours yesterday. He did not stop until he was able to get both my husband’s and son’s accounts functioning properly. He worked well past regular hours — until almost 9 p.m., in fact.

Jon Janik

Thank you, Jon, for going above and beyond to help ensure opening weekend runs smoothly, and is filled with happy memories.

PS: Thank you to “068800” too, for highlighting Unsung Heroes. The writeups are a great reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a community that recognizes the selfless efforts of others.

Thanks, Lindsay. In the grand scheme of things, a golf pro who goes the extra mile is a little thing. But, as you note, the little things add up to a big part of what makes Westport special. So thank you too, Jon Janik, for all that you and your staff at the Longshore golf course do, for so many.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #427

Posted on March 25, 2026 | 7 comments

A grateful “06880”  reader — who asks to remain anonymous — writes:

My family would like to nominate Frank Calise from Westport Plumbing for the 06880 “Unsung Hero” award.

Our hot water heater started leaking recently. Frank — the owner — immediately sprang into action, answering our questions and guiding us by phone throughout the ordeal.

Then he came over, to pump water from the heater to the outside to prevent flooding in our basement.  We loved the personal touch.

This is quality customer service that is rare these days.

The replacement work the next day was quick and seamless.

We were very impressed, and very satisfied.

Congratulations, Frank! You are our Unsung Hero — today, and every day.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #426

Posted on March 18, 2026 | 3 comments

Appreciative “06880” reader Susan Garment writes:

I nominate Vanessa Hurta for the 06880 “Unsung Hero” award.

Vanessa is director of clinical services at the Aspetuck Health District. While a lot of her work happens behind the scenes, she made a huge difference for my husband and me recently.

We’re preparing for a trip to Africa, which involves a lot of health logistics.

Vanessa did not just hand us a standard checklist of shots and send us on our way. She sat with us, and patiently walked us through every vaccination and medication we might need.

What really blew us away was her thoroughness. She actually reached out to our own doctors to make sure nothing she was recommending would conflict with our personal medical histories. That kind of proactive coordination saved us so much stress, and made us feel genuinely looked after.

It is easy to forget what a resource we have at 180 Bayberry Lane. Beyond travel health, Vanessa leads a team that handles everything from routine screenings to free blood pressure checks.

Vanessa Hurta, inspecting a tick.

Their public health nurse, Rhea Britt, even goes out to vaccinate homebound neighbors who cannot make it into the office.

The Aspetuck Health District is also the ones tracking local disease trends, and handling those urgent tick identifications that everyone in Westport worries about this time of year. (Reminder to neighbors: If you find a deer tick, they can help  get the info you need for Lyme prophylaxis within that 72-hour window).

Whether she’s giving a community talk on tick safety or personally reconciling a traveler’s medications, Vanessa’s dedication is obvious. She is exactly the kind of person who keeps this town running smoothly, without ever asking for a spotlight. I would love to see her get the recognition she deserves.

She’s got it! Thanks, Susan — and congratulations, Vanessa. Whether they realize how you’ve helped them or not, the entire “06880” thanks you.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #425

Posted on March 11, 2026 | 5 comments

Janine Scotti sent us this email, which came to her from a friend:

I want to share my heartfelt appreciation for Brian Marazzi, director of membership at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

He has been incredibly kind and compassionate toward me and my family.

Brian Marazzi

When I applied for a Y scholarship, he went above and beyond to guide us every step of the way. He took time to answer all of our questions, explain the details clearly, and make what could have been a stressful experience feel manageable and supportive.

Because of Brian’s dedication and generosity of spirit, our family has been able to participate in programs that mean so much to us. His commitment reflects the very best of what the Westport Y stands for.

We are deeply grateful for his help, and for the positive impact he has made on our family.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Heroes #424

Posted on March 4, 2026 | 1 comment

This has been quite a winter, for everyone.

Big snowstorms, freezing temperatures — it’s almost like we live in New England.

