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Remembering Sherry Jagerson

Posted on May 29, 2024 | 12 comments

Westport resident and wide-ranging civic volunteer Sheryl (“Sherry”) Jagerson died Sunday, after a long illness. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at her longtime Nash Pond home. She was 80 years old.

Her family says, “Sherry led an extraordinary life, filled with adventure, curiosity and a deep love for her family, the environment and her community. Her inquisitive spirit, unflagging positivity and sense of wonder inspired those in her orbit, and leave a lasting legacy.”

Young Sherry Jagerson

Sherry graduated from Long Beach State University, in the city where she was raised.

She grew up body surfing and water skiing, the foundation for her enduring love of the ocean and outdoors.

Sherry married Gordon Todd Jagerson in 1964. They and their 3 children moved to Connecticut in 1972.

Though she and Todd divorced, they remained lifelong friends and co-parents. Over the next 50 years Sherry raised 2 generations. She was a gracious host to many in her unique log cabin, set against the beauty of Nash Pond.

Sherry was a sailor and captain. She worked for many years in the sailing industry, and as an entrepreneur. After an early stint at North Sails and Ockam Instruments, she started Jagerson Sail Loft. She made and repaired sails for 10 years.

Later she created Women’s Sailing Adventures, a business teaching women open-ocean sailing in Maine, the San Juan Islands, the Caribbean and New Zealand.

Sherry Jagerson, at sea.

Sherry was an ocean sailing veteran at a time when it was rare for women to crew ocean races. She competed in several Bermuda Races, a transatlantic race, and survived the harrowing 1979 Fastnet race. She was also a first mate, sailing for Sea Education Association (SEA) out of Woods Hole.

Sherry was an avid hiker too, leading family outings on the Appalachian Trail for many years.

Sherry Jagerson with her daughter, Stacy Fowle.

In her later years Sherry became an activist for many causes, focused on water, nature and her community.

She was a steward for Nash Pond. She helped create the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve, on the site of the former Allen’s Clam House.

Sherry Jagerson was a driving force behind development of the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.

Sherry led one of the first initiatives to ban plastic bags in the country. She created the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, helped found the Westbridge Coalition, was a founding board member for United with Kenya, and served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.

Sherry is survived by her children Stacy (Andy) Fowle, Wendy (Max) Teleki and Gordon “Ty” Jagerson (Elisa); grandchildren Adelaide, Clementine, Jasper, Ayla, Tibor, Taj, Ava, Naoma and Huck; former husband Todd Jagerson, and siblings William J. Gillis II and Patricia Shephard.

A celebration of Sherry’s life, open to the community, is set for Saturday, June 15 (1:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport).

In lieu of flowers, Sherry would have wanted people to donate or give time to their favorite environmental organization. Those Sherry supported included Harbor Watch, Sierra Club, Earthplace and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Sherry Jagerson (blue), surrounded by her children, grandchildren and in-laws.

12 Comments

Posted in Environment, Obituaries

Tagged Nash Pond, Sherry Jagerson, Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve, Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport

[OPINION] Leaf Blower Ordinance: RTM Environment Chair Clears The Air

Posted on May 29, 2024 | 39 comments

Ellen Lautenberg is a Representative Town Meeting member from District 7, and chair of the RTM’s Environment Committee.

She has watched with interest the debate over implementation of Westport’s Gas Leaf Blower Ordinance. She writes:

After reading the comments on “06880” about how one unfortunate result of the gas leaf blower ban that took effect May 15 was that people are yelling at landscapers, I want to correct some possible misconceptions.

First, it was created by its sponsors to reduce the health and environmental hazards of gas-powered blowers — namely air pollution and carcinogens — and secondarily, the level of noise.

Screenshot

It allows for electric leaf blowers to be used instead. It is not a noise ordinance. That is a separate issue that would need to be addressed by a new ordinance. In addition, remember that electric blowers make noise too — just not quite as much as gas blowers.

Second, it is being implemented from May 15 to October 15 purposely, because there is minimal need for leaf or grass blowing then, compared to the fall.

