William “Bill” Frederick Vornkahl III died Friday. He was 93.
Born in Norwalk on August 14, 1930 to William F. Vornkahl, Jr. and Alice Gerrish and a lifelong Westporter, Bill remembered playing his trombone along the Post Road to celebrate the Allies’ victory in Japan in August 1945.
In 1948 he graduated from Staples High School. He worked as a bank teller before joining the Army and serving as a high-speed radio operator in the 1st Cavalry Division, 13th Signal Corps from 1952–54.
Bill spent 14 months on Hokkaido, Japan. He wrote letters to Linnea, his future wife, who he met on a blind date just prior to his overseas service.
Bill Vornkahl at last year’ Memorial Day parade ceremony. It was the 54th, and final one, he organized. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
After returning to Westport Bill married Linnea on May 15, 1954, and returned to work at Westport Bank & Trust. He retired as a branch manager in 1987. Bill spent the next 30+ years, until spring 2020, driving people to and from airports.
Bill spent countless hours serving Westport and the veteran community. He was a member of American Legion Post 63 and VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 for over 60 years.
He was a member/treasurer of Westport’s War Monument Committee from 1996–99, and of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting.
He was a Little League coach for both baseball and softball, and a volunteer on the sideline crew for the Staples High School football team for over 20 years.
Bill was secretary/treasurer of the Greens Farms Volunteer Fire Company since 1950, vice president/treasurer of Saugatuck Hose Company #4 since 1999, and president of Westport Volunteer Fire Company from 1973–93.
Bill was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame in 2013.
Bill Vornkahl, at the 2022 Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
In Westport, Bill is best known for being chair of the Westport Memorial Day Parade since 1970. Westporters who attend the parade remember him walking, then riding, at the end of the parade, in addition to hosting the post-parade ceremony.
Bill also ran the Westport Italian Festival Parade.
Bill and Linnea attended parades and went to national parks across the country. Highlights included the Rose Parade in California and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Bill visited all 50 states and drove in 49 of them, missing only Alaska.
He was an avid sports fan, particularly of the New York Giants, Rangers and Mets. Bill also enjoyed car racing, and took his family to the Danbury Fair Race Arena many Saturday nights.
Bill is survived by his children William Vornkahl IV (Diane), Susan Meineke (Richard), Ed Vornkahl, and Diane Malone (Joe), and grandchildren Allison, Kelly, Billy, Jennifer, Karalyn, Brian and Jamie. They will remember summers at Compo Beach, hamburgers on the grill, Super Bowl score prediction cakes, carving the Thanksgiving turkey, cats named Inky, and countless other memories.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Mary Linnea Vornkahl, sister Margaret Troll, and brother George Robert Vornkahl.
Calling hours are Thursday, February 1 (4-8 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 41 Easton Road, on Friday, February 2 (11 a.m). Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Bill Vornkahl talks with a veteran, at the 2018 Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Kat Soren)
Two weeks ago, our Photo Challenge bamboozled nearly every reader. Most thought it showed an American flag flying atop the former Patagonia (and even more former Westport Bank & Trust) building, where the Post Road and Church Lane converge.
But this past Sunday, those erroneous answers were correct. Our most recent Photo Challenge featured the alarm box from the old bank. It’s still there, on the back side, near what is now Pink Sumo restaurant. (Click here to see.)
Fred Cantor, Morley Boyd, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Andrew Colabella and Jack Backiel all answered correctly.
Here is this week’s Photo Challenge. Click “Comments” below if you know where in Westport you would see Fran Decker’s memorial plaque.
(Photo/Jay Dirnberger)
HINT: It’s not Patagonia/Westport Bank & Trust.
(If you enjoy this regular Sunday feature — or anything else on “06880” — please support our work, with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
Posted onJanuary 28, 2024|Comments Off on Roundup: Library Lobster Rolls, Artemis, “Walk On” …
Craig Geraghty promised “the best crab cakes and lobster rolls you’ve ever eaten … in a library” last night.
He did not disappoint.
The chef/caterer (Block Island Seafood Co.)/cooking demonstrator/comedian entertained a large crowd at the Westport Library.
