On Friday evening, the Staples High School fieldhouse rocked. Over 120 Service League of Boys members and friends paid $25 each to join an energetic basketball fundraiser.
But the event was even more meaningful, for the many participants who remember Perrin Delorey: an elementary school baseball and hockey player, and Cub Scout. In his honor, Westport Little League presents a Perrin Ryan Delorey Sportsmanship Award each year, to players who model his sportsmanship and team spirit on the field.
Perrin Delorey at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, with Ted Williams. Perrin was a huge Boston Red Sox fan.
He would have been a Staples senior this year.
His friend Philip Sullivan writes:
This evening, I participated in my 4th and final SLOBS basketball fundraiser.
Next spring, the class of 2026 will graduate without our beloved classmate, Perrin Delorey. Tonight’s basketball fundraiser will benefit a scholarship named to honor Perrin’s memory.
Perrin was a 4th grade student at Greens Farms Elementary in 2018 when he died in a car accident shortly before summer break.
As a class, we were devastated. But for me the tragedy struck also at home. Perrin was my first cousin, and my best friend.
Perrin Delorey’s cousin Philip Sullivan (right), with Staples Service League of Boys fundraising chair Zach Gillman.
To preserve his memory, and to honor him by recognizing another member of our class with a Staples Tuition Grant, I am partnering with friends and family to create an endowed award in Perrin’s name.
The first award will be given to a member of the Staples class of 2026 this spring.
We have already raised more than $10,000 toward our goal of $25,000 to establish the award. Last night, the award was the very fortunate beneficiary of the basketball fundraiser.
A huge turnout for the Perrin Delorey Staples Tuition Grants fundraiser.
Many of Perrin’s friends were there, as was Perrin’s and my grandfather, Bill Ryan. He served as one of the referees.
To all who have participated and supported our efforts to grow this award, I extend my warmest thank you. If you would like to contribute directly to the Perrin Ryan Delorey “Do Your Best” Award, please click here.
Congratulations to SLOBs organizers: president Rei Seltzer, fundraising chair Zach Gillman, Philip Sullivan, and all the SLOBs who helped run the event. There are over SLOBs this year. Besides the STG fundraiser, they participate in a wide variety of volunteer projects, all year long.
Congrats too to the basketball champions: Evan Sealove’s team; to all 40 teams of participants, and to all the parent and student volunteers as referees, timers and more.
Thanks too to Pizza Lyfe: donors of 35 pizzas for the hungry crowd.
The winners were all freshmen! From left: Emanuel Linvald, Augie Francis, Brody Chlupsa, Evan Sealove.
Jordan Ginsberg, Sportsmanship Award winner.
Among the many participants: Perrin’s friends (from left) Michael Brennan, Jacob Marcucio and Charlie Curran.
Jen Tooker’s 16 years of service to Westport — as 1st selectwoman, 2nd selectwoman, and a member of the Boards of Finance and Education, and Conservation Commission — were celebrated last night, at Romanacci.
Organized by former 2nd selectwoman Andrea Moore, it brought together people from every chapter of Tooker’s public life.
In the room were former Westport Select Board members Jim Marpe, Avi Kaner and Tammy Pincavage, plus many other elected town officials and longtime friends who worked with her, and admired her dedication.
Tooker was surprised when she walked in, and touched by the outpouring of appreciation. Kaner notes, “there were heartfelt stories, laughter, and genuine gratitude for her steady leadership, warmth and unwavering commitment to Westport and its residents.”
Jen Tookekr (2nd row, 2nd from right, with former 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore and 1st Selectman Jim Marpe), at Romanacci.
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The Westport community has come through — big time.
Yesterday, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Cohen and Lieutenant Rob Lenois — president of the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation — joined volunteers with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
Thanks to the generosity of the Westport community, they donated 1,000 turkeys — and sides — to support a 3-day Great ThankGiving Project event.
Well done, Westport Fire Department — and Westport neighbors!
From left: Tatyana Rozetta, Bridgeport Rescue Mission volunteer manager; Westport Deputy Chief Matt Cohen; Laurie Molner, BRM director of development; Lieutenant Rob Lenois, Westport Firefighter Charitable Foundation president.
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But wait! There’s more! On Wednesday, “06880” posted a story on a partnership between A&S Westport Fine Foods and the Conlon Amendola law firm.