This allows landscapers to get used to the process of purchasing and using electric blowers on a smaller scale, as a transition to hopefully using them more year round.

In part, this is due to the electric equipment still not being as inexpensive and efficient as the gas-powered version, but that is changing gradually. The timing was in response to landscapers’ concerns.

A noisy gas-powered leaf blower …

Third, it is not the landscapers’ responsibility, but that of the homeowner to make sure their landscapers know about the ordinance.

Nor is it designed to punish homeowners or landscapers. It would be impossible for the town to know every landscape company that works in Westport, and to enforce the operation of literally dozens of companies.

The Conservation Department is doing their best to respond to calls, but their ability to truly enforce something of this magnitude is limited. This will hopefully make homeowners and landscapers more aware and encourage them to utilize electric options.

Fourth, the ordinance also limited the hours that electric leaf blowers may be used during the summer months to between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., to at least provide some relief before and after those times.

In essence, it was intended as a step in the right direction to protect the health and well-being of residents and landscapers as well as the environment, not as a totally comprehensive long-term plan.

As most people know, big transitions take time, and no perfect plan will satisfy everyone. We hope that as more landscaping equipment becomes easier to get in electric form, this will lead to fewer gas-powered items being used.

… and an electric leaf blower.

Here is the relevant portion of the ordinance:

42-103. Regulation of leaf blower activity.

Electric-powered leaf blowers may be used during the approved hours on all properties within the town.

Beginning on May 15, 2023, gas-powered leaf blowers may not be used on any state or federal holiday.

Beginning on May 15, 2024, gas-powered leaf blowers may not be used during summer.

The use of gas-powered leaf blowers and electric-powered leaf blowers shall be permitted for storm condition clean-up, emergency situations affecting the health or safety of residents, and snow removal operations.

The provisions of this article shall not apply to the use of leaf blowers on state- or town-owned property, or on any property in excess of 20 acres except residential communities, or the use of leaf blowers by public utilities.

(“06880” covers local politics, the environment, and just about everything else in town. If you appreciate our hyper-local work, please click here to donate. Thank you!)

39 Comments

Posted in Environment, Local politics

Tagged electric leaf blowers, Ellen Lautenberg, gas-powered leaf blower, Representative Town Meeting

Pic Of The Day #2597

Posted on May 28, 2024 | 4 comments

Another Starbucks morning (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

4 Comments

Posted in Local business, Pic of the Day

Tagged Starbucks

Library Books Billie Jean King For The Evening

Posted on May 28, 2024 | 3 comments

The Westport Library has served up some big names at Booked For the Evening, its signature fundraising event.

Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Patti Smith, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Addario, Ron Chernow, Alan Alda, Justin Paul, Itzhak Perlman and Shonda Rhimes are just some of the honorees over the past quarter century.

This year’s 25th anniversary event features another true ace: Billie Jean King.

Billie Jean King

The tennis legend and social justice pioneer will be celebrated in the Trefz Forum on Thursday, September 12. She’ll chat with Chris McKendry, a Westport resident and host for ESPN’s tennis coverage. Tickets go on sale next month.

King will be at the Library just days after the US Open. Its grounds were named in her honor in 2006.

Library executive director Bill Harmer calls King’s appearance “especially significant. Her unparalleled achievements and unwavering dedication to equality and justice resonate deeply with the values our library and community.

“This silver anniversary is a time to reflect on our shared commitment to fostering knowledge, inclusivity, and progress, and there is no one more fitting to inspire us than Billie Jean King. Her enduring impact on sports and society makes her a beacon of hope and change. We are thrilled to celebrate her remarkable legacy with our community.”

“Booked for the Evening” annually honors a person whose work reflects the purpose of the Library: :to nurture a love of learning and to enhance our understanding of the world.” King exemplifies that mission.

The International Tennis Hall of Famer won a remarkable 39 Grand Slam titles. She finished Number 1 in the world 5 times.

Yet for her all accomplishments on the court, she is best known today for championing equality and fairness, in sport and society.

Her victory over Bobby Riggs in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” was a seminal moment in professional sports. It followed years of her work, championing equality.

