Like many people, Heather Wirkus loves crime shows. And, like many, she dreamed of being an FBI agent.
For a while, she thought she was doing the next best thing: teaching Forensics at Staples High School. She helps students learn criminal investigative procedures and lab techniques. They work on case studies, discuss ethical issues, and listen to guest speakers.
One of those speakers inspired Wirkus to take another step. Now she’s really done the next best thing: She took the intense FBI Citizens Academy course.
She’s eager to spread the word about what’s she learned. And to inspire students to consider some of the many FBI career opportunities.
Heather Wirkus, with her FBI Citizens Academy certificate.
The Citizens Academy course meets every Thursday for 3 hours, at the field office in New Haven. It normally takes 6 weeks.
But after Wirkus’ first class in February 2020, COVID struck. The program was shut down for 18 months. It resumed in September.
Entering the Citizens Academy entailed more background checks and clearances than she needed to get her teaching job, Wirkus says. Because she was entering a secure facility, she could not bring any technology. Her car was checked for bombs — just like in crime shows.
Once inside, Wirkus and her fellow students had many eye-opening experiences.
They learned about human intelligence gathering, domestic terrorism, violent gangs, cybersecurity, crisis negotiations, SWAT teams, public corruption, civil rights, human trafficking and victim assistance programs.
Heather Wirkus and her FBI Citizens Academy classmates.
Wirkus was the only teacher in the group. Her classmates came from all walks of life, and all over Connecticut.
All were there for the same reason: to learn more about the FBI, then build relationships in their communities and workplaces in ways that special agents can’t.
So what did she learn?
“Everything!” Wirkus says.
Her main takeaway, though, is that the general public sees only “the outer shell” of the FBI. “We don’t realize how many layers there are to protecting our nation.”
The FBI offers a high school version of its Citizens Academy: the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy, for 20 teenagers around the state each year. Wirkus is encouraging her students to apply.
She’ll never be an FBI special agent. For one thing, the maximum age to apply is 36. For another, she loves her job as a Staples Forensics teacher.
But now, as she does it, an FBI Citizens Academy certificate hangs on the wall.
More than 90% of family-owned businesses never make it to the 3rd generation.
Mitchells is headed to its 4th.
That’s no accident. Two of the keys to the steady growth, continued success — and future — of the men’s clothing store founded in 1958 by Ed and Norma Mitchell (which now includes women’s wear, and other locations on both coasts) are the founders’ sons, Bill and Jack Mitchell.
The other day, Bill — a 1962 Staples High School graduate, and still a proud Westporter — sat down for the latest “06880” podcast.
The clothier/civic volunteer/philanthropist/all-around good guy describes the 6-decade back story of Mitchell’s. He talks about Westport, then and now. He looks at the current state of retailing here, and its future.
And he does it all with his typical self-deprecating wit, intriguing stories and great enthusiasm.
Click below to hear the newest “06880” podcast. You’ll learn — and laugh — a lot.
Ann Sharon Weiner died peacefully earlier this month, at 81. She lost a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at her Westport home, with her family by her side. She was a noted artist and, with her late husband Sidney, sponsors of A Better Chance of Westport’s Glendarcy House on North Avenue.
Ann and Sidney’s 50-year marriage was considered the “paragon of devotion” by family and friends.
A New York City native, Ann earned undergraduate and graduate studies in fine arts at Queens College. She pursued careers as a high school art teacher, and the designer/art director for Sportswear by Pronto and Ann W. She received several fashion industry awards before devoting herself full time to a career as an exhibiting artist.
Ann’s most recent exhibit, “When Caged Birds Sing,” reflects her passion as a women’s advocate. It opened in 2017 at Brown University and is now a permanent exhibit at MoCA Westport.
Ann received the Silvermine Living Art Award for her impact on the art community.
Ann was also a philanthropist. In addition to sponsoring A Better Chance’s Glendarcy House with her husband, she worked tirelessly with Amnesty International,
Ann was predeceased by her husband Sidney and their 2 adult children, Darcy and Glenn. She is survived by her children Gregory and Devin Weiner of Norwalk; her long-time loving friend Paul Burger, niece Stacy Waldman Bass and nephew David Waldman, both of Westport ; nephews Jay and Todd Myers, and countless friends whose lives she touched.
American Red Cross is experiencing a blood emergency. To help, Joseph J. Clinton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 hosts a blood drive. It’s set for Wednesday (November 17, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 465 Riverside Avenue).
For an appointment, click here (use sponsor code VFWWestport), or call 800-733-2767.
Donors who give blood by November 23 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email.
And finally … on this day in 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman began his famous March to the Sea.
Between today — when he captured Atlanta — and December 21, when he took over the port of Savannah — he and his Union troops destroyed military targets, industry, infrastructure, and civilian property, and disrupted the Confederacy’s ransportation networks. It was a major turning point in the war.