Making food onstage (and shown behind him on the large, vivid screen), mixing it with patter about his Queens youth and recent move to this area — then offering up the 2 great dishes, prepared backstage by his (largely family) crew and served by Library staff members — he proved once again that when it comes to creative, informative programming, the Westport Library cooks up something new, every day of the year. (Hat tip: Stephanie Berghoff)
Just over 3 years ago, rising Fairfield Ludlowe High School junior Jake Panus was killed in a DUI crash on Block Island, Rhode Island. The football and lacrosse player was on vacation with his girlfriend and her family.
To help survive the tragedy, his father Stephen has written a book, “Walk On.” A portion of sales will benefit the Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship. Six college grants have already been awarded.
Local book signings and author talks include the Reef Shack (257 Reef Road, Fairfield; April 27, noon), Greenfield Congregational Church (April 30, 7 p.m.) and Pequot Library (May 23, 6 p.m.).
Arrtemis has lost its space on Post Road West. It will close at the end of January.
Much of the jewelry is 30% off.
Owner Deb Kondub thanks her “awesome” customers for their support over the past 12 years, and invites everyone to stop in. She hopes to relocate to a new space. (Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
Staples High School Class of 1970 graduate — and member of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s backup band — Harry Eisenberg died recently at his Black Rock home, with his wife Lori at his side. He was 71, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
His family says: “Harry was a special soul, an accomplished musician, a sharp dressed man, well-traveled, loved his grandchildren, fine dining, and cruising the backroads of Fairfield finding different routes.
“He was an avid New York Yankees fan, and Jeff Beck and Pat Martino were his idols. He loved working on his classic Mercedes cars, finishing the New York Times Saturday crossword puzzles, playing tennis, viewing ‘Jeopardy’ with Lori, and watching ‘We the People News’ on Rumble.
“He absolutely loved reading, always learning. Harry was self-educated in business, computer technology, auto mechanics, electricity, government/politics, history and music among other things. One of his favorite pastimes was feasting and enjoying the friendship at his favorite restaurant, Joseph’s Steak House in Bridgeport.”
At the age of 12, Harry wanted to be a rock star. He caddied at the Fairfield Country Club, which enabled him to pay for his musical interests. He played drums and guitar and started a band, The Water Boys. He sat in with many local bands, including Smoke.
In 1970-71, Harry landed a great opportunity to play with Elephant’s Memory, the back-up band for John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band.
In the 80’s, while playing softball in local leagues and bartending, Harry worked as a studio jazz guitarist and learned the music industry. Working with Sidney Bernstein, he found, promoted and produced new talent like Special EFX and Matt Simone.
While guitar was his passion, Harry left the industry to establish a business, Mazewerks, where he developed the Expo Manager software. He later sold the rights.
Living in Westport, Harry worked for Aperture as an application consultant engineer, and enjoyed traveling with his wife. After moving to Black Rock, he served as an assistant registrar for the city of Bridgeport.
In addition to his wife he is survived by his step-daughter Lana Starr, grandchildren Gizelle and Ellis, cousins Bill, Laurence, and Nancy Plotkin, Tatyana Stepanova, the Saya family, his dear friends Danny Saat, Victor Mendez and Joseph Vukusic, and many others.
Harry was predeceased by his brothers Robert and Daniel, uncle Nathaniel Plotkin, cousin Judith Shine and his saluki RA.
A private celebration of life will be held later.
Harry Eisenberg
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There was plenty of wildlife near Sherwood Mill Pond last week.
RB Benson reports a fox eating a goose, a coyote, and these guys tryin to blend in while meandering down Meadow Lane.
And finally … Herbert Coward died last week, in an automobile accident in North Carolina. He was 85.
You may not know his name. But he played the role of “Toothless Man” in “Deliverance,” the 1972 film with Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds and Ned Beatty that — more than 50 years after its release — continues to captivate (and scare the hell out of) anyone who saw it.