In 1970 she launched the Virginia Slims Tour — the first professional tennis tour for women — and in 1971 became the first female athlete to earn more than $100,000.

As founder and first president of the Women’s Tennis Association, she won the fight for equal prize money. The US Open became the first major tournament to offer the same prize money to both men and women.

In 2009, President Obama awarded King the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy work on behalf of women and the LGBTQ community. She was the first female athlete to receive the award.

In 2014 she founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the critical issues required to achieve diverse, inclusive leadership in the workforce.

In 2021, she received the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, the magazine’s highest honor.

Fitting for the Booked occasion, King has a library named after her, in her hometown of Long Beach, California.

“I believe in the power of dreaming big and never giving up,” King said, adding separately, “The legacy I would like to leave is that it’s OK to be yourself, and it’s OK to be different.”

(For more information on “Booked for the Evening,” click here.)

3 Comments

Posted in Library, Politics, Sports

Tagged "Booked for the Evening", Bill Harmer, Billie Jean King

Fine Arts Festival: 4 Portraits

Posted on May 28, 2024 | Comments Off

“06880” interns Jolie Gefen and Talia Varsano spent Sunday downtown, at the 51st annual Westport Fine Arts Festival.

They found plenty of interesting art — and artists. Here are 4 of their favorites, and the artists’ stories that give depth to the broad appeal of this popular show.

Jolie and Talia write:

At art festivals, Julia Gilmore is known for her red lipstick, pearls, fancy outfits — and her vibrant oil paintings.

Ever since she was a child, she has been passionate about painting.

“Everyone on the planet knows exactly what they want to be by the age of 7, but then we forget to listen to that,” she says.

“It was a long trip to get back to that, but it’s my passion.”

Gilmore describes her paintings as “hip and contemporary” — something she feels Westport has appreciated.

Julia Gilmore, with her favorite painting.

She says, “Even though I’m using some retro objects, my art is punchy. It has a little bit of edge, and Westport gets that.”

“It’s a very educated audience that has a spot-on understanding for the bit of tongue-in-cheek in my art.”

Gilmore “feels goosebumps” after enthusiastic customer reviews.

And, she says, she prioritizes “100% joy” as the message behind her art.

(Click here for Julia Gilmore’s website.)

More of Julia Gilmore’s art.

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Hailing from the coast of Maine, Anita Roelz arrived at the Westport Fine Arts Festival for her third year of displaying nature-inspired jewelry.

She uses 3 techniques — hammers, torches and grinding — to develop her textured jewelry.

“I’m a texture lover,” she notes.

Anita Roelz, with her jewelry.

Though she has a distance to travel, she says the relationships formed with customers here make it worthwhile.

She says, “Last year, I sold my first divorce ring.”

The customer returned this year. “She bought herself another treat. It was very empowering for her.”

(Click here for Anita Roelz’s website.)

Anita Roelz’s hand-crafted necklaces.

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After 5 decades as a sculptor, David Bryce embraces every step in his artistic process.

Bryce draws inspiration from Asian cultures and the Baroque period. His booth was one of the most eye-catching at the Festival.

David Bryce, with his sculptures.

After starting his career making furniture, Bryce recognizes that finding a passion is not a direct path.

However, he says, “If you follow your nose long enough, you get where you’re supposed to be.”

Each of Bryce’s pieces is intentionally mounted and named.

Pointing to a specific sculpture, Bryce says, “that one’s called ‘Grace’ because I think she’s at peace.”

“Grace,” by David Bryce.

While some shows are unsuccessful, he remains “pathologically optimistic” for the shows where he “kills it.”

“You can’t just give it up,” he says.

(Click here for David Bryce’s website.)

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After earning a writing degree in China, Kevin Liang immigrated to America 40 years ago.

Soon after, he began his career as a painter.

Liang commutes from New York to Westport for the Fine Arts Festival, year after year.

“This is a very established show,” he says.

Kevin Liang, with a large piece of art …

Intertwining his heritage with a passion for writing and art, Liang creates small oil prints on rice paper, each attached to an original poem.