They were donating 50 full Thanksgiving dinners — fresh turkeys, hams and sides — to families at Capital Prep Harbor School in Bridgeport.
They hoped a few readers could provide funds for dessert (pies).
The phones did not stop ringing. Within 24 hours all 50 pies were sponsored, by residents and former Westporters across the country.
Dr. John Corino of Norwalk Dental Arts, and an anonymous loyal A&S customer, added generous donations, allowing the meals to be increased even more.
The meals were prepared by A&S. They were delivered yesterday, then unloaded and distributed by the school’s National Honor Society students.
The drive was so successful, A&S and Conlon Amendola are planning another for Christmas, also for Capital Prep Harbor School.
Come on, “06880” readers! Email chefalpiz@gmail.com to learn how you can help.
From left: Patricia Pizzirusso (A&S), Jacquelyn Conlon and Bonnie Amendola (Conlon Amendola), Chenelle James and Dr. Joan Miller (Capital Prep Harbor School), with a few of the 50 dinners.
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And now, turning to the next big holiday:
The town’s annual tree lighting is set for the Town Hall lawn on Monday, December 1 (5 p.m.).
The Staples High School Orphenians will sing. The Westport Museum for History & Culture provides hot chocolate.
And — as always — little kids will count down to the big reveal.
Let there be (holiday) light! Here’s a look back at 2024. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Westport was one of hundreds of participants yesterday, in the first of 2 “Fall of Freedom” days.
The event — “an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation” — involved galleries, museums, comedy clubs, theaters and concert venues across the country, with exhibitions, performances and pubic events.
Locally, the Westport Library hosted a showing of “The Librarians.” The award-winning 2025 documentary shows an unlikely group standing up as “first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights.”
With just 2 weeks notice, a full house filled the Trefz Forum, for the screening and a discussion. Panelists included (below from left, in photo): Westport screen and stage writer and Columbia University professor Trey Ellis; director/producer Kim A. Snyder; producer Maria Cuomo Cole; Connecticut state librarian Deborah Schander, and author Oliver Radclyffe.
By now, you must have heard of Staples Players’ stupendous production of “Les Misérables.”
The whole town is talking about it.
With a Players record-setting 10-show run, there are 3 more opportunities: today (Saturday, November 22, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, November 23, 2:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
We’ve hailed the 70-plus actors often. They deserve all their kudos, and more.
But let’s not overlook the spectacular 30-piece pit orchestra, or the dozens of students (and adults) who constructed the jaw-dropping set.
We can’t show the musicians. They’re off stage (though hopefully they’ll get a bow tonight or tomorrow).
Speaking of Staples accomplishments: 1991 graduate Lynsey Addario is one of the most acclaimed photojournalists in the world.
The Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Fellow winner has covered famines, civil wars, maternal mortality and more for National Geographic (among many others).
As part of the “Ask a Nat Geo Expert Anything” series, Addario speaks answered questions about the perils of her work, the personal price she pays, and how to get into photography.
Staples High School Class of 2008 graduate Leo Stagg is listed as “Head Automation” for the production.
We’re not not sure what that means. But it comes right after “Head Carpenter,” and just before “Head and Deck Electrician.” So Leo — who learned his tech chops with Staples Players — is one of the many unheralded crew members, without whom the curtain could not rise. (Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
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Bob Weingarten spotted — and sends along — today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
He writes: “I just saw these trees changing from summer into winter, at Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South. Amazing how uniform the change is.”
Patricia McMahon’s scrumptious Thanksgiving-themed image leads this week’s online art gallery.
A few autumnal artworks follow. Plus the usual eclectic array of drawings, photos and more.
It’s another Saturday show. Thanks for stopping by, and admiring our “06880” artists.
You can join them! No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Tablescaping” (Patricia McMahon — Available for sale; click here)
“Our Maple in Autumn” (Jamie Walsh)
“Autumn Path” (Dayle Brownstein)
“Reservoir Reflections” (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Eric Bosch)
“Hiking Along the Massif de l’Esterel” — watercolor (Kathleen Burke; Available for purchase; click here)
“Neap Tide” (Lawrence Weisman)
“The Beautiful Game” — Morocco (Tom Kretsch)
Untitled (June Rose Whittaker)
Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “Aaah! You’re a vicious cut-up! We’re ‘deheaded’ to the compost pit!”