Toothless Man’s famous line — “He got a real purty mouth, ain’t he?” — was just one unforgettable scene. So was this scene, with an equally memorable character:
(Today’s weather may keep you indoors. No problem! You can pass the time by supporting “06880.” Just click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Library Lobster Rolls, Artemis, “Walk On” …
William F. Vornkahl III died Friday. He was 93 years old.
Westporters knew — and loved — him as “Bill.”
His other nickname was “Mr. Memorial Day.” For 54 years — ever since 1970 — he organized, orchestrated and led Westport’s annual parade.
It was an enormous undertaking. The moving parts — the marchers, the floats, the route, the ceremony on Veterans Green — were many, and daunting.
But it was a labor of love.
Bill Vornkahl was many things: a Korean War veteran, member of the Westport Veterans Council, volunteer firefighter, Little League coach, member of Staples High School football’s sideline crew.
He was a proud veteran, and an equally proud Westporter. He will be deeply and lovingly missed.
Bill Vornkahl, at last year’s Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Visitation is set for this Thursday (February 1, 4 to 8 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). Bill’s funeral is Friday (February 2, 11 a.m., St. Paul Church, Easton Road).
In 2018, “06880” honored Bill Vornkahl as our Unsung Hero. Here is that story:
On Monday, Westport celebrates Memorial Day.
We do it with one of the town’s most popular and beloved events of the year: a fun, wonderful and wide-ranging parade, followed by a solemn yet uplifting ceremony across from Town Hall.
It’s a huge undertaking. Hundreds of town employees and volunteers pitch in to make it all work. It seems effortless, but it’s anything but.
None of it would happen, though, without the leadership of Bill Vornkahl.
This will be the Westporter’s 49th year at the helm. When he started in 1970, the parade may have included Spanish-American War veterans. Today there are only a few who served in World War II.
Vornhkahl — now 88 years old — is a Korean War vet. He spent 14 months on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, working as a high-speed radio operator in the 1st Cavalry Division.
In 2013, he was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
Bill Vornkahl
Vornkahl has been a member of the Westport Veterans Council even longer than he’s run the parade: 57 years.
From 1996 to ’99 he was treasurer of Westport’s War Monument Committee, helping place memorials to various wars on Veterans Green.
He joined the Greens Farms Volunteer Fire Company in 1950. He’s served as secretary/treasurer of both that company and Saugatuck Hose Company #4, and as president of the Westport Volunteer Fire Company from 1973 to ’93.
He coached Little League for more than 20 years, and for over a decade was part of the Staples High School football sideline crew.
Vornkahl has dedicated his life to Westport. Of all he’s done, the Memorial Day parade is his special passion. He makes sure it all happens flawlessly.
In 2015, Bill Vornkahl and 3 Girl Scout Daisies recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Of course, the one thing he can’t control is the weather. The last 2 years, predictions of rain have canceled the parade, and moved the ceremonies indoors.
You may have seen him inside Town Hall, introducing the color guard, bands and speakers.
This Monday, we all hope he’ll be outdoors on Veterans Green, doing the same.
He’ll be busy — as he has been every Memorial Day since 1970. So now is the best time to thank him for all he does.
Veterans usually don’t like honors. But Bill Vornkahl is a true Unsung Hero.
In 2020, COVID canceled Westport’s Memorial Day parade.
But our town did not forget its veterans — or Bill Vornkahl. “06880” That day, “06880” reported:
This might have been a lonely Memorial Day for Bill Vornkahl.
As “06880” reported this morning, the 90-year-old Korean War veteran recently lost his wife of 65 years.
And this year — for the first time in the 50 years he has organized Westport’s annual parade and tribute to fallen service members — the entire event was canceled, due to COVID.
But his family arranged a socially distanced cookout in the driveway of his Cross Highway home.
And in mid-morning — just like every year at Town Hall — Vornkahl heard “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Taps.”
Nick Rossi sings the national anthem.
The national anthem was sung stirringly by Nick Rossi. The 2019 Staples High School graduate — now a student at Boston College — is a veteran of Veteran’s Green. He played and sang at last year’s ceremony.
The mournful brass notes were sounded by Sam Atlas. The 2018 Staples grad is a trumpet major at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she plays in the orchestra, wind ensemble and chamber groups.