Although his oil paintings mirror scenes of nature, Liang draws deeper inspiration.

“I don’t paint the location. I don’t paint the photo. I’m painting my emotions,” he says.

“I call it my poetic landscape.”

(Click here for Kevin Liang’s website.)

… and smaller prints of landscapes and Chinese calligraphy, with original poems. (All photos/Talia Varsano)

Comments Off on Fine Arts Festival: 4 Portraits

Posted in Arts, Downtown

Tagged Jolie Gefen, Talia Varsano, Westport Downtown Association, Westport Fine Arts Festival

Roundup: Float Winners, Baseball Winners, Scholarship Winners …

Posted on May 28, 2024 | Comments Off

Wrapping up yesterday’s great — and weather-dodged — Memorial Day parade:

For the first time since the Spanish-American War, the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston did not win the “Best Float” award.

There’s a good reason: They were concerned that rain might damage their power connections.

Congratulations to the VFW: the new winner of the “Best Float” competition.

Other winners were:

Best Youth Group: Westport Little League
Best Community Organization: Staples High School and Bedford/Coleytown Middle School Marching Bands (tie)
Most Colorful Float: Westport Garden Club.

Congratulations to all!

The winning float. (Photo courtesy of Patty Kondub)

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Our Memorial Day parade is timeless.

Don’t believe me? Check out this video, sent by Mark Comden.

From 1960.

PS: He’s one of the little kids shown in the home movie.

Sure, a few things have changed. The real estate office is gone from the Riverside Avenue/Post Road West corner.

The fire truck that looked so modern in the last year of the Eisenhower administration might have been one of the “vintage” vehicles in yesterday’s parade.

But so much else is so familiar.

And probably will be 64 years from now, at the 2088 parade.

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The Staples High School baseball team are winners on and off the field.

On Sunday, members spent a rare day off buddying with the Westport Winners program.

They were supporting youngsters with disabilities, as they played against (and partied with) the Fairfield Red Storm.

From left: Staples classmates Max Jossen, Harrison Putman and Mikey Linn.

Wrecker head coach Jack McFarland was there too.

It was a grand slam, for sure.

From left: Longtime buddy/player pair Connor Brill and Henry Cashen.

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Want to keep the Saugatuck River beautiful?

Everyone is welcome to join the Saugatuck Church community this Sunday (June 2, 12:30 p.m.), on a clean-up mission.

The meeting place is Riverside Park (427 Riverside Avenue).

The clean-up involves wading in the river. Bring a reusable water bottle, gloves, long sleeves, pants and close-toed shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.

To RSVP, and for questions, email Jberkowsky1@gmail.com.

Saugatuck River (Photo/Luisa Ismert)

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The Westport Police Benevolent Association Scholarship Foundation has awarded grants to 22 students attending college this fall.

Wilbur Scholarship applicants must be children of Westport Police Department officers, who have done community service and have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Recipients are Zoe Koskinas, Samuel and Jonathan Wolf, Madison and Gabrielle Hayes, Brandon Smith, Ava Wooldridge, Olivia and Grace Biagiotti, Sara Sabin, Samantha and Joseph Sabin, Meghan Velky, Jaden Aliberti, Emma and Jacqueline Kelley, Alexis Broderick, April and Edward Nowinski, and Zachary Benson.

The Foundation also awards Deputy Chief John Anastasia and Chief Bill Stefan Scholarships to Staples seniors who enter college in the fall to study law or a law enforcement-related field. The scholarships recognize both community relations and athletic accomplishments.

This year’s honorees are Kervin Joseph and and Juan Nieves, Jr.

The WPBA Scholarship Foundation thanks founders and principal donors Joan Poster and the late Dennis Poster.

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Staples High School’s Project Sunshine Club is part of a national organization that sends trained volunteers to visit children in hospitals nationwide and in Canada, Kenya and Israel.

The students are under 18, so they cannot volunteer themselves. Instead, the Staples club packs activity kits for children with medical challenges.

The 30 members plan a fundraiser that will appeal to many young people: a spikeball tournament. It’s set for June 15 at the Staples High School football field (noon).