Tonight at 7:30, Jen Tooker will be sworn in as Westport’s 1st selectwoman. She was Marpe’s deputy for the past 4 years, but she’ll bring a new style and tone — and perhaps some new policies — to the job.
Yet before Marpe hands over his key (or swipe card, or however else he gets into Town Hall), let’s pause and say “thanks!”
Jim Marpe, at last May’s Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Thank you, Jim, for coming out of retirement — after a career at Accenture — to bring your managerial and organizational skills to Westport.
Thank you for overseeing every aspect of town — business and residential; police, fire and EMS; transportation; recreation, and so much more — with professionalism and expertise. You always had the best interests of our community at heart.
Thank you for handling too many weather emergencies — blizzards, wind storms, nor’easters, Isaias — with calmness and competence.
Thank you for handling the biggest emergency of all — COVID — well too. We were one of the nation’s first super-spreaders. No leader anywhere knew exactly what to do. An early decision to close the beach created a huge backlash. But the virus never spiraled out of control here. Eighteen months later, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
In early March 2020, 1st Selectman Marpe convened a panel at the Westport Library to discuss the coming threat of COVID. Mask wearing had not yet become mandatory. Four days later, Marpe shut the town down.
Thank you for keeping our mill rate so stable. The state and nation has been whipsawed by economic volatility. But throughout the Marpe administration, our taxes have been remarkably low. (Don’t believe me? Ask friends in neighboring towns — or Westchester or Long Island.)
The first selectman does not have direct control over education. But thank you for your previous service on the Board of Education. Our school district is in great shape. Thank you for all you have done to keep it that way.
Thank you for being always present, all the time. You joked about the oversized scissors you bring to every new store and restaurant ribbon cutting. But your presence touched every part of Westport.
1st Selectman Jim Marpe (2nd from left) proclaims Pizza Month in Westport.
You were there for so many of my own events: our annual “06880” party at Compo, and Staples boys soccer team car washes and banquets (even though it’s across the border, at the Norwalk Inn).
Many other Westporters have been heartened by your presence too, at their concerts, plays, fundraisers, ceremonies, meetings, you name it. Your presence meant a lot, to all of us.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas, First Selectman Jim Marpe and organizer Andy Berman bang out pushups at a charity event.
I did not agree with all of your decisions. No one ever does. (Probably not even your wife and constant supporter, Mary Ellen.)
But you always listened carefully, to all your constituents. You treated us all with respect, no matter what our point of view or political party.
Politicians in Washington and Hartford could learn a lot from what you’ve done in Westport. We are a better town for your service.
I’m glad you’re not going anywhere (other than to spend more time with your grandson). I look forward to seeing you around town — and at the “06880” picnic.
1st Selectman Jim Marpe at the 2018 “06880” party.
PS: It may seem that Jim Marpe never took a vacation. But every once in a while, he snuck away. A couple of years ago, he went on a Tauck Tour to Alaska. Robin Tauck was on the cruise. I thought that would make a great story.
But Jim asked me not to say anything. He didn’t want people to know he was not available here, 24/7/365. Now it can be told.
Not every “06880” reader will get every Photo Challenge.
You probably have to live here, for one. (Or have an elephant’s memory.)
For another, you must be familiar with many different parts of town. Last week, for instance: the Longshore golf course.
Richard Hyman’s image showed the 10th tee, near the halfway house. Nothing about the shot — a bench, a tree stump, a “Keep Off” sign — suggested golf. (Click here to see.)
So sue me. Mike Stuttman, Pete Powell, Ed Creevy, Jonathan McClure and Fred Rubin all correctly identified the site. Fore!
This week’s Photo Challenge does not require any golf clubs. It does, however, require knowledge of Westport.
If you know where in town you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
900 kids showed up yesterday at the Staples High School fieldhouse.
Most came willingly, even eagerly. A few had to be dragged in.
All were 5 to 11 years old — and now all are vaccinated against COVID. They enjoyed (appreciated? tolerated?) a clinic sponsored by Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
Westport’s Emergency Medical Services personnel, and Community Emergency Response Team, were on hand to help. So were Westport Public School nurses, assistant superintendent of schools John Bayers, and State Senator Will Haskell.
The youngsters were given balloons. Most smiled. Their parents smiled too — with relief.
State Senator Will Haskell and Long Lots Elementary School nurse Max Zimmer, at yesterday’s clinic. (Photo/Dan Woog)
What an exciting time to be a Staples High School soccer fan! The boys and girls teams won 3 state tournament games each last week. Both have roared into the semifinals.
Yesterday, the 6th-seeded Wrecker boys team knocked off #3 Fairfield Prep, 1-0. Reese Watkins power-headed Matthew Jordan’s corner kick in the second half. Outstanding defense by Bruno Guiduli, Jackson Hochhauser, Caleb Tobias, Hunter Smith, Jack Foster and keeper Jacob Greenberger secured the win. The boys face Farmington in the semis,
The girls also won off a corner kick, against Farmington on Thursday. Neva Mermagen nailed Maddie Sansone’s cross for the dramatic overtime game winner. The Wreckers meet Fairfield Warde in their semifinal match.