Adding to all this are frequent — 5, so far — snow days for the Westport Public Schools.

Some were no-brainers. Some were head-scratchers.

All forced parents and caregivers to improvise.

Okay, kids: Let’s have a Harry Potter party!

Work has had to be reconsidered, reconfigured, rejiggered. Plans have been made, changed, rearranged.

Kids have had to be entertained. Lunches have had to be cooked. Siblings have had to be soothed and separated.

If you are a parent or caregiver this winter — wow! You’ve been through a lot.

“06880” salutes you, as our Unsung Heroes of the Week.

Because god knows, your children will not thank you — at least, not yet — for all you do.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Heroes #423

Posted on February 25, 2026 | 6 comments

Two days after the Blizzard of 2026, this one’s a no-brainer.

Our Department of Public Works was all over that snow.

Manning 17 trucks — each filled with 8 tons of sand and salt — they cleared over 120 miles of town streets, making multiple trips over 48 hours.

They’re also responsible for clearing 24 miles of sidewalks, though that will take longer.

Before the first flakes fell, they even took time to record this video, explaining what they do, and how they do it.

First responders were on high alert too. They were ready for anything, and everything.

As soon as the snow stopped falling, firefighters fanned out. They began shoveling around hydrants. It’s a job residents should do — but our Fire Department makes certain it gets done.

Here’s a typical scene, from Center Street:

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

Bottom line: We knew there would be a blizzard.

It came.

But thanks to our amazing Highway Department, DPW and Fire Department, we’re already back close to normal.

Our entire town’s hats are off to you, for your amazing work.

Now get some rest!

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PS: This just in from Kevin Desjardins, moments before we posted the story above:

“I’d like to nominate all the people who have taken time to plow a path (no matter how small) along the sidewalks in front of their houses.

“While residents are not obligated to do so, this act of kindness for the community is greatly appreciated, and provides temporary safe walking conditions until the DPW crews can finish clearing the sidewalks.

“It’s acts like these that make me feel like  🎶 We’re all in this together 🎶…. even if it is just my morning commute to work!”

Myrtle Avenue sidewalk. (Photo/Kevin Desjardins)

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Hero #422

Posted on February 18, 2026 | 6 comments

Stephanie Mastocciolo writes:

When Staples High School said that the deadline to submit senior baby pictures to the yearbook was the next day, I said to myself, “I have hundreds!”

Then I read the specifications of what and how to submit, and felt lost.

Of course I had plenty of recent ready-to-download-and-send photos of my daughter’s toddler and teenage years. But I remembered that all of our actual baby pictures from 2008 are stored on CD-ROMs.

Remember these?

So I turned to the younger generation: my children. My puzzled and confused high schooler and middle-schooler) asked, “CD what?!” They could not help.

Having recently moved to a new home within Westport, our old desktop computer was still in a box somewhere.

We all use laptops. None has an external CD drive.

The deadline was near. All I had was a CD, and some physical photos in family albums. The instructions specified “no low resolution pictures of a picture.”

I thought the Westport Library must have a CD drive, where I could upload my picture to send to the yearbook.

I drove over with an hour until deadline, and headed to the computers. All I saw were USB ports.

I walked over to the reference department. Michelle Fleisher listened to my problem, then sprang into action.

Help!

She didn’t know if she could help. But she called to find answers.

Within minutes, a man appeared — with an external CD drive. He said I could sign it out, to take home.

Michelle insisted we try it right there, and connected the device. She walked me through each step.

I am not the most technologically savvy person. But I learned something new.

I want to thank Michelle. She not only answered a simple question; she also offered patience, a friendly attitude, and a willingness to assist, teach and guide me.

She went above and beyond. I submitted my child’s baby photo in the correct format, on time — and was even able to store all my images to an updated digital folder, for future use.

Saved from a CD — and submitted on time. 

Thank you, Michelle. The Westport Library is lucky to have you!

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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