Teams of 2 people can register, for just $20. There’s a $500 first prize.

All are welcome. Those who can’t attend (or are not spikeball players) are welcome to donate. Click here for the link to register and/or contribute.

PS: Staples’ Sunshine Club founder Max Saperstein has also helped start 17 similar clubs in high schools around the country. For information on how to start a Sunshine Club, email maxsaperstein@icloud.com.

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An intriguing show comes to Toquet Hall on June 7 (7 p.m.).

“Jackson Crash” is the creation of Jonathan Riedel. The artistic director of Riedel Dance Theater, and lead singer/songwriter of Rubber Skulls, embodies with pathos and irreverent humor a young man’s journey from bullying and parental neglect to discovering his queerness, starting a family, becoming a truck driver, and searching for his own identity -0 all while being chased by a ghost from his past.

After the 90-minute performance and refreshments, Riedel and 2 other creators the show will talk about the writing and development of the story, and how it relates to the audience’s lives.

The event is sponsored by Westport Pride. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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This week’s Jazz at the Post headliners are Harvie S. — a widely recorded bassist — and James Weidman, first call pianist for big names. They’re joined by fiery drummer Malik Washington and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.

Shows are Thursday, May 30, at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m., at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399. Dinner service begins at 7. The music cover is $20; $15 for veterans and students.

Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

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Every day, there’s a new bit of beauty to enjoy in Westport.

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene comes from Roseville Road:

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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And finally …

And finally … happy 79th birthday to John Fogerty. I’ve played tribute to his band — Creedence Clearwater Revival — and I will again. So today I’ll honor his solo work. (PS: Thanks again for that great Levitt Pavilion concert in 2017. I’m still smiling.)

Comments Off on Roundup: Float Winners, Baseball Winners, Scholarship Winners …

Posted in Entertainment, Police, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged Jazz at the Post, Max Saperstein, Project Sunshine, Saugatuck Church, Saugatuck River, Staples High School baseball, Westport Police Benevolent Association, Westport Pride, Westport Winners

School Safety Officers: First Year Draws Praise

Posted on May 28, 2024 | 5 comments

When it was first proposed several years ago, there was some pushback to the idea of a School Resource Officer at Staples High School.

Why, some people wondered, should a uniformed police officer walk the halls?

Today, the SRO is an integral part of Staples. Staff and students admire and trust “Officer Ed” Wooldridge.

He helps keep the school safe — and has been an important first responder in a few situations.

Just as importantly, he’s another resource for students with concerns about everything from mental health and social media to drugs, alcohol and sexual assault.

Nearly every student knows him. Their banter is easy. He’s a daily reminder that the Westport Police Department’s job is to make everyone feel more — not less — secure.

Staples’ School Resource “Officer Ed” Wooldridge.

A year ago, when Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice and Police Chief Foti Koskinas proposed adding 4 School Safety Officers, some Westporters again balked.

Why, they wondered, was a police presence needed around our elementary schools? What kind of message would that send? Was the expense worth it?

Nearly a year after the SSOs began patrolling parking lots and school perimeters; interacting with staff, students and parents; dealing with occasional incidents in and around 8 schools, their value is clear.

Even opponents agree: SSOs work.

Sgt. Sean Kelley oversees Westport’s School Safety Officer program.

In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre, Koskinas says, Westport schools and the police focused on safety measures like bollards, film on windows and numbers above outside doors. Then-superintendent Elliott Landon opposed a police presence inside schools.

His successor Colleen Palmer, and a different Board of Education, re-examined security issues, and proposed an SRO in every school. The Representative Town Meeting voted it down, by a very narrow margin.

In 2017 — as school shootings continued– an SRO for Staples was approved.

Then came Parkland and Uvalde. Scarice — the new superintendent — was familiar with the positive effects of a police presence in and around schools.

He, Koskinas and the Board of Education developed a plan to augment Wooldridge — Staples’ School Resource Officer — with 4 School Safety Officers.