Both games will be played at neutral sites, later this week. Days, times and sites have not yet been announced.
Reese Watkins (left) celebrates his goal against Fairfield Prep with (from left) Dylan Hoke, Murilo Moreno, Tim Liakh and Hunter Smith. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)
Hungry for another Westport Library’s Trefz Newsmakers Series conversation?
The series — featuring Emmy-winning CBS News justice and security correspondent (and 1988 Staples High School graduate) Jeff Pegues — continues next month, with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. It’s set for the Trefz Forum on December 2 (7 p.m.).
Samuelsson is the chef behind restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem, Red Rooster Shoreditch and Marcus B&P. He was the youngest person to ever receive a 3-star review from The New York Times, and has won multiple James Beard Foundation Awards.
A noted philanthropist, Samuelsson co-produces the annual week-long festival Harlem EatUp!. He also co-chairs the Careers through Culinary Arts program.
The Trefz Newsmakers Series is free. To register for a seat, click here.
“The Band’s Visit” continues its national tour at the Bushnell in Hartford this week.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Staples High School 2013 graduate Clay Singer. The former Players star plays Itzik — unemployed, raising an infant with a frustrated wife — with “aching honesty.”
The Tony Award-winning show runs November 16-21. Click here for more information, and tickets.
Westporter Jacquelin Mullin died peacefully after a brief illness last week, with her sons at her side.
She spent her childhood in Bronxville, New York. After graduating from Pace Business School Jacquie married her high school beau, Gerard Mullin, in 1946, They lived in Florida and Illinois and New Canaan. Their growing family moved to Westport in 1954.
Jacquie raised their 3 sons while Gerry worked in NYC. She volunteered in Westport schools. Her active boys kept her busy transporting them to sports events, dealing with a menagerie of wild “pets,” and worrying about motorcycle mishaps.
Divorced in 1973, Jacquie remained in her Westport home and entered the workplace as an administrative assistant, working her way through a number of marketing positions until she retired from GTE.
She also volunteered with the Westport Historical Society, Westport Woman’s Club and Nature Center (now Earthplace), among others.
She was a devoted gardener. In later years she surrounded herself with flowering plants on her deck, where she spent many hours.
She traveled extensively with friends and family members. Proud of her Irish heritage, visiting “the auld sod” was an important journey. She was inseparable from her beloved cars, driving solo south each winter to visit friends and family.
She also enjoyed Compo Beach, watching the ever-changing seasons of children, dogs and beach walkers.
With her sons grown, her best times centered on sharing a meal or driving adventures with old friends from work, and new friends from all walks of life. Her family thanks everyone who enriched her life with their companionship and wit, and to the aides that made her later-life lunches possible.
Family was the center of Jacquie’s existence. She hosted holiday dinners until the younger generation took over, and kept track of everyone’s birthdays. She was pre-deceased by her former husband (1997), her middle son Randall James Mullin (2017), and daughter-in-law Audrey (Albright) Mullin (2005).
She is survived by her brother, John Sheedy Jr. of New York City and Red Rock, New York; sisters Marie Ponce of Charlotte and Marguerite Adams of Garrison, New York; sons Jeffrey (Joan Hall) of Bourne, Massachusetts and Scott of Ridgefield; daughter-in-law Jackie Mullin of Neptune Beach, Florida; grandchildren Amy and Brian Mullin; great-grandchild Ethan Mullin, plus nieces, nephews, and their children:
A private graveside service will be held at Assumption Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society; Wakeman Town Farm, or Earthplace. Her family adds: “Plant perennial flowers in your garden in her memory!”
The past couple of weeks have been spectacular.* This has been one of the most astonishing, longest-lasting autumns I can recall. Every day brings new beauty.
Soon, of course, all the leaves will be underfoot. That’s the way it happens. Trees will be bare, and before we know it the snow will fly.
Before that happens, here’s a special gallery: Fall in Westport and Weston, 2021.
Bookmark this page. You’ll want to see it in mid-February, 2022.
*Not counting yesterday afternoon.
Devil’s Den (Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Whitney Street (Molly Alger)
Japanese maples, outside Jerry Kuyper’s office on Rayfield Road. (Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
Longshore (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
Iris Lane, Greens Farms (Elena Nasereddin)
Joann Circle (Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
Mayflower Parkway (Photo/Amy Schneider)
Finally, a rare fall rainbow over Dogwood Lane, yesterday. (Photo/Eric Roth)
Longshore entrance road, looking toward South Compo. Photographer Elisabeth Lewey says, “This is my 4th fall here since moving from South Africa. I still can’t quite process the beauty of fall colors.”
Same view, opposite direction. (Photo/Joe Massoud)
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