Sam Atlas plays “Taps.”
It was a fitting tribute for the man who is Westport’s “Mr. Memorial Day.” And he responded as any soldier would:
It was a Bill Vornkahl tradition to close every Memorial Day ceremony with “It Is The Soldier,” a poem by Charles H. Province. “06880” is honored to post this, in honor of “Mr. Memorial Day,” Bill Vornkahl.
It is the soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of press.
It is the soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Cancer takes an emotional as well as physical toll. Livestrong is a national program that helps cancer patients rebuild cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, increase flexibility, and improve confidence and self-esteem, in a supportive, small group setting.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is launching a new 12-week Livestrong session. It begins February 5, is available to all members of the community — and it’s free.
Program facilitators are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. They focus on personalized recovery plans, to meet each participant’s needs.
Judy Samuels, healthy living manager at the Westport Weston Family, says that Livestrong “holds a special place in my heart as an instructor. There is nothing more meaningful to me than to guide survivors towards an active lifestyle.
“I get to witness not only the physical strength of our participants but also the transformative power of coming together as a community. Although they are all on individual journeys, they thrive as a collective group of friends to overcome the challenges they face.”
Livestrong classes meet twice a week, for 75 minutes each.
Participants also receive a free Y membership for the duration of the program, which includes fitness and aquatics classes. Livestrong is made possible through the support of donors, sponsors and foundation grants.
To register or learn more about Livestrong, click here or email llsamuels@westporty.org. Pre-registration and medical clearance are required to participate.
Tomorrow (Sunday, January 28) at 11 a.m. — and every Sunday at that time until they return — residents are invited to walk, and call for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The event is part of Run for Their Lives, a movement in more than 180 cities worldwide.
“The goal is to bring continued awareness to the hostages representing multiple nationalities still in captivity in Gaza,” organizers say.
“This is not a religious or political event. It’s about innocent civilians being held by terrorists, and not about the war.
“This is a peaceful walk. Children and dogs are welcome.”
For more details and the location of the walk, click here.
Enrollment is open for Connecticut’s biggest kids’ running program.
Kindergarteners through 8th graders are welcome. It meets Sundays (4 to 5:30 p.m. Staples High School Laddie Lawrence Track), from April 21 to June 2. The cost is $75 for Joggers Club members, $125 for non-members (Venmo@CPRCandTJC).
The Joggers Club’s 7-week series includes track, cross country and strength coaching; a parent/kid track meet; an end-of-year party with fun events, an ice cream truck and more, and a free shirt for the first 100 to enroll.
Click here to register, and for more information. Questions? Email TheJoggersClub@gmail.com.
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Club 203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — celebrates Valentine’s Day with a dance (February 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse Lucille Lortel White Barn).
Guests are invited to wear pink or red. They’ll dance to Club 203’s own DJ Joe, and enjoy crafts by MoCA Westport, heart-shaped pizza from Planet Pizza, and desserts from the very talented Avery Horne (a Club 203 member’s mom).
Staples High School Class of 1970 graduate Todd Shepherd died earlier this month in Austin, Texas, where he lived. He was 71.
At Staples he was an accomplished drummer and guitar player. He competed on the swim team, and enjoyed swimming his whole life.
A graduate of Valparaiso University, he had a voracious appetite for the printed word.
His work in sales for General Foods took him to Austin. He continued in sales with the EZ Pawn Corporation and Covert Ford. He moved on to finance, working with the Internal Revenue Service and then as a day trader.
Todd and his late wife Sandy were advocates for animal welfare, and provided homes to animals in need.
Todd is survived by his sister Kathy (Tom) Strang, nephew Matthew Strang, aunt and cousins
Todd’s family thanks the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute, St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital, Circle House (Live Oak Estates), and many physical therapists for the care and compassion they showed Todd during his recovery from a spinal cord injury.
The family also sends “heartfelt, unending love and gratitude to Todd’s friends from childhood, college, Austin and St. Christopher’s for their steadfast love and support through Todd’s final challenge.”
A memorial service is set for St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Austin on February 3 (noon).