Each would be responsible for 2 campuses: Staples/Bedford Middle School; Coleytown Middle/Elementary; Kings Highway/Saugatuck, and Long Lots/Greens Farms.

Their roles would include helping with student drop-offs and pick-ups; checking doors and perimeters; enforcing speed zones around schools; responding to emergencies, and being available for advice and guidance.

Part of the School Safety Officers’ job is managing traffic, like this that backs up on Post Road West at Kings Highway Elementary School. (Photo/Dick Lowenstein)

Choosing the 4 SSOs was a deliberate process. Koskinas did not want it to be a burdensome assignment; he wanted people who enjoyed being in a school environment.

The officers went through a lengthy interview process, and were vetted by the Board of Ed, and assistant superintendent for human resources John Bayers.

Sergeant Sean Kelley — who oversees the program — and Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson met with parent groups, to explain what SSOs would and would not do.

The School Safety Officers are Shane Pucci, Ned Batlin, Rachel Hall and Dennis Broderick.

The first year of the program has been very successful, say Koskinas, Kelley and school personnel.

SSOs have identified traffic choke points, helping vehicles move more smoothly in and around schools, and worked with administrators on communicating changes.

On Easton Road near the Coleytown schools, the SSO has made over 150 traffic stops.

One SSO covers the 2 Coleytown schools.

They make sure buildings are secure, and look for vulnerabilities that can be addressed.

Kelley — who earlier in his career worked in the youth division — calls the first year “a really good experience. The SSOs are definitely involved with schools and staffs. They’ve been integrated even more than I expected. There are lots of fist bumps every day.

“They’ve gotten to know the kids. They go to their plays, and other events.”

The SSOs have gotten to know parents too. “We get a lot of thank-you, and ‘we’re happy you’re here.'”

Bedford Middle School principal Dr. Adam Rosen says his school has “benefited substantially from the School Safety Office program.

Staples High School SRO Ed Wooldridge and Staples/Bedford Middle SSO Shane Pucci wear orange ribbons, to raise awareness of teen dating violence.

“Our SSO, Officer Shane Pucci, has quickly become a welcome and contributing member of the Bedford community.

“While he assists our students, staff and parents with school functions and campus operations, it’s when students invite him to play basketball with them during recess that demonstrates the positive connection and trust he’s engendered within our school community.”

Officer Batlin — the SSO at Long Lots and Greens Farms Elementary School — calls this “a fantastic year. The school staffs, the parents, and most importantly the students have been amazing.

Ned Batlin — shown here at the 4th of July fireworks — is a popular School Safety Officer at 2 schools.

“Initially they were very curious about me and my role on campus. Now, I’ve blended into being just another member.

“I love interacting with the kids. They have so many questions.

“Last weekend I was coaching my son’s Fairfield lacrosse team in a big tournament in New Canaan. A lot of Westport students came up and said hi. One of the dads I coach with said, ‘that’s so cool!'”

Officers Dennis Broderick (Coleytown Middle and Elementary School) and Rachel Hall (Saugatuck/Kings Highway).

“We threw a lot at them. They’ve really stepped up,” says Koskinas.

“We’ll never know what they deter,” he notes.

But what Koskinas, Kelley and the SSOs do know is this: They’ve found a place, in and around every school in town.

(“06880” covers Westport’s schools, Police Department, and much more. If you appreciate our hyper-local work, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

5 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Police, Staples HS

Tagged Ed Wooldridge, Officer Ned Batlin, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Police Sgt. Sean Kelley, School Safety Officers

Pic Of The Day #2596

Posted on May 27, 2024 | 3 comments

Happy Memorial Day! (Photo/Lou Weinberg)

3 Comments

Posted in Pic of the Day

Tagged dog, Memorial Day

Memorial Day Parade 2024: Gallery #4

Posted on May 27, 2024 | 1 comment

Thanks to all who sent photos of today’s Memorial Day parade.

This is (probably) the last gallery.

It was a great day. Huge props to Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, many other town employees, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 and American Legion August Mathias Post 63, for their very hard work to make this year’s event possible.

Bill Vornkahl is smiling on us all, for sure.