“Clowning Around” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)
“Oh, Nurse!” — graphite (Steve Stein)
“Mother Dear” — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
If you were alive on November 22, 1963 — and were over, say, 5 years old — you understand how dramatically, and traumatically, America shifted that day.
If you weren’t, there is no way you can comprehend it.
The murder of President Kennedy was a horrific, galvanizing moment in time. It happened 62 years ago today, but I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was in 5th grade. Since September my friends and I had walked to and from school. We gathered on High Point Road, cut through the Staples High School athletic fields and parking lot, sauntered down North Avenue, walked across open farmland, and arrived at Burr Farms Elementary.
We were like the “Stand By Me” boys: talking about kid stuff, reveling in our independence, figuring out each other and the world, in a world that would soon mightily change.
Minutes before school ended that beautiful Friday, the teacher from next door burst into our room. “Kennedy got killed!” she yelled. A girl broke into spontaneous applause. Her father was a leading Republican in town.
Our teacher slapped her face.
Usually, our teacher wished us a happy weekend. That day the bell rang, and we just left. No one knew how to interpret her reaction. We’d never seen a teacher hit a student before.
Then again, we’d never heard of our president being murdered.
As my friends and I gathered for our ritual walk home, we suddenly had Something Big to talk about. For the first time in our lives, we discussed news. We had no details, but already we sensed that the world we knew would never be the same.
That vague feeling was confirmed the moment we walked down the exit road, into the Staples parking lot. School had been out for an hour, but clots of students huddled around cars, listening to radios. Girls sobbed — boys, too. Their arms were wrapped around each other, literally clinging together for support. I’d never seen one teenager cry. Now there were dozens.
At home, I turned on the television. Black-and-white images mirrored the scene at Staples a few minutes earlier. Newscasters struggled to contain their emotions; men and women interviewed in the street could not.
The president was dead. Now it was true. I saw it on TV.
Walter Cronkite on CBS, announcing the death of President Kennedy.
My best friend, Glenn, slept over that night. The television was on constantly. The longer I watched, the more devastated I became.
John F. Kennedy was the first president I knew. My father had taken me to a campaign rally in Bridgeport 3 years earlier. I could not articulate it then, but I admired JFK’s energy, was inspired by his youthfulness, and vowed to grow up and (like him) make a difference.
Now he was dead.
Bill Mauldin captured the grief of a nation.
Saturday was rainy and blustery. I watched more TV. Like most Americans, I was obsessed by this unfolding tragedy. Like them too I had no idea that the impact of that weekend would remain, seared in my brain and heart, more than 6 decades later.
Sunday was the first day I cried. The raw emotions of all the adults around — in the streets of Westport, and on the television screen — finally overwhelmed me. I cried for the dead president, my fallen hero; for his widow and children; for everyone else who looked so sad and vulnerable.
Then — right after noon — Jack Ruby killed Lee Harvey Oswald. Once again I sat transfixed by the TV. I was stunned, and scared.
Monday was a brilliant fall day. President Kennedy was laid to rest under a crisp, cloudless sky. The unforgettably moving ceremony was watched by virtually everyone in the world with access to a television.
To my everlasting regret, I did not see it live. Glenn said we could not sit inside on a day off from school. Rather than risk being called a nerd (or whatever word we used in 1963), I chose playing touch football at Staples over watching history. I was in 5th grade. What did I know?
The coffin, at Arlington National Cemetery.
The next day we went back to school. The Staples parking lot looked exactly as it had before that fateful Friday. Our teacher never said a word about slapping the girl who cheered President Kennedy’s assassination.
Thanksgiving arrived on schedule 2 days later. At our dinner — like every other table in America — the adults tried to steer the conversation away from the awful events that had consumed us for nearly a week.
In the days and months to come — as the country slowly, painfully, pulled itself out of its collective, overwhelming grief — I devoured everything about President Kennedy I could find. I saved Life, Look,Saturday Evening Post. I ordered the Warren Commission report. Like so many others I still have it all, somewhere.
In the years that followed, my admiration for the young, slain president grew, then ebbed. But it never died. He remained my political hero: the first president I ever knew, cared about, was mesmerized by, and mourned.
When President Kennedy was killed, journalist Mary McGrory said, “We’ll never laugh again.” Daniel Patrick Moynihan — who worked for JFK — replied, “Mary, we will laugh again. But we will never be young again.”