In lieu of flowers, donation in Todd’s name can be made to Austin Pets Alive! or St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church capital campaign.
Todd Shepherd
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It was a serendipitous meeting of “06880” photographers.
Michele Sorensen writes: “I met Patricia for the first time on Thursday. It was her birthday. She was walking Levon around Grace Salmon Park, when I stopped to comment on the snoring sound coming from the pond. I’m fairly sure it was a pickerel frog confused by the unseasonably warm weather.
“We started talking about photography, and the wealth of subject matter with the fog and cattails. She told me ‘06880’ often posts her photos.
“She has agreed to help March 10 for our Friends of Sherwood Island Nature Photography Walk.”
Here is the woman behind some of our favorite Pics of the Day, and other shots, at one of both their favorite spots:
Patricia McMahon and Levon (Photo/Michele Sorensen)
And finally … Bill Hayes died this month in California, at 98.
He may be best known for appearing in 2,141 episodes of “Days of Our Lives.” But in 1955 his song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” spent 5 weeks at the top of the charts. It remains seared into the memories of millions of baby boomers. Click here for a full obituary.
(Do you enjoy our daily Roundup — or any other “06880” feature? If so, please support our work with a tax-deductible contribute. Just click here. Thank you!)
This week — purely by coincidence — several photographers whose work often appears as “06880” Pics of the Day have pivoted, with submissions to our online art gallery.
We welcome their work — and all other artists’ too. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Share your work with the world! (PS: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.)
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
“A Weston Window” (Pat Saunders)
“Eye of the Storm” — acrylic and resin (Patricia McMahon)
Untitled — acrylic on canvas (Kirsten Woods)
“Here’s the Little Birdie That Told You So” (Mike Hibbard)
“Westport Marsh” — Artist (and 1972 Staples High School graduate Steve Moen) writes, “As a teenager I worked withWestport artists like Anne Toulmin Rothe, Charlie Reid and Bob Baxter. Three years ago I began working on a series of Westport paintings. I made frequent visits to my parents as they made their way through their senior years. Now I have plenty of pieces to show, and am looking for a place to pitch.”
Untitled — Sherwood Island State Park (Deirdre Kaempfer)
“Last Susan of the Season” (Peter Barlow)
“My Backyard Tree in Winter at Sunset/Moonrise” (Laurie Sorensen)
“Jalopyland” — acrylic on canvas (Jodi Wallace)
Untitled — Indian Rocks Beach, Florida (Matt Murray)
“Pegasus — Not to be Confused With a Unicorn” — pencil drawing on sketching paper (Aerin Stein, 12 years old)
“Working the Phone” (Lawrence Weisman)
“View from Favela do Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro” (Wendy Levy)
Untitled — “Inspired by ‘Open Door Policy,’ Ken Runkel” (Jerry Kuyper)
“Lambchop” (Ken Runkel)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
On January 1, Connecticut’s “Bottle Bill” doubled its deposit to 10 cents.
Sustainable Westport says: “The bottle bill aims to incentivize recycling and proper disposal of beverage containers by attributing a cash value to each container, making it more likely that the containers will be recycled.
“States with bottle bills (we are one of only 10 in the US) have much higher recycling rates for containers than non-bottle bill states.
“The redemption process — separate from curbside recycling — results in less contamination, contributing to higher-quality recycled materials, particularly for plastics.
“Eligible containers include most metal, glass, and plastic beverage containers within specific size ranges for carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. The program covers various beverages, but excludes certain items like paper cartons, pouches, milk, wine and liquor.
“Consumers can redeem containers at stores selling the deposited beverages, including those equipped with self-service reverse vending machines (RVMs). Two near locations to redeem bottles and cans are Stop & Shop and Stew Leonard’s.
“Connecticut’s Bottle Bill laws contribute to the creation of a circular economy by ensuring that valuable resources within these containers are efficiently recycled and reused. This conserves raw materials, and reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing new containers from scratch.
“Beyond its environmental benefits, this legislation fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness regarding waste management. For more information about the new bottle bill and to learn about other redemption options, check out our recent blog.
(“06880” is your go-to local blog, for environmental news and notes. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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