Sixty-two years ago this morning, I was a young 5th grader without a care in the world.
Walking home that afternoon, I could never not care again.
As Westport prepares for the holiday season, merchants urge: “Please shop local! Choose us over the internet!”
it’s not the first time they’ve made that request.
Nearly 80 years ago — in 1947 — illustrator Howard Munce drew this map of Main Street and State Street (Post Road) retailers.
It was headlined: “Shop Westport First.”
It’s hard to see all the stores. I’m not sure if any of them are still here.
But you get the idea. They’ll last a lot longer if we give them our business.
(Image courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
As the weather cools down, Wakeman Town Farm heats up.
On the calendar:
“Wreath-making Class” (December 10, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Create a custom wreath using local berries and natural materials. Beginners to seasoned crafters welcome.
“Warm Bites for Cold Nights”(Grades 2-6; 2 different 5-week sessions, 4:15 to 5:30 p.m., beginning in January): Hearty, hands-on dishes, with kids-safe techniques.
“Winter Cooking for the Minis” (Grades K-2; 6 Monday sessions, 4:15 to 5:30 p.m., beginning in December):
“Frosty Bites and Holiday Treats Cooking Class for Kids” (Ages 6-12; December 12, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).
“Warm & Cozy Winter Desserts”baking class (adults; December 18, 6:30 to 9 p.m.). For beginning to intermediate bakers; BYOB.
And on January 24, the Sweet Remains take the stage.
Greg Naughton’s folk-rock trio — with their acoustic sound, 3-part harmonies and 65 million Spotify streams — performs January 24 (8 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Westport’s Jewish Business Network hosts Melissa Bernstein — the co-founder of legendary toy company Melissa & Doug, and the wellness brand Lifelines — for a celebration of her new book, “The Heart of Entrepreneurship.”
Stephanie Phillips was the guest speaker at Tuesday’s Westport Rotary Club.
The district governor applauded members for their leadership in categories including foundation giving and membership growth, and their energy supporting community initiatives.
That good work was clear, as Rotary Club members supported the Westport Fire Department’s winter clothing drive.
Stephanie Phillips, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Sure, it’s almost Thanksgiving. But fall foliage continues to hang on in Westport … and to awe us.
We give thanks for this spectacular scene on Highland Road — and to JD Dworkow, for capturing it as today’s “Westport … Naturally feature photo.
And finally … on this date in 1877, Thomas Edison announced his invention of the phonograph: a machine that could record and play sound.
On this same date in 1959, disc jockey Alan Freed — the man who popularized the term “rock and roll” — was fired by New York’s WABC radio. He was alleged to have participated in a payola scandal.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source of news, events, photos and much more — 24/7/365. These Roundup songs are icing on the cake. If you enjoy any of it, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
Creativity, passion, entrepreneurship, risk — and $25,000 — were on the line last night.
A full house packed the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum, for StartUp Westport’s first-ever Pitch Competition.
Two healthcare companies, a tax platform for college athletes, a healthy and environmentally conscious mushroom-based snack, and a new marketplace for wheels were the 5 ideas pitched by eager teams of young hopefuls, in a “Shark Tank”-like scenario.
The 4 judges — all experienced entrepreneurs — headed off stage, to deliberate.
The audience used a QR code, for their own (non-binding) vote. The wheels marketplace — WheelPrice — edged out a device that personalizes and simplifies breast cancer detection, 34% to 31%.
The judges stepped back on stage. They agreed: WheelPrice won the $20,000 non-dilutive first prize.
But all the entrepreneurs were winners. The other 4 split the remaining $5,000.
Energy was high, in the half hour before the formal pitches began. The 5 finalists each had a table.
They’d been culled from 77 applicants, and semi-finalists. For months they’d honed their ideas, and been mentored by StartUp Westport volunteers.
Criteria included a pre-institutional funding round; an existing corporation in an evaluable category; a Connecticut-based founder or strong state association, and a scalable business model.
Each hopeful had 6 minutes to pitch judges Kira Vanderwert, Kal Amin, Matt Gorin and Cliff Sirlin — all experienced venture investors — and 6 minutes to answer probing questions about the problem being addressed, market size, revenue model, competitive advantage and more.
A team from the University of Connecticut pitched ChromaShield. The wearable patch and monitoring platform reduces complications of skin damage from chemotherapy, like radiation dermatitis and foot ulcers.
ChromaShield
Nexa Tax, created by a former University of Bridgeport athlete, is an app that helps college athletes manage the tax aspects of their “name, image and likeness” earnings. As the number of those students grows, their tax burdens will too. But, the founder says, too few of those athletes know how to handle them.
Nexa Tax
Mirabelle — “breast health, in your hands” — is a device by which women can detect and monitor themselves for breast cancer. It’s also a tool for healthcare providers in underserved areas. The founders, with Cornell University roots, added humor to the serious nature of their company (they call beta testers “the titty committee”).
Mirabelle
WheelPrice addressed a problem unknown to many in audience: how to manage the marketplace for car wheels. Like sneakers and watches, it’s a niche filled with fanatics. But right now, the UConn founder says, there are 620,000 wheels listed online “chaotically.” His platform “reinvents the wheel … marketplace.”
WheelPrice
NeuroPuffs were created by Yale University graduate students. The product — mushrooms and upcycled food waste, dried using a special process, coated in real powdered cheese, and packed in compostable bags — provides “guilt-free snacking.” They’re “good for the brain, kind to the planet.”
NeuroPuffs
The decision was tough, the judges said. All the ideas were “impressive, inspiring, and solving real problems.”
But WheelPrice had the best business model. It seemed the most scalable. Its pitch was most impressive.
WheelPrice founders (5th and 6th from left), with StartUp Westport Pitch director Peter Propp (4th from left), and other entrepreneurs, plus StartUp Westport co-founder Cliff Sirlin (2nd from right) and Coastal Bridge partner Bill Loftus (far right). (All photos/Dan Woog)
Still: Keep your eye out for the other 4 startups too.
The crowd of 400 included many fellow entrepreneurs — and investors.
The wheels in their heads were turning, as each founder gave their pitch.
(“06880” covers business, technology, Westport organizations, and much more. If you like stories like this — where they all come together — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
For months, non-profits across the country have been battered.
The Trump administration has slashed funding — or eliminated it entirely — for a vast array of services: youth, international aid, health and wellness, immigration, environmental, civil rights, housing, food, education, arts.
Some organizations have severely cut programs, and/or laid off staff. Some have closed entirely.
Many Americans want to help. But it’s hard to know which groups are affected.
There has been no central resource to identify exactly which programs need help.
Until now.
Charity Bridge Fund is a new non-partisan initiative. It closes the gap created by reduced federal funding.
And one of its key players is a Westporter.
Content and communications manager Isabelle Pieper — a Staples High School Class of 2014 graduate — has a background in strategic planning and analysis. In her higher education career, she managed high-level donor and board operations, and generated campaign strategy.
Isabelle Pieper
She is excited by her new opportunity at Charity Bridge. It’s a way to combine her interest in charitable giving, with her work in technology.
It’s also a chance to work with the organization’s founder and executive director, Kendall Webb. The Weston resident also started More.com, an early e-commerce sites, and Just Give, one of the internet’s first non-profit donation platforms.
Pieper talks to individual donors and donor advised funds.
She does outreach too to organizations across the country. They’re all sizes — from large ones like Save the Children, to much smaller ones like a tribal electrification project.
The Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany, New York has lost employees, and seen programs halted.
Charity Bridge is also working with 2 media outlets: New York Public Radio and Rocky Mountain Public Media.
Pieper is excited that, though still in its nascent stage, the fund has secured a matching grant. All donations up to $10,000 will be equaled, through November.
The first distribution of funds will be made next month.
Charity Bridge already lists 68 projects. Donors can search the site by category to find one or more that resonate, or seem particularly noteworthy or needed.
There is no fee to be listed.
“We’re a non-profit ourselves,” Pieper notes. Charity Bridge will apply for grants to cover their own operational expenses. Donors can also tip Charity Bridge, during the checkout process.
The biggest challenge — one familiar to every non-profit — is finding donors, and getting them to respond.
Meanwhile, whatever funds they raise for non-profits in need will not be enough.
“People will see the effects of the services they’ll lose very quickly. Non-profits make a difference in every community,” Pieper says.
“The current cuts will cause a ripple effect for generations to come,” she adds.
And those ripples will continue to spread. The Trump administration has signaled that more cuts lie ahead, in the next fiscal year.
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Energy was high, in the half hour before the formal pitches began. The 5 finalists each had